We believe that the best way to teach is through interactive methods, as learning is most effective when people are actively engaged rather than passively information. Interactive video games offer a powerful way to bring complex concepts of textile degradation into an accessible and engaging learning. By turning abstract ideas such as enzyme action, polymer breakdown, or recycling pathways into interactive challenges and visual simulations, people can better understand both the science and the real-world impact of textile wastes and degradation.
Through interactive games that simulate key processes such as sorting fabric waste, enzyme-substrate matching, plastic degradation; players learn how real-world waste can be dealt with--mechanically and synthetically. Designed for students and the public, our software makes complex science accessible and engaging, supporting our mission to promote sustainable solutions for PET-textile degradation.
We have 5 games in total: Enzyme Defense, Textile Sorter, Textile Degradation Clicker, Plastic Cutter, and Textile Fighter.
Enzyme Defense is an educational mini-game designed to illustrate the concept of enzyme specificity and our project’s application in degrading PET plastic via TfCut2. Players control an enzyme with shape-specific active sites, catching matching substrates (representing PET molecules) to degrade them and prevent landfill buildup.
By visualizing how enzymatic degradation works in an entertaining way, Enzyme-Substrate Match Defense educates the general public on:
Textile Degradation Clicker is an educational clicker game that explores the intersection of sustainability, consumerism, and financial literacy. Each click represents the degradation of a textile item, simplifying the often invisible labor and time behind recycling processes. For every item broken down, players earn one virtual dollar, symbolizing the value of time and effort in waste management. With accumulated earnings, players can choose to purchase new virtual goods—highlighting the cycle of overconsumption in the fashion industry—or invest in fictional stocks, introducing the basics of financial decision-making. The game creates a consequence-free environment where players can experiment with resource allocation and reflect on the real-world impact of their choices. Through simple mechanics and a satirical edge, Textile Degradation Clicker offers an engaging way to learn about sustainability, the true cost of fast fashion, and the fundamentals of economic systems—all with the click of a button.
Plastic Cutter is a dynamic, recycling-themed slicing game built for a plastic degradation project: as vibrant plastic bottles sweep across the screen, you slice them to simulate the rapid sorting and processing required in real-world recycling. By rewarding precision and speed—and penalizing missed items—the game drives home how careful handling and split-second decisions directly impact the effectiveness of material degradation. This immersive experience sharpens reflexes while raising awareness of sustainable waste management, reminding players that every swift cut contributes to reducing plastic pollution and supporting a healthier planet.
Textile Sorter transforms the conveyor-belt challenge into a hands-on lesson in textile recycling: as garments glide past, you swiftly decide whether each belongs in the recycle bin or general waste, reinforcing how simple sorting choices prevent landfill overflow. By rewarding correct placements and penalizing mistakes, the game illustrates the stark difference between recyclable textiles and ordinary trash, shows how mis-sorting accelerates environmental harm, and underscores the power of individual action. In simulating the pace and precision of real-world waste management, Textile Sorter sharpens reflexes, deepens understanding of sustainable practices, and makes every drag and drop a meaningful step toward reducing our collective footprint.
To install pygame, run pip3 install pygame
To play Textile Degradation Clicker, Plastic Cutter, or Textile Sorter, run:
git clone
https://gitlab.igem.org/2025/software-tools/gems-taiwan.git
To run the game, you must be in the correct directory by
cd igem_clicker
To play the game, open the igem_clicker.html file.
To run the game, you must be in the correct directory by
cd igem_plastic
To play the game,
if you are using python3, run python3 igem_plastic.py
if you are using python, run python igem_plastic.py
To run the game, you must be in the correct directory by
cd igem_textile
To play the game,
if you are using python3, run python3 textile.py
if you are using python, run python textile.py
Step into the world's first online educational game about textile recycling! As a sustainability warrior, you'll learn how to sort clothing from waste, differentiate between mechanical and enzymatic recycling, and understand how our TfCut enzyme works, all through simple coding. Every level is a mission to protect the planet. Learn while you play, because sustainability isn't just a slogan, it's a change you create.
We built this online game to make textile circularity easy to understand and easy to practice. Instead of reading about recycling, players make real choices during each level and can see the end results immediately. The goal is to turn “I’ve heard of recycling” into “I know what to do and why it works.”
It’s a fun educational game for classrooms, museums, and community events for young individuals with no prior science background needed. The clear prompts and short tasks keep it accessible for all ages.
The game is available on: https://caden-wu-gems-tw.itch.io/textile-fighter!