The brilliance of bacteria (and how they combat waste) | Patricia Aymà Maldonado

Summary

Podcast Summary

TED Talks Daily

Episode: The brilliance of bacteria (and how they combat waste) | Patricia Aymà Maldonado
Release Date: January 16, 2026
Host: Elise Hu
Guest: Patricia Aymà Maldonado (biotechnologist and “bacteria trainer”), followed by an interview with TED Fellows director Lily James Olds

---

Overview

This episode centers around the innovative work of Patricia Aymà Maldonado, a biotechnologist who refers to herself as a "bacteria trainer." Patricia shares her story and explains how her company uses bacteria to transform industrial organic waste—such as spent yeast from beer brewing—into fully biodegradable, microplastic-free bioplastic. She discusses critical flaws in today’s plastic and recycling systems and why true sustainability requires fundamental industry change driven by science, technology, and collective responsibility.

Following her talk, Patricia joins TED Fellows director Lily James Olds for an insightful conversation about the science, challenges, and global impact of her work.

---

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Patricia’s Journey & Early Inspiration

• Personal story: Childhood illnesses caused by bacteria led to early curiosity.
• Turning point: In high school, exposure to students modifying bacteria for protein production and world hunger solutions changed her life and direction.

  "They are the most special creature on earth because they are super powerful. They just can kill you or save you in a second." — Patricia Aymà Maldonado (03:49)

2. The Real Problem with Plastics

• Not just a material issue: Plastic itself is not inherently bad; it enables countless advancements.
• Systemic issue: The problem is how it’s produced, used, and disposed of—most plastic comes from petroleum and isn't properly recycled.
• Startling facts:
  • Only 9% of all plastic is recycled.
  • Virgin plastic production rises alongside recycling, promoting an “illusion of sustainability.”
• Accountability gap: The burden of environmental responsibility has shifted unfairly to consumers.

  "It often seems that the full responsibility falls into individuals. No matter how you try to avoid single use plastics, ... it will never be enough." — Patricia (06:02)

3. Bioplastics: A True Alternative

• Definitions:
  • Bioplastic from origin: not petro-based.
  • Bioplastic for end-of-life: is biodegradable or compostable.
  • Her company’s plastic: biodegradable from start to finish.
• Model:
  • Partner with companies to take in their organic waste (e.g., beer yeast).
  • Two-stage bacteria process: one group “cooks” the waste to make it usable; the next group produces bioplastic from it.
  • On-site modular systems at partner facilities, operating 24/7.
  • Current scale: three tons of waste processed per day; 300g waste produces 1kg bioplastic.
• Product performance:
  • Behaves like traditional plastic (melting, flowing, strength, machinability).
  • Used in luxury, cosmetic, and healthcare products.

4. Environmental Benefits

• Rapid degradation:

  "If the bioplastic gets to the marine environment … in four months, it can biodegrade 90% depending on … thickness." — Patricia (09:13)

• No microplastics:

  "You cannot make microplastics with bioplastics. ... It breaks naturally … and is food for other bacteria." — Patricia (09:21)

• Circularity: Material returns to organic matter, feeding other microorganisms.

---

Conversation Highlights (Patricia & Lily James Olds)

5. On Being a "Bacteria Trainer"

(12:41 – 13:52)

• Patricia explains she “trains” bacteria by creating precisely tuned environments, adjusting variables like nutrients, pH, and oxygen, so they convert waste into bioplastic.

  “Bacteria don’t have brains … but they respond precisely to the conditions we create. ... In my case, I train them to transform industrial organic waste into fully biodegradable, microplastic-free bioplastics.” — Patricia (12:56)

6. Recycling’s False Promise

(13:52 – 15:42)

• Only 9% is truly recycled; the rest is incinerated, landfilled, or lost to the environment.
• Recycling degrades plastic quality, requiring more virgin (petro-based) material, perpetuating the cycle.

  "Mechanical recycling is just kicking the problem into the future. It delays the waste and it's not solving the problem." — Patricia (14:26)

7. What’s Needed: Systemic Change

(16:00 – 17:36)

• Calls for reducing problematic waste at the creation stage, not just “recycling better.”
• Pushes for industry responsibility—better materials, better design, circular economy thinking.

  "Change doesn’t happen only in our kitchens. It happens when all the industry, all the system, is accountable." — Patricia (16:57)

8. Shifting Responsibility from Individuals to Companies

(17:36 – 19:20)

• Consumers have little real choice—most products wrapped in plastic by default.

