The project’s aim is to get rid of massive quantities of plastics using pestalotiopsis microspora, or more specifically massive quantities of polyethylene plastic.
Using this fungi, a concrete building about the size of a warehouse, UV lamps, a large tank, hose system, and application process it is possible to help eliminate a chunk of the plastic entering California landfills. In the concrete building an abundance of polyethylene plastic will be placed on the ground floor. From their, UV lamps will treat plastic in the building. When plastic is exposed to UV light, the plastic degrades at a faster rate. When this process is complete, the fungi is ready to be applied. Outside the facility will be a large tank, which holds the liquid fungi spawn. This is where shipments from the mass production facility will be held for a short time. Depending on the region, there may need to be a more complicated holding container, because the fungi is able to survive around room temperature at 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Attached to the tank will be a system of hoses leading to four points in the facility. From there the spawn will be directly applied to the plastic on the ground level, where the fungi will consume and digest the plastic.
The Project
