Fifth Avenue Forum

Terrorist, crazy person, or both?

A mutant bacterial enzyme that breaks down plastic bottles for recycling in hours has been created by scientists.

The enzyme, originally discovered in a compost heap of leaves, reduced the bottles to chemical building blocks that were then used to make high-quality new bottles. Existing recycling technologies usually produce plastic only good enough for clothing and carpets.

The company behind the breakthrough, Carbios, said it was aiming for industrial-scale recycling within five years. It has partnered with major companies including Pepsi and L’Oréal to accelerate development. Independent experts called the new enzyme a major advance.

Scientists create mutant enzyme that recycles plastic bottles in hours

A mutant bacterial enzyme that breaks down plastic bottles for recycling in hours has been created by scientists.

The enzyme, originally discovered in a compost heap of leaves, reduced the bottles to chemical building blocks that were then used to make high-quality new bottles. Existing recycling technologies usually produce plastic only good enough for clothing and carpets.

The company behind the breakthrough, Carbios, said it was aiming for industrial-scale recycling within five years. It has partnered with major companies including Pepsi and L’Oréal to accelerate development. Independent experts called the new enzyme a major advance.

Now we just need people to actually start recycling...

It's a shame that 500 jobs were lost, but the PATP has decided to remain cashless, permanently, effective immediately. That's a step in the right direction.

It's a shame that 500 jobs were lost, but the PATP has decided to remain cashless, permanently, effective immediately. That's a step in the right direction.

I was thinking they may do this as I was driving thru a toll booth yesterday. Were the collectors part of a union?

Turnpike traffic is down almost 50% since last spring, and toll revenues dropped by more than $100 million for the fiscal year ending May 31.

The commission instituted a hiring freeze, slashed capital spending and offered a voluntary retirement program to cut costs, but these measures were not enough to make up for the shortfall, Compton said.

The employees who will be laid off were notified Tuesday morning. The layoffs will begin June 18.

Employees will retain some of their health benefits for up to two years, according to the commission.

Compton said health considerations factored into the decision as well as fiscal concerns.

If a toll collector tests positive for the virus, it requires shutting down an entire interchange, Compton said.

“In mid-March, we made the decision to stop accepting cash in the lanes to protect employees and customers from covid-19,” Compton said. “It was fully intended to be a temporary condition. However, with (all-electronic tolling) already our goal for the future, the decision to accelerate makes sense when faced with this extended pandemic.”

How much will they raise tolls again is the real question. It's crazy how much it costs to use the turnpike in general.

You'd think, with fewer toll workers to pay, turnpike rates should level off no?

I used to be able to cross the TP for under $19. I don't even want to know what that costs now.

I used to be able to cross the TP for under $19. I don't even want to know what that costs now.

I don’t know where your off and on points were, but getting on at the western most point and exiting and the eastern most point is $65 and change.

I used to be able to cross the TP for under $19. I don't even want to know what that costs now.

I don’t know where your off and on points were, but getting on at the western most point and exiting and the eastern most point is $65 and change.

It used to be 67 on the western side and 351 on the eastern side, so I imagine it's probably around $50-55 based on the full length. That's insane.

We need more 45mph+ E-Zpass stations, while we're on the topic, because slowing down is also for chumps.