Ep 7. Plastic Eating Enzyme

The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation is a television series that explores the latest innovations and inventions, and how they impact our lives. In this episode of season 6, episode 7 titled "Plastic Eating Enzyme," the show features an innovation that could potentially revolutionize the way we deal with plastic waste.

The episode begins with a brief overview of the plastic waste crisis that our planet is facing. Millions of tons of plastic waste are produced every year, and only a small portion of it is recycled. The rest ends up in landfills and oceans, where it can take hundreds of years to decompose. The show then introduces us to a group of scientists who are working on a solution to this problem - a plastic-eating enzyme.

The scientists discovered the enzyme in a landfill in Japan, where it was helping to break down the plastic waste. They then used genetic engineering to make the enzyme even more effective at breaking down plastic. The result is a enzyme that breaks down plastic bottles, cups and other waste in a matter of weeks, instead of hundreds of years.

The show then takes us through the process of how the enzyme works. We see the enzyme being added to a plastic bottle, and then watch as the bottle disintegrates in just a few weeks. The scientists behind the enzyme hope that it can be used on a larger scale, to help reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and oceans.

The episode also features other innovations related to the environment and sustainability. We are introduced to a company that is using recycled styrofoam to create building blocks. The blocks are strong and lightweight, and can be used to build houses and other structures. The company hopes that this innovation will help reduce the amount of styrofoam waste that ends up in landfills.

We also see a portable wind turbine that can be used to generate electricity in remote areas. The turbine is small and lightweight, and can be easily transported to places where it is needed. This innovation could be particularly useful in developing countries, where access to electricity is limited.

The episode ends with a reminder of the importance of innovation in solving the world's problems. Whether it's finding new ways to deal with plastic waste, creating sustainable building materials, or generating clean energy, innovation is key to a better future for our planet.

In conclusion, "Plastic Eating Enzyme" is a fascinating episode of The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation that showcases the potential of innovation to address one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time. The plastic-eating enzyme, along with the other innovations featured in the episode, serve as a reminder of the power of human ingenuity to create solutions to complex problems.