• Advocates for regulatory and social pressure on companies to switch to sustainable packaging and innovation.

  “The important thing here is not to blame the material itself, but to understand what it is designed for and ensure the end of life match with the purpose.” — Patricia (18:05)

9. The Bioplastic Marketplace & Future Growth

(19:20 – 20:46)

• Not all bioplastics are equal; origin and end-of-life properties matter.
• There will be more market alternatives in the near future, but industry adoption and scalability are the big hurdles.

10. Why "No Microplastics" Matters

(20:46 – 22:05)

• Microplastics represent “the biggest silent pollutions of all time.”

• Unlike conventional plastics that break down into persistent microfragments, their bioplastic is certified to degrade into harmless organic compounds.

  “So most conventional plastics never fully disappear … Our material … transforms into harmless organic compounds that microorganisms can naturally consume.” — Patricia (21:32)

11. Bioplastic Strength & Performance

(22:05 – 23:30)

• Dispels myth that “biodegradable” means “fragile” or “weak.”

• Bioplastic durability matches that of traditional plastic and only breaks down in proper composting conditions.

  “Biodegradable doesn’t mean that it disappears anywhere. … The important thing to understand is that biodegradation depends on the environment, not on the material's performance.” — Patricia (22:23)

12. Customization for End-of-Life

(23:30 – 24:10)

• Bioplastics can be tailored: e.g., agricultural films that compost in soil after harvest, luxury goods that only biodegrade at higher temperatures in industrial settings.

13. Challenges to Scaling Up

(26:23 – 27:26)

• Complexity grows with scale; biological and engineering consistency are difficult to maintain.

  “Scaling biotechnology is never a linear process. … When you increase volume, you get the same problems, but magnified.” — Patricia (26:38)

14. The Oil Industry’s Entrenched Power

(27:26 – 28:59)

• Existing plastic companies favor petro-plastics: price, existing machinery, and established processes create resistance to change.

• The oil/plastic industry has strong lobbying power, as seen in political inaction (ex: COP30).

  “It's easy to buy, easy to use, and the machines are adapted … so they are not willing to change because the system works like this.” — Patricia (27:53)

15. Vision for the Future

(29:50 – 31:22)

• Hopes for modular, distributed bioplastic facilities near waste sources to enable massive, global conversion of waste to material.

• Envisions a world where materials are “designed to disappear”—norm, not exception.

  “I want to see materials that are designed to disappear become the norm. … Scaling won't just mean producing more bioplastic, it will mean redesigning the entire segment of the materials economy so that things we use every day … never become pollution again.” — Patricia (30:55)

---

Notable Quotes

• “Plastic is crucial for different social, technological and medical advancements. ... But only 9% of the plastic in the world is recycled.”
  — Patricia Aymà Maldonado (04:47)
• “The perfect illusion of sustainability.”
  — Patricia (06:41), on the false promise of recycling
• “You cannot make microplastics with bioplastics. It is organic, it breaks naturally … and is food for other bacteria for other microorganisms.”
  — Patricia (09:21)
• “Recycling is not a magical solution. ... The system was never designed to reduce production, it was designed to maintain it.”
  — Patricia (14:26)
• “The important thing here is not to blame the material itself, but to understand what it is designed for and ensure the end of life match with the purpose.”
  — Patricia (18:05)
• “Scaling biotechnology is never a linear process. … The challenge is not only to grow, it's to grow while keeping the full stability, the high quality, and the constant performance.”
  — Patricia (26:38)
• “I want the industries to adopt [bioplastics], not as an exception, or maybe as a fear, but as a default. And I want cities to see organic waste not as a problem, but as our raw material.”
  — Patricia (30:55)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic / Discussion Point | |---------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 03:49 | Patricia’s childhood & introduction to bacteria | | 06:20 – 07:35 | Problems with current plastic production & recycling | | 08:16 – 10:10 | How the bioplastic process works at her company | | 12:41 – 13:52 | What is a “bacteria trainer” and scientific details | | 13:52 – 15:42 | The failure of recycling as a system | | 16:00 – 17:36 | Real solutions: rethinking materials & system change | | 17:36 – 19:20 | The need for corporate responsibility & regulation | | 20:46 – 22:05 | Microplastics and why their bioplastic is different | | 22:05 – 23:30 | Performance and durability of their bioplastics | | 26:23 – 27:26 | Major challenges to scaling up | | 27:26 – 28:59 | Oil industry roadblocks & the status quo | | 29:50 – 31:22 | Patricia’s vision for a bioplastic future |

---

Summary & Takeaways

Patricia Aymà Maldonado’s talk and interview articulate the urgent need to address plastic pollution not through incremental consumer efforts or recycling alone, but by transforming how materials are sourced, produced, and designed. Her company’s breakthrough process—training bacteria to convert industrial waste into robust, microplastic-free bioplastic—proves that alternatives exist and can succeed at scale with the right technological and social frameworks. However, lasting change demands industry-wide accountability, consumer awareness, political will, and a bold rethinking of the world’s material economy.

