NASA-Backed Microbes Turn Plastic Waste Into Edible Space Cookies

Researchers funded by NASA have developed a method to convert PET plastic and agricultural waste into edible proteins, fats, and flavors using engineered yeasts, which are then shaped into 3D-printed cookies. Human testing awaits regulatory approval, but the team envisions such upcycled nutrition aiding astronauts on long missions and offering a future solution for plastic waste in extreme environments. Current production costs are around $60 per kilogram, with potential reductions as efficiency improves and production scales up.