John, this is so cool: Scientists in Germany have just discovered another type of fungi that can survive exclusively by devouring plastic waste! Plastic that would otherwise remain on the planet forever. 

Around 91% of plastic globally isn't recycled and every minute another truckload gets dumped into the environment, suffocating life on Earth and spreading disease and pollutants across shores. But fantastic fungi could change that.

Some species of fungi can consume as much as half of the plastic waste in a matter of few weeks! 

But weather conditions and other environmental factors can significantly impact their use and effectiveness. Scientists need to do lot more research and make technological improvements to turn these natural, biological wonders into another powerful weapon to help end the global plastics crisis. And we can help! 

Retired NASA scientist Dr Cullings is working with an innovative nonprofit to isolate and safely reproduce plastic-eating fungi for use on a global scale. With all of us chipping in, they can expand their incredible research into new environments and we can step up our campaigning to push corporations and governments to act. Let's cut plastic waste in half — can you chip in?

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Fungi, like mushrooms and yeast, are nature’s cleanup crew. The enzymes they produce can break down pollutants and clean up everything from oil spills to toxic pesticides.

Nearly all the plastic ever created still exists in some form today, and production keeps increasing. Plastic entering the ocean is expected to triple by 2040 if left unchecked. That's why scientists are researching how to use these crafty microbes to break down all types of plastics and to make it possible to better recycle and reuse plastics — and so far it’s working. 

We could actually start to make a dent in the world's plastic waste! 

But more research is needed to do this on a big enough scale. Ocean Blue Project and Dr Cullings have been at the forefront of using fungi to clean up environmental disasters. They have big ambitions in the fight against plastic waste, but lab equipment, field materials, and research are expensive — and they rely on donations to do this work.

This pioneering research could be one of the bold solutions we’ve all been waiting for and could give us another powerful weapon as we push forward in our campaigns to hold corporations and governments accountable for their role in creating this global crisis and demand change. All of this is only possible because of you and our incredible Ekō community. Can you be one of the first 5000 donors?

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Trials for industrial-scale use of plastic-eating fungi are already underway. We have a chance to be at the forefront of this remarkable research and help rid the world of plastic waste — but we know there is so much more to do if we want to solve the plastics crisis for good, like reducing plastic production!

That's why our campaigning to pressure corporations and governments for lasting solutions that put people and the planet over profits are so important right now. And you donation will help power this and other amazing campaigns. Working side-by-side we can cut plastic waste in half — are you in?