Mechanisms of Plastic Degradation (Abiotic & Biotic): An Approach for Sustainable Environment Development.

A paradigm shift from passive persistence to active, expedited removal is required due to the massive production volumes and structurally flawed waste management that are causing the global accumulation of plastic garbage. This study confirms that the key to the solution is to create synergistic hybrid systems that carefully combine biotic machinery with abiotic factors. Biological agents cannot access industrial plastics due to their high molecular weight and crystallinity. Therefore, in order to create bioavailable oligomers, abiotic activities like photodegradation and chemical glycolysis must act as the crucial chemical activator, functionalizing the surface and quickly lowering the molecular weight. The critical step of assimilation and full mineralization is accomplished in the following biotic phase, which is supported by specialized, designed enzymes (PETases, LMS) and housed within Synthetic Microbial Consortia (SMCs).