Researchers are developing 3D-printed cookies made from plastic waste using genetically engineered microbes. The process breaks down PET plastic into edible proteins and fats, aiming to provide food for astronauts and reduce plastic pollution on Earth. While promising, the current production cost is high at $60 per kilogram, and the product awaits regulatory approval for human consumption. The technology, called microbites, won a NASA Deep Space Food Challenge in 2021. Scientists hope to lower costs and scale up production, but significant hurdles remain in energy inputs, lifecycle emissions, and commercial viability. This story highlights an innovative intersection of waste management, food security, and sustainability, though practical deployment is still years away.
