Any type of waste is a potential, low-cost raw material; processing it through biotechnological or chemical methods to create valuable products could become a “gold mine” for the industry. This was stated to TASS by Antonina Stepacheva, a Candidate of Chemical Sciences and Associate Professor in the Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Standardization at Tver State Technical University (TvSTU).
According to Stepacheva, while materials like plastic are currently rarely processed using biotechnologies, research is already underway into breaking them down with the help of microorganisms. In the future, any organic-based waste could serve as a valuable raw material for producing in-demand goods.
“Any waste is a potential, low-cost raw material; therefore, incorporating it into a technological cycle—whether through biotechnological or chemical methods—could, in a sense, be called a ‘gold mine,'” the researcher noted.
The TvSTU expert explained that waste is generally categorized into organic and mineral types. Organic waste—such as peels, sawdust, or food scraps—is particularly well-suited for biotechnological processing. Currently, such waste is often processed enzymatically: enzymes secreted by bacteria and fungi break down cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin to yield valuable products. “To put it simply, these are the same processes that occur within our own bodies.” “In addition to enzymatic processing, living cells—that is, the microorganisms themselves—are also used,” the scientist explained.
The expert noted that it is not currently possible to fully recycle many types of industrial waste, particularly mineral waste. However, science is advancing, and in a few decades, the range of materials that can be recycled will expand significantly.
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