Memorable final vision:

“If we get this right, scaling won't just mean producing more bioplastic, it will mean redesigning the entire segment of the materials economy so that the things we use every day … never become pollution again.” (30:55)

---

For more information about the TED Fellows program and to watch additional talks, visit fellows.ted.com.

Transcript

[Podcast Sponsor/Announcer]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game? Shifting a little money here, a little there, and hoping it all works out well? With the name your price tool from Progressive, you can be a better budgeter and potentially lower your insurance bill too. You tell Progressive what you want to pay for car insurance and they'll help you find options within your budget. Try it [e-mail], progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Price and coverage match limited by state law. Not available in all states.

[Podcast Host Elise Hu]

This episode is brought to you by Grow Therapy. You know that one task you've been putting off since forever? If that task is Start Therapy, Grow Therapy makes it way easier to check off covered by insurance and care can start in just as little as two days. Whether it's your first time in therapy or your 50th, Grow makes it easier to find a therapist who fits you, not the other way around. They connect you with thousands of independent licensed therapists across the U S offering both virtual and in person sessions, nights and weekends. You can search by what matters like insurance, specialty, identity or availability and get started in as little as two days. There are no subscriptions, no long term commitments. You just pay per session. Whatever challenges you're facing, Grow Therapy is here to help. Sessions average about $21 with insurance and some pay as little as $0 depending on their plan. Visit growththerapy.comted today to get started. That's growththerapy.com growtherapy.com TED availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plan. This episode is brought to you by Bombas. As we move into 2026, I'm thinking about comfort differently. Not just physical comfort, but the kind that helps you show up fully, whether that's for a morning run, a long day of meetings, or simply being present at home. BOMBAS makes that possible with their sport specific socks engineered for everything from running to hiking. They've also created incredibly comfortable footwear like their cloud, like Sunday slippers and the lightweight Friday sandal plus base layers that actually feel good all day long. What makes this even better? For every item purchased, BOMBAS donates an essential clothing item to someone facing housing insecurity. Over 150 million donations and counting. Head over to bombas.com TTD and use code TTD for 20% off your first purchase. That's B O M T code TTD at checkout. You're listening to TED Talks Daily where we bring you new ideas and conversations to spark your curiosity every day. I'm your host, Elise Hu Today's talk is part of our new TED Fellows films adapted for podcasts just for our TED Talks daily listeners. This is part of a special series of episodes we release throughout the year showcasing the incredible stories behind the TED Fellows program which supports a network of global innovators. Today, we'd like you to meet biotechnologist Patricia Aima Maldonado. Patricia is a self described bacteria trainer who thinks that these tiny microorganisms that are impossible to see with the naked eye are actually Earth's greatest superheroes. She presents a groundbreaking technology that trains bacteria to transform organic waste into biodegradable plastic that behaves like the real thing and digs into why this sustainable approach could revolutionize the plastics industry. After we hear from Patricia, stick around for her conversation with TED Fellows program director Lily James Olds.

[Patricia Aima Maldonado]

