Plastic-Derived Cookies: From Pollution to Nutrition

The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that more than 20 million metric tons of plastic waste enter the environment each year. At the same time, the UN World Food Programme warns that 266 million people worldwide face acute hunger in 2026. Could a single solution help address both challenges? Two scientists at Southern Illinois University Carbondale believe it could.      In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah speaks with associate professor and microbiologist Dr. Lahiru Jayakody and graduate research assistant Sandhya Jayasekara at Southern Illinois University Carbondale about how they transformed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles into cookies that look and smell like those on supermarket shelves.       The project is built on a surprisingly simple idea: plastic and food both contain carbon, so could one be transformed into the other? Using a proprietary method called oxidative hydrothermal dissolution, the researchers process carbon-rich materials such as PET plastic, discarded corn stalks and leaves, and another biomass.     The process uses water and oxygen at suitable temperatures and pressures to break down tough materials into components that microbes can access. These components are then fed to specially programmed yeasts, which convert them into food ingredients such as proteins, fats, and acids. The researchers add fiber, starch, and sweetener, then extrude the mixture through a 3D printer to create protein-rich cookies called µBites (microbites).      The project was inspired not only by these two major societal challenges, but also by NASA's Deep Space Food Challenge, which called for ideas for sustainable food systems for Moon and Mars missions. Lahiru envisions a future in which plastic packaging used by astronauts could be repurposed as a food source during long space missions.     In August 2026, a global communications campaign introduced the derived plastic cookie to the world. Lahiru and Sandhya reflect on the divided public response to the idea and the lessons they have learned about explaining novel scientific concepts to a wider audience.       The cookie remains a work in progress, with researchers now focused on confirming its safety to eat. If they clear that hurdle, these small cookies could have a significant global impact.     LINKS:  Dr. Lahiru Jayakody Bio  Sandhya Jayasekara on LinkedIn  NASA Deep Space Food Challenge Website  METTLER TOLEDO Website  METTLER TOLEDO on LinkedIn  Balancing The Future Podcast Website  Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn  Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn  EPISODE SOURCES:  This cookie started its life as a plastic bottle – The American Chemical Society  Hard to swallow? The future of snacking may be 3D-printed cookies made from upcycled plastic – The Guardian  Plastic pollution – The International Union for Conservation of Nature  A global food crisis – The UN World Food Programme  Microbes transform plastic waste into paracetamol – The University of Edinburgh  ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE:  Science and technology play a key role in solving many of the world’s toughest problems. Balancing the Future introduces listeners to the people and innovations addressing these challenges.   We explore wide-ranging creative solutions that are changing our world for the better. You will hear directly from people making an impact in science and technology, such as, how cultivated foods could shake up both our diets and traditional agriculture, the ways AI might help us find a cure for Alzheimer's, and how tiny 3D ‘organoids’ are already changing the way we test new drugs.      Each episode offers hopeful conversations with scientists, leaders and communicators who are making a difference in their fields.       Join us as we decode the mechanisms behind impactful developments and new ways of thinking. Subscribe or follow us to be sure you never miss an episode.  ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO:  Whether ensuring food safety, developing life-saving medicines, or advancing new technologies, precision, efficacy and accuracy matters. Meeting customers’ expectations takes more than effort; it requires the right partner.  METTLER TOLEDO supports with trusted tools, expertise, and knowledge. Together, we help our clients work more efficiently, stay compliant, and drive innovation, building a safer and more sustainable future for everyone.