# 40. Why Plastic Eating Enzymes Will Save Our Oceans

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2021-10-19
- Length: 24m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-10-19-40-why-plastic-eating-enzymes-will-save-our-oceans
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/40-why-plastic-eating-enzymes-will-save-our-oceans-rm9g5QSL

## Summary

Hosts Daniel and Forbode discuss two sustainability initiatives: Patagonia’s partnership with startup Bureo to upcycle abandoned fishing nets into the 'NetPlus' material for apparel, and Samsara, a spin-out from the Australian National University, which uses enzymes to achieve 'infinite recycling' of polyethylene. They highlight how enzymatic digestion preserves polymer strength compared to mechanical recycling, allowing for true circularity in products like water bottles and textiles. The episode also touches on the economic and environmental failures of current plastic recycling infrastructure.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-10-19-40-why-plastic-eating-enzymes-will-save-our-oceans#t=0) Introduction and Patagonia/Bureo Partnership
- [3:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-10-19-40-why-plastic-eating-enzymes-will-save-our-oceans#t=223) The Problem of Abandoned Fishing Nets
- [5:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-10-19-40-why-plastic-eating-enzymes-will-save-our-oceans#t=336) Bureo’s Collection and Processing Model
- [6:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-10-19-40-why-plastic-eating-enzymes-will-save-our-oceans#t=381) Patagonia’s NetPlus Product Line
- [11:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-10-19-40-why-plastic-eating-enzymes-will-save-our-oceans#t=703) Sponsor Read: Mouser Electronics
- [12:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-10-19-40-why-plastic-eating-enzymes-will-save-our-oceans#t=774) Samsara and the Failure of Mechanical Recycling
- [17:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-10-19-40-why-plastic-eating-enzymes-will-save-our-oceans#t=1058) Enzymatic Digestion vs. Mechanical Stress
- [19:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-10-19-40-why-plastic-eating-enzymes-will-save-our-oceans#t=1186) Samsara’s Scale and Stakeholders

## Topics

- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Patagonia (company)
- Bureo (company)
- NetPlus (product)
- Samsara (company)
- Australian National University (company)
- Woolworths (company)
- Mouser Electronics (company)
- Polyethylene (material)
- High Density Polyethylene (material)
- PET (material)
- Polyamid (material)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [243 - Tony Perrotta on why we need to move beyond just talking about sustainability](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-02-06-243-tony-perrotta-on-why-we-need-to-move-beyond-just-talking-about-sustainabilit) (People of Packaging)
- [Threading the future of circular fashion with Peter Majeranowski of Circ](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-09-07-threading-the-future-of-circular-fashion-with-peter-majeranowski-of-circ) (How I Built This)
- [The Race to Replace Plastic: 2026 SF Climate Week](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2026-06-04-the-race-to-replace-plastic-2026-sf-climate-week) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [277 - This episode was banned on Youtub3!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-08-08-277-this-episode-was-banned-on-youtub3) (People of Packaging)
- [197 - Circularity Day 2 recap with Cory Connors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-06-08-197-circularity-day-2-recap-with-cory-connors) (People of Packaging)

## Citing this page

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