Hard to recycle plastics have long been a huge problem, Plastic Pollution in the environment, while they can be recycled and that is a big focus in many countries, what about the already heavily polluted areas and the effect on wildlife?

Some of the best inventions have been accidents and it looks like this is one of those times as scientists have ‘accidentally’ created an enzyme that can digest plastics, what an amazing thing, maybe it was fate, maybe even a higher force…

Japanese researchers discovered, in 2016, that a naturally evolved bacterium was present in a rubbish dump in Japan amongst the Plastic Pollution, it had the ability to eat the plastic and digest the polyethylene, it made headlines…

This new research was brought about by that initial discovery in 2016 and scientists have now discovered that there is a crucial enzyme involved the process.

Scientists are also now able to show us the structure of the enzyme that the bacterium uses to break down the plastic.

Plastic Pollution In and Around The Oceans

Amongst the plastics, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is a perfect material for things like water bottles, its light, and colorless, very durable and strong.

Being virtually indestructible against microbes is a really great property of the material for commercial use, but also a huge problem too as it doesn’t degrade for 100’s of years, its a real pollutant of the environment…

The Dangers Of Plastic Pollution with Plastic Straws

That is not even considering that plastic straws are incredibly dangerous for sea turtles, where the straws can become lodged up the nose of a sea turtle and cause the turtle great suffering.

The University of Portsmouth and the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory have been working to get a better understanding of how the bacteria are able to break down the plastics.

During their studies of the bacteria, the scientists accidentally created a super enzyme from the bacteria that was even more potent and much more effective than the bacteria itself.

The enzyme they made can break down plastics in a few short days, compares to the 100’s of years or more that it would naturally begin to degrade in the oceans.

The team of researchers now seek a patent on the enzyme so they will be able to continue to research it and develop it, potentially increasing its effectiveness commercial usage too.

Enzymes are quite natural and non-toxic, also being biodegradable they are a new and enlightened way we might be able to now process recycling plastic in the millions of tons that are just polluting the planet in its current form!

A Revolution In Plastic Recycling

Its hoped that the enzyme can be developed to turn the plastic into its original components and it can then be used to create more plastics in an environmentally friendly way, so no more digs for oil.

This move has the potential to greatly reduce the plastics present in the environment today and for the future years to come, what an awesome breakthrough!

Professor McGeehan, Director of the Institute of Biological and Biomedical Sciences in the School of Biological Sciences at Portsmouth, said:

“The engineering process is much the same as for enzymes currently being used in bio-washing detergents and in the manufacture of biofuels.”

“The technology exists and it’s well within the possibility that in the coming years we will see an industrially viable process to turn PET and potentially other substrates like PEF, PLA, and PBS, back into their original building blocks so that they can be sustainably recycled.”

“Serendipity often plays a significant role in fundamental scientific research and our discovery here is no exception”

“Although the improvement is modest, this unanticipated discovery suggests that there is room to further improve these enzymes, moving us closer to a recycling solution for the ever-growing mountain of discarded plastics.”

What an amazing discovery, SHARE the great new and also raise awareness about plastics in the environment!

This wonderful and amazing animation depicts the arrival of the gentle warmth in the air, the team have really created a captivating rendition of a children’s poem…

The children’s poem is beautifully recreated in the 3D world of the animals, with gorgeous backdrops and lifelike animal characters about a forest full of different animals that are all celebrating springtime!

This lovely heartwarming video is called “Two Snails Set Off” and is actually based on the French poem called “Song of the Snails Who Went to Burial”, which was written by Jacques Prévert.

The two snails in this story are mourning an autumn dead leaf, it’s because they take so incredibly long to get to the funeral of the leaf, it is already, now springtime and then the snails arrive…

To cheer up the grieving snails, the sun, and the animals tell the animals that are mourning to shed their dark colors and to have a glass of beer, in celebration of the warmth of the coming weather, with renewed colors of nature to follow!

This little video is delightfully entertaining and hosts an abundance of renowned French actors who play the voice roles of the animals, like Audrey Tautou from “Amélie”, but it also made the Staff picks too at Vimeo.

Cheer up your day, and if you have kids, their day too, then pass on this lovely and entertaining little video to everyone that needs a little bit of a pick me up!

Watch this delightful video and SHARE with your family and friends:

Many of love dogs and know how time-consuming and how much dedication it takes to train a dog. But even putting that love aside it’s easy to see that somebody has put such hard work into preparing a dog act for America’s Got Talent.

In a sad turn of events, two of the judges decide its definitely a no for them, that’s when poor Sarah is on the floor crying her eyes out about the whole thing!

Then amazingly and completely unprecedented Simon Cowell gets up on stage to plead and persuade the two judges that had said no, that they really do need to say yes!!

Simon can really be quite persuasive most of the time, and this tile was no different!

Mel B says:  “…it’s not me it’s him!”

So, now feeling very bad indeed what is the Judge that said no going to do?

We have come to know Simon Cowell as a household name who made his career on being the Mr Mean guy who told it like it was in UK talent contests, but now more mellowed Simon, now with a family of his own, sees a really great balance, brought to him by his age, wisdom and family!

This video has gone absolutely viral on Youtube!

Watch this awesome video for yourself below to see the full audition and let us know in the comments if you would say yes or no?

I really love this video and how it shows the kindness in people!

It all began when Andy Mitchell saw this guy, who he later discovered was Justin Korva, dressed in fast food uniform, walking down the road in the baking 95 degree heat. Mitchell pulled up and offered to give the young guy a ride.

Korva accepted the lift, and told me that he worked at the Taco Casa in Rockwall, Texas. He told me that he didn’t have a car so he had to walked the 3 miles to and from work each day and that once he had saved enough money he hoped he could then buy himself a car.

This 20 year old had such an impressive work ethic and impressed by Korva’s determination, Mitchell posted about his new friend on Facebook.

“…all the people that say they want to work but can’t find a job or don’t have a vehicle, all I can say is you don’t want it bad enough,” Mitchell wrote.

The post was shared on social media a few hundred times, but, some people were really inspired to help!

Samee Dowlatshahi, owner of Samee’s Pizza Getti Italian Bistro and Lounge, put out a donation box to help raise money for Korva’s car, in just two short days, Mitchell and Dowlatshahi had collectively raised $5,500 to buy a car for Korva.

Danny Rawls, general sales manager at the local Toyota dealership, had seen the post, he spoke with his manager and the dealership slashed the price of a 2004 Camry, for Korva!

After buying the car, they still had enough money remaining to buy Korva a year’s insurance, plus a $500 gas card, and a year’s worth of oil changes.

Then, they drove the newly bought car over to the young man’s work for a surprise.

I think this storey is an amazing example of human nature at its best and its a pleasure to watch and to help spread the word about what life really is about, working together towards a positive future, I really wish we could see more and more stories like this and promote it as much as possible!

Watch below and please share and spread the positivity!!