Southern Illinois University researchers turn plastic waste into 3D-printed food

Researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale have developed a method to convert polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic waste and agricultural biomass into food ingredients using engineered yeast. The process involves breaking down waste materials through oxidative hydrothermal dissolution before using microbes to rebuild the molecules into proteins, fats, vitamins, and flavorings.

The resulting protein-rich snack, a 3D-printed cookie named ‘µBites’, was developed as part of a NASA-led ‘Deep Space Food Challenge’. The technology aims to support long-term human space exploration by enabling food production in resource-limited environments like the Moon or Mars.

Beyond space travel, the team envisions applications for the technology on Earth, including use in submarines, disaster zones, and closed environments. While safety data has been collected, researchers are currently seeking institutional approval for human taste testing. Future goals include using microbes to produce all primary ingredients, such as starches and sweeteners, to create a fully circular production cycle.