Harnessing microbial power to degrade hydrocarbon-based plastics

The growing global plastic waste crisis demands the development of urgent, effective, and sustainable solutions. While conventional recycling methods present intrinsic limitations, microbial biodegradation of plastic waste has emerged as a promising alternative. In this review, we explore the potential of using microorganisms to degrade major hydrocarbon-based plastic polymers and discuss key aspects of this rapidly advancing field, including (ⅰ) isolation and characterization of novel microorganisms and enzymes in hydrocarbon-based plastic biodegradation, (ⅱ) development and streamlining of microbial consortia to improve hydrocarbon-based plastic biodegradation efficiency, and (ⅲ) investigation of natural biodegradation processes to illustrate the relationship between plastic degradation and environmental influence. We highlight practical biotechnological approaches and advanced computational tools in hydrocarbon-based plastic degradation, as hydrocarbon-based plastic represents the highest proportion of plastic waste while still lacking effective conversion strategies. Our ultimate goal is to integrate microbial biodegradation strategies into modern waste-management systems and offer a feasible pathway toward a circular bioeconomy, one in which persistent plastic polymers are no longer treated as waste but are converted into renewable feedstocks that support sustainable resource recovery.