This survey aims to evaluate the general public’s understanding of plastic-degrading enzymes as well as their behaviors and attitudes toward plastic use and environmental protection. By targeting individuals across a broad age range, we aimed to assess both public awareness and potential social acceptance of the solution from our project. These insights provided direction for our science promotional and communicative activities and strategic positioning of our project.

From the survey, we collected 108 valid responses in total. The demographic distribution of the respondents has covered a wide range of age groups from China:

• Children and teenagers under 18: 54.21%
• Young adults (18–35): 15.74%
• Middle-aged (35–60): 23.36%
• Seniors over 60: 6.48%

The survey found that most respondents were not majoring in biology, yet a certain percentage of them had some knowledge of plastic-degrading enzymes. However, nearly half of the respondents were still unaware of their actual uses. The survey also revealed common misconceptions. For example, many respondents associated “white pollution” entirely with plastic products, without recognizing other contributing factors. This one-sided perception underscored the need for better science communication. At the same time, respondents overwhelmingly acknowledged that plastic waste significantly affects their daily lives, reinforcing the relevance of our project.

Behavioral data provided additional insight. Plastic bags were identified as the most frequently used plastic item, with 69.16% of respondents discarding packaging directly after use. Only 7.48% reported paying attention to whether packaging was degradable when shopping. This indicates not only a lack of awareness about environmentally responsible consumption but also a gap between abstract environmental concerns and practical everyday actions.

Considering the demographic skew toward younger participants, we prioritized science education and behavior-focused outreach for this age group. By addressing awareness gaps early, we aim to build long-term understanding and acceptance of plastic-degrading technologies.

• Awareness gap:

43.52% of respondents had never heard of plastic-degrading enzymes (Figure2). This indicates a significant need for educational initiatives to bridge public knowledge gaps.

Figure 2. The awareness gap of plastic-degrading enzymes

• Market acceptance:

87.85% of respondents expressed willingness to purchase biodegradable plastic products, even at a slightly higher cost. This indicates that if we can degrade plastics into environmentally friendly and recyclable products, it can enhance public acceptance to a certain extent.

Figure 3. The market acceptance of plastic-degrading products

• Perceived severity:

62.97% of respondents rated global plastic pollution as high severity (8-10). This result highlights the perceived urgency of addressing pollution and validates the importance of our project.

Figure 4. Public awareness of the world plastic problem

• Knowledge of enzyme function:

28% of respondents were unsure about the main function of plastic-degrading enzymes. This lack of understanding shows that the technology has not been widely communicated and remains outside mainstream public knowledge.

Figure 5. The level of education about plastic-degrading enzymes

Together, these findings show that while people recognize the problem of plastic pollution and support eco-friendly solutions, they lack a clear understanding of the technologies designed to address it.

The survey results provided three main takeaways for our project:

1. Social acceptance
   Respondents demonstrated a strong willingness to support eco-friendly technologies, even without detailed knowledge of their mechanisms. This suggests that public trust can be leveraged to build acceptance of plastic-degrading enzyme applications, provided safety and benefits are communicated clearly.
2. Popular science activities
   The results highlighted a critical cognitive gap: people are highly aware of plastic pollution but lack understanding of plastic-degrading enzymes as a solution. Without targeted science communication, this gap may hinder adoption and scalability when the technology becomes available. To address this, we incorporated popular science promotion into our Human Practices plan. Outreach activities such as community lectures, campus events, and interactive workshops will help make enzyme-based solutions visible and accessible to the public.
3. Project promotion
   Although respondents acknowledged pollution as a severe problem, few directly associated it with enzyme-based solutions. If this gap persists, the societal value of our project may be underestimated. Therefore, during the mid-term development stage, we will strengthen public communication efforts through online platforms, social media campaigns, and offline publicity. By presenting enzymes as a credible and effective tool to mitigate plastic pollution, we aim to build recognition and prepare the ground for future commercialization.

In conclusion, the questionnaire survey not only clarified the current level of public awareness but also outlined our responsibility to popularize science and promote the project’s value. These insights directly shaped our next steps in outreach and technical development, ensuring that the project evolves in alignment with social needs and expectations.

3.1.1 Overview

To refine our project direction and evaluate its feasibility, we interviewed Professor Guangquan Chen, a geneticist who graduated from the Free University of Amsterdam.

The discussion focused on three themes:

(1) the current scientific background of plastic and microplastic pollution,

(2) the essential requirements for launching a viable scientific research project,

(3) and practical guidance on experimental details.

Professor Chen’s expertise provided valuable clarity on how to sharpen our research questions and align our work with real-world scientific standards.

Figure 6. Interview with Professor Guangquan Chen

3.1.2 Insights

Current situation of microplastic pollution

Professor Chen emphasized that microplastic contamination is challenging to avoid in daily life. For instance, bottled water has been shown to contain hundreds of thousands of nano-plastics and microplastic particles, and food delivery packaging accelerates microplastic release when exposed to high temperatures or acidic/alkaline conditions. This highlighted that while the problem is severe, scientific approaches must target specific, measurable aspects rather than remaining at a broad, abstract level.

Key elements of scientific research projects and project initiation conditions

For research initiation, Professor Chen underscored the importance of identifying key scientific issues when obtaining funding support. Funding proposals must resemble bidding documents with established guidelines from national or local science and technology commissions. Importantly, funding bodies look for projects with a concise and specific research question that targets global issues, generally not exceeding three sentences.

Specific suggestions for our project design

Our team initially proposed enhancing the plastic degradation ability of DSP ETS. Professor Chen critiqued this as too vague. Instead, he recommended that we

(1) define the target polymer: in this case, polyethylene,

(2) specify particle size ranges: 50 nm, 100 nm, or other relevant scales,

(3) and detail methods to enhance enzyme activity: CRISPR-based genetic modifications, or other relevant methodology.

He further suggested structuring our research workflow around these clarified parameters, which potentially involves

(1) Enhancing the catalytic activity of enzymes against a defined plastic type.

(2) Testing whether the selected enzyme can degrade the chosen particle sizes under controlled conditions.

(3) Evaluating performance in biological systems, such as model organisms or simulated environments.

This approach, he argued, would make our project both scientifically rigorous and fundable.

3.1.3 Reflection

Professor Chen’s input directly influenced how we refined our project design. Following his recommendations, we made three key adjustments:

(1) Polymer selection: the focus is narrowed to polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one of the most common and environmentally persistent plastics.

(2) Particle size specification: Our working range is set to 0.5–10 mm, providing a measurable and realistic experimental boundary.

(3) Engineering method confirmation: The method for improving enzyme activity is specified, namely, site-directed mutagenesis.

3.2.1 Overview

To explore the scientific foundation and applied potential of plastic-degrading enzymes, we interviewed Dr. Liujie Huo from the Institute of Microbial Technology. Dr. Huo specializes in organic chemistry, bioengineering, and microbiology, and has received multiple awards for his contributions to these fields. Our discussion focused on four key topics:

(1) the natural occurrence of plastic-degrading enzymes,

(2) methods to enhance their efficiency,

(3) strategies for scalable applications,

(4) and biosafety considerations for engineered organisms.

His insights helped us better align our project with both scientific feasibility and industrial practicality.

Figure 7. Interview with Dr. Liujie Huo

3.2.2 Insights

Natural enzymes and artificial optimization
Dr. Huo explained that plastic-degrading enzymes are often discovered in microorganisms thriving in plastic-contaminated environments, such as landfills or waste treatment sites. While these naturally-occurring enzymes represent a crucial starting point, they are typically inefficient under real-world conditions. Therefore, advanced biotechnological approaches must be employed to improve their catalytic activity, stability, and adaptability.

Efficient screening
Modern genomic and bioinformatic technologies allow researchers to analyze the genetic material of tens of thousands of microorganisms simultaneously, where he stressed the importance of efficient screening platforms that can quickly identify promising enzymes from these massive datasets. With computational tools and automated screening machines, researchers can shorten discovery timelines and avoid relying solely on trial-and-error approaches.

Engineered bacteria as an alternative to purified enzymes
Dr. Huo highlighted the high costs and inefficiencies associated with purifying enzymes at scale. Instead, he recommended using engineered microbial systems as “enzyme factories.” By inserting plastic-degrading genes into bacterial hosts, such as E. coli, researchers can cultivate entire bacterial populations capable of continuously producing and secreting the target enzymes. This approach hugely increased the effectiveness of plastic degradation.

Ensuring biosafety and controllable survival
A critical concern raised by Dr. Huo was biosafety. Engineered bacteria must never pose risks if they escape into natural ecosystems. To address this, he recommended using host strains that are poorly adapted to survival outside laboratory conditions, ensuring accidental leakage would not result in uncontrolled spread. This guarantees that engineered bacteria remain fully controllable, even during large-scale deployment.