I remember all my childhood being at the doctor and my frequent pneumonia were due to bacteria. At high school I went to a natural science fair and I met two older students that they told me that they were like modifying bacteria for producing proteins and solve hunger in the wall and that scenario just changed my life because I didn't know the potential of bacteria. They are the most special creature on earth because they are super powerful. They just can kill you or save you in a second. I am Patricia Imam Maldonado and I am a bacteria trainer. In 2018 I founded the company we are producing a biodevable bioplast with bacteria that eat organic waste. I think that plastic isn't a problem itself, it's how we produce it, how we use it and how we dispose of it. Plastic is crucial for different social, technological and medical advancements. We use it in whatever you can think. Plastic is light, plastic is soft, plastic is flexible and it has a very good performance that not other products can give. We need plastic. Traditionally, plastic is extracted from petrol sources. Petrol based plastic stick around for a long time and only 9% of the plastic in the world is recycled. 90% of the plastic is incinerated and 50% goes to landfills. When it gets recycled, it loses quality. So it is quite important to mix it again with virgin plastic in order to have the best application of the product. When I mean virgin plastic, I mean the plastic that is extracted for the first time from this fraction of the petroleum data from 2023 it shows that extraction of virgin plastic has increased. So that means that we are promoting recycling and also virgin production. Plastic is increasing so it is the perfect illusion of sustainability. If we do nothing in 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the sea, it is still growing and will continue growing if we do not change how the system is accountable on that. Because it often seems that the full responsibility falls into individuals. No matter how you try to avoid single use plastics, no matter how you separate properly at your home, it will never be enough. A company puts a plastic product and the customer has to take care of the planet. I need that plastic. You are not giving me another solution. They have to start thinking about the future. It's time to be accountable and to substitute this type of materials for the ones that can take care of the planet. So a bioplastic is a plastic that meets one of these two conditions. It is bioplastic from its origin. That means there is no petro based plastic. Or it is a bioplastic for its zen of life. That means that it is biodegradable or compostable. Our bioplastic is durable bioplastic from its origin to its end of life. We work with agri food companies, for example, a beer production company, and they give to us the leftover or the spent yeast from the beer production. At first stage, we have a group of bacteria that cook the waste, okay? They are like the chef and they cook the waste. So that is like really tasty. For a second stage, another one group of bacteria take that tasty waste and produce the bioplastic. And at the end we obtain the bioplastic. This is a thing that some kind of bacteria can do, not all the bacteria can do. And it's an adaptive survival skill. You have to ask bacteria for doing something and she will do it. For me, bacteria is a girl, okay? So it's a supergirl. We work with a system that is installed there, where the waste is generated in the customer facilities. And we start taking the waste directly into our model, our box, and that is working 24 hours a day. It is a new scenario for companies working with us. They go from managing a waste into having a real benefit, a real value. Because they do not have to change machines, they have to change the mentality. Right now we already treating three tons of spent yeast in a day. We take 300 grams of spent yeast to produce one kilo of our bioplastic. It has the same appearance and it behaves really similar. It means that it can melt, it can flow, it can enter in the machines, it can give you like strength, you know, and you just can make the same products as petrol based plastics. Right now this bioplastic is already working in luxury, like the parfum, the cosmetics, healthcare, whatever you can imagine. With a plastic that behaves as a petrol based plastic. You know, if you throw the plastic away that I don't want you to do that, by the way.

I want you to separate properly.

But if you do it, then we can inspect the bioplastic gets to the marine environment and maybe in four months it can biodegrade in 90% depending on the width that the bioplastic has. You cannot make microplastics with bioplastics. It is organic, it breaks naturally like in small compounds and is food for other bacteria for other microorganisms. Having these bacteria right now and having our plant already functioning, working with 3 tons of organic waste a day, transforming this into bioplastic, it put up in the first line of this marathon, this global marathon. This is a new way, a new alternative to take care of the planet. It is what I work for and it is really worth it.

[Podcast Host Elise Hu]

Up next, a special conversation between Patricia and Ted Fellows program director Lily James Olds where they discuss what led Patricia to her love of microorganisms and how the technology she developed actually works, her team's plans to scale it and more. That's coming up right after a short break. This episode is sponsored by Defender. Are you a trailblazer, a risk taker, someone with countless tales of epic adventure? Well, even the boldest among us started small, daring themselves to reach greater goals each day. If you're looking to take on a challenge like that, the Defender is too. It's a vehicle built for drivers capable of great things, whether they're headed towards uncharted territory or just a weekend getaway. The Defender is a vehicle built to meet challenges head on so you can explore with confidence. It's not just tough. With a rigid body design tested to the extreme, it's smart with next gen technology like 3D surround cameras that let you see under the vehicle and a clear sight rear view mirror so you can always see what's behind you, even if the back window's blocked. It makes driving and parking simpler with driver aid technologies and intuitive driver displays that are customizable to your journey. Explore the full Defender lineup@land roverusa.com this episode is brought to you by Whole Foods Market. You know what I love about January? It's that fresh start energy we all feel. And this year I'm actually going to try and keep my goals realistic, which means I need places that make healthy choices easy and affordable. That's why I've been spending more time at my local whole foods market. Their 365 brand has been a Game changer for busy weeks for me and my family. I'm talking about ready to eat salad kits and ready to heat rice and bean blends that I pair with their sustainably sourced wild caught sockeye salmