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Innovation

Plastic-Recycling Enzyme

A German biotech startup is turning a cemetery discovery into a breakthrough for plastic recycling. The enzyme—first identified by Leipzig-based scientists in 2022 for its ability to break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET) by 90%—has now been refined and named PHL7. By spring 2025, the researchers launched ESTER Biotech to commercialize the innovation, aiming to create a sustainable solution that doesn’t degrade plastic quality. “Our technology makes it possible to bring material flows that are currently burned back to the beginning of the cycle at the molecular level,” said Christian Sonnendecker, lead author of the original paper and ESTER co-founder.

PHL7 offers key advantages over existing chemical and thermal recycling methods. Once the enzyme breaks down PET polymers into monomers, the original material properties remain intact—unlike many recycled plastics, which often suffer from quality loss. The enzyme is highly stable between 32°F and 203°F and requires only a minimal dosage—0.02% to 0.06% per kilogram of plastic. It also works several hours faster than earlier versions. ESTER’s short-term plan is to build a bathtub-sized pilot reactor by next year, with a longer-term goal of operating four industrial-scale 350-cubic-meter reactors by 2030, capable of processing 45,000 metric tons of PET annually.

Beyond traditional PET, PHL7 can also break down multilayer composites—materials typically labeled unrecyclable. ESTER is partnering with two medium-sized companies to create a more cost-efficient supply chain, aiming to bring enzyme production costs down to 100–200 euros per kilogram. Though recycled plastic still faces stiff competition from cheap virgin plastic, ESTER’s pricing could make it a viable alternative. “We are only at the beginning,” Sonnendecker said. “But we are convinced that when science, entrepreneurial spirit and social responsibility come together, a cemetery enzyme can become a beacon of hope for a better future.” With the EU requiring 65% of plastic production to come from recycled sources by 2040, enzymatic solutions like PHL7 could soon play a critical role in the circular economy.

Environment

Porpoise Release Success

For the first time, Chinese biologists have successfully rescued, rehabilitated, and reintroduced a Yangtze finless porpoise into the wild—a milestone achievement for one of the world’s most endangered freshwater species. Native only to the Yangtze River, the finless porpoise is a critically endangered cetacean, with fewer than 600 believed to remain. The Yangtze—also called the Leading to Heaven River—has long been home to rare aquatic life, but like the Thames and Seine, its ecosystem was heavily damaged by industrialization. Though one freshwater cetacean in the river has already gone extinct, recent improvements in water quality have revived hope for the porpoise’s survival.

The conservation effort began when two male porpoises strayed from an ex situ breeding center. Biologists determined the animals were heading toward a food-scarce and unsafe area and intervened. The porpoises were relocated to the Laowan branch of the Yangtze—a 3.5-mile narrow waterway designed to mimic their natural habitat—where they spent two years foraging and acclimating. Once declared healthy and self-sufficient, the animals were moved again to a section of the river where other wild finless porpoises had been observed. There, they were released—marking the first time such a process has ever been attempted with Yangtze finless porpoises.

The results exceeded expectations. The released porpoises successfully integrated into local pods and were observed independently finding food. Three years later, they were still surviving. “This achievement represents a significant advancement in the conservation of Yangtze finless porpoise, which in time, once the habitat is restored and anthropogenic threats have been controlled, will contribute to population recovery,” the researchers wrote. Their success follows a ten-year fishing ban on the Yangtze and reflects a broader shift in China’s conservation efforts, which now prioritize the health of over 2,500 rivers and lakes. The ability to breed and reintroduce freshwater cetaceans from semi-natural environments—similar to practices used for land animals—could be a game-changer for aquatic conservation worldwide.

Lifestyle

Buffet That Defied Time

There was a time when the buffet was a staple of American dining — hearty food, generous portions, and a price that didn’t make you flinch. Through the ‘80s and ‘90s, it was where families gathered, travelers stopped, and no one left hungry. But as diet trends took over and the pandemic forced a pause on shared spaces, most buffets quietly faded away.

Except one.

Today’s video takes us to Shady Maple in East Earl, Pennsylvania — a rare holdout that’s not only surviving, but thriving. Every Saturday, more than 8,000 people walk through its doors, eager for classic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking done the old-fashioned way. Producer Abby Narishkin steps behind the scenes to see what keeps this place standing when so many others have closed their doors. From the bustling kitchen to the crowded dining hall, she asks the big question: Is Shady Maple the last great American buffet?

Watch the full story and decide for yourself — or just enjoy the reminder that some traditions are still going strong.

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Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

I come in bottles, boxes, vials,
Measured out in grams or miles.
I cannot heal a broken heart,
But I can give your pain a start.
Some seek me when they're feeling low,
Others fear the side effects I show.
I’m sold, prescribed, or locked away—
What am I that holds disease at bay?

Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

I stand without walking,
I sleep without dreams.
I hold many lives,
And echo their schemes.
From roof to floor, I shelter all —
What am I? — a house! Lynn Rigsbee got this correct!

The first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected] or reply to the email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured