Biocomposite Bacillus
If "biocomposite TPU" can be developed into a viable, marketable product, it may a first step toward compostable plastics. By integrating spores of a strain of Bacillus subtilis evolved to be heat-tolerant and to survive the production process, the researchers were able to create thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with B. subtilis spores that activate when put into an environment containing nutrients, for example compost or landfill. The bioplastic with heat-tolerant spores lost more than 90% of its mass over 5 months. In addition, it looks like the integration of the spores made the TPU stronger. Some caveats: it is only one type of plastics, and you better hope the bacteria don't start degrading your bike's inner tube while you are riding. But a promising direction.