These Cookies Started As Plastic Bottles
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Making edible cookies may be the last thing that comes to mind when we think of ways to recycle plastic. But that is exactly what researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale have developed with support from NASA. Dubbed µBites (pronounced "micro-bites"), the project demonstrates how common plastic can be transformed into nutritious food using bioengineering.
How it works
For their project, the researchers chose PET plastic. It is commonly used to make water bottles and other single-use products. PET contains carbon, an element that is also found in the foods we eat. Dr. Jayakody and his team wondered if they could break down the carbon in the plastic and turn it into useful nutrients.
"My lab works on developing technologies for plastic upcycling," Dr. Jayakody explained. "We thought, why not look into food? Plastic is carbon and food is carbon."
The team began by mixing clear plastic water bottles with plant waste, such as corn stalks. The mixture was then heated under intense pressure using only water and oxygen. This process broke the plastic and plant material into smaller molecules. These molecules dissolved in water, creating a liquid rich in carbon.
The liquid was then poured into tanks containing genetically modified yeast. The yeast used carbon from the plastic and nutrients from the plant waste to grow. As the yeast grew, it produced food ingredients, including proteins and fats, inside its cells. Finally, these nutrient-rich yeast cells were blended with starch, fiber, and a little sugar to make a thick, dough-like paste.
The team then fed the paste into a 3D printer, which squeezed it into small shapes resembling the Greek letter µ (mu). A quick zap in the microwave baked them into firm cookies. The cookies smelled surprisingly good. Lab tests also showed they were safe to eat. However, the team is waiting on official university approval before trying them.
The researchers presented their findings at the ACS Fall Science Conference on August 24, 2026. The cookies were developed as part of NASA’s Deep Space Food Challenge. Astronauts heading on long missions to Mars cannot carry years of food supplies, but they will end up with plenty of trash. By turning plastic waste into food, they could become more self-sufficient during the journey.
The cookies could also help address food shortages on Earth. However, the production process still needs to be improved and the cost lowered before they can become widely available. More importantly, the public will need to be convinced that the plastic-derived snack is safe to eat.
Resources: Cnet.com, Theguardian.com, Acs.org
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64 Comments
turntochrist12 daysIt's kinda funny if you think about it.- kydorilofoti12 daysOh heck no I'm not eating that 🤮.
telsa123412 dayshow in the world they good its plastic- 3000302012 daysits not tho its dough that contains carbon that just so happened to come from plastic also carbon is in many foods and is a healthy nutrient!
- kingcorbin12 daysFor the people saying it is good it is not it is plastic
- 3000302012 daysits dough with carbon (a nutrient in many foods) that originally came from molecules used in plastic, so no it is not plastic, it is dough.
- chapitohcuh12 daysgross but really cool.
godismysavior12 daysI'm never gunna eat that- mangoman67712 daysit a cookie tho 🤤
olhildreth3112 daysI LOVE THIS ARTICLE
gray_rider3713 daysDon't eat it! It can raise cancer risk!!!- refygaguriva12 dayserm Actually, the science completely disproves this! You aren't eating ground-up plastic. This cookie (called µBites, developed for NASA's Deep Space Food Challenge) is made using advanced bioengineering. The plastic bottles are completely broken down at a molecular level into basic carbon components using heat, water, and oxygen. That carbon is then fed to safe, engineered baker's yeast, which digests it and naturally turns it into pure proteins, fats, and vitamins (and even vanilla flavoring!). Chemical testing by researchers confirms that the final printed food contains absolutely zero microplastics, nanoplastics, or toxic chemical pathogens. The yeast completely cleans and converts it!
abgage10 daysI agree with you bc if NASA astronauts are eating it it has to b sfe
oswaldperson1 dayFOR REAL! NASA wouldn't eat that if it had just plastic and sugar!!!
kejjeje48914 daysWell that's a good idea to save earth but, it feels a little gross