3.2.3 Reflection

By integrating Dr. Huo’s insights, we bridged the gap between academic research and real-world application. These suggestions helped us identify several core research directions and incorporate them into our project.

(1) Targeted microbial sources: sampling microorganisms from plastic-enriched environments, such as landfills and oceanic debris fields, is prioritized, where natural adaptation to plastic substrates is more likely.

(2) Scalable enzyme production: Engineered E. coli strains capable of producing plastic-degrading enzymes are developed on a large scale.

(3) Biosafety design: Certified laboratory strains and controlling strategies, such as sterilization steps and a genetic suicide switch, will be used. These measures guarantee that engineered bacteria will not persist beyond their intended use.

3.3.1 Overview

To gain insights into the environmental significance of plastic-degrading enzyme research and its connections to policy development, we interviewed Mr. Li Zheying, a researcher in Professor Shan Huimei’s group, whose work focused on groundwater pollution and control, environmental remediation materials, environmental impact assessment, and pollutant geochemical modeling.

Figure 8. Interview with Mr. Zheying Li

3.3.2 Insights

Policy Status
At present, there are no specific policies directly supporting research on plastic-degrading enzymes. However, substantial funding exists for broader research into “microplastic and emerging pollutant” control, within which enzyme-related studies may be indirectly supported.

Regional Focus
Governmental support and academic research are disproportionately concentrated in coastal provinces such as Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Fujian. These regions are often prioritized due to their higher exposure to plastic pollution, resulting in more advanced research outcomes and early-stage policy experimentation. Consequently, future information gathering should focus on these pioneering areas.

Accessing Policy Information
Policy-related information is not consolidated in unified national legislation but instead dispersed across local regulations, regional initiatives, and research program guidelines. Therefore, effective investigation requires a targeted and region-specific approach.

3.3.3 Reflection

Following this interview, our team intends to pursue desk research on policy mechanisms supporting enzyme-based or biodegradation technologies in marine plastic governance, with particular attention to coastal provinces and cities such as Shanghai, Hong Kong, Jiangsu, and Fujian. In addition, we plan to initiate public outreach campaigns aimed at improving awareness and fostering an accurate understanding of both plastic pollution and biodegradation technologies.

3.4.1 Overview

We had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Shiyuan Li, a multidisciplinary figure who bridges biotechnology research and entrepreneurial practice. Dr. Li is the legal representative of Shanghai Zhuanhuazi Information Technology Co., Ltd., while also remaining deeply engaged in academic research and science communication in the field of synthetic biology. In this interview, we aimed to understand the pathways of plastic-degrading enzyme technology from the business standpoint, including regulatory requirements, industrial partnerships, funding models, and strategies for scaling research outcomes into viable applications. This will help us further understand the specific processes of commercialization after laboratory development.

Figure 9. Interview with Dr. Shiyuan Li

3.4.2 Insights

Commercialization Requirements

Dr. Li stressed that the path toward commercialization of plastic-degrading enzymes generally requires two to three years of regulatory approval, the establishment of scalable and cost-efficient production systems, and the engineering of enzymes with resistance to environmental contaminants.

Strategic Pathways

He emphasized that successful market entry depends on forming partnerships with large-scale producers (e.g., Coca-Cola) and recycling enterprises. High-value targets, such as food-grade PET recycling, could serve as initial applications. Sustainability branding, when coupled with technical performance, can significantly strengthen the competitive advantage of such technologies.

Funding Models

From an investment perspective, Dr. Li suggested that research teams should move beyond emphasizing “innovation for its own sake.” Instead, they should frame their projects in terms of measurable economic value, such as cost savings, operational efficiency, or brand enhancement, to attract the government or impact investors.

3.4.3 Reflection

The discussion with Dr. Li underscored that the future of plastic-degrading enzyme research lies at the intersection of rigorous science, industrial collaboration, and market-oriented thinking. For our project, two areas of improvement stand out:

(1) Industry Insight

We will directly engage with local recyclers and small-scale manufacturers to understand their operational challenges, ensuring that our solutions address real-world needs rather than remaining theoretical.

(2) Practical Outreach

Building on Dr. Li’s emphasis on public and industry communication, we will expand beyond awareness campaigns. Our team would develop targeted presentations for school administrators, environmental organizations, and potentially industry stakeholders to position our work as both scientifically sound and socially relevant.