Next-Generation Plastic Recycling: Integrating AI-Driven Enzyme Engineering and CRISPR-Based Innovations for a Sustainable Circular Economy

Abstract:

Plastic pollution poses a major environmental challenge, demanding sustainable and innovative management strategies. Conventional recycling and chemical up-cycling techniques, while promising, remain limited in large-scale applications due to technological and economic constraints. Recent breakthroughs in genetic engineering have led to the development of specialized enzymes and microbial systems capable of degrading persistent plastics such as polyethylene and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). To enhance degradation efficiency and substrate specificity, predictive modeling using Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being employed. These AI-driven models enable the design and optimization of enzymes tailored to specific plastic types. CRISPR-based genome editing further refines enzyme function, allowing precise modifications that enhance catalytic performance against resistant polymer structures. Enzymatic degradation mechanisms, primarily hydrolysis, oxidation, and biodegradation, are also being explored for converting plastic waste into valuable chemical feedstocks. Integrating genetic engineering, enzymatic solutions, and AI systems offers a synergistic approach to accelerate, enhance, and scale up plastic recycling technologies. This review highlights the environmental and economic benefits of integrated biotechnological solutions, particularly in reducing plastic waste, lowering CO₂ emissions, and advancing circular-economy goals. By leveraging the combined strengths of CRISPR, synthetic biology, enzyme engineering, and AI-based optimization, current recycling models can be significantly improved. These advancements hold great potential for transforming plastic waste management into a more sustainable and economically viable process, turning discarded materials into useful resources and reducing the ecological footprint of polymer-based products.