The discovery of a new bacteria that consumes plastic waste would likely have the greatest impact on reducing the negative consequences of plastic.
While finding more ways to reuse plastic and incorporate it into everyday goods can help manage plastic use and waste, these methods often still contribute to the ongoing plastic problem by relying on continuously producing and consuming plastic.
In contrast, a bacteria capable of consuming plastic waste could potentially address the existing pollution problem by breaking down plastics in the environment into harmless components. This bioremediation approach could mitigate the accumulation of plastic in ecosystems, reduce the environmental footprint of plastic, and provide a more sustainable long-term solution to the plastic waste crisis.