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The smallest solution to one of our biggest problems - Tierney Thys and Christian Sardet

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TEDEd Animation

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Each year humanity produces roughly 400 million tons of plastic, 80% of which is discarded as trash. Of that plastic waste, only one-tenth is recycled. 60% gets incinerated or goes into the landfills, and 30% leaks out into the environment. Fortunately, there are microbes that may be able to take a bite out of this growing problem. Tierney Thys and Christian Sardet explore the future of recycling.

Do the developments and enhancements of plastivorous microbes provide perverse incentives for the plastics industry to make more plastic? Why or why not?

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Tierney Thys, Christian Sardet
  • Director Elsa Esteban
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Storyboard Artist Elsa Esteban
  • Animator Elsa Esteban, Lucie Zix
  • Art Director Elsa Esteban
  • Composer Salil Bhayani, cAMP Studio
  • Sound Designer Amanda P.H. Bennett, cAMP Studio
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal, Dan Kwartler
  • Producer Anna Bechtol
  • Associate Producer Abdallah Ewis
  • Script Editor Emma Bryce
  • Fact-Checker Charles Wallace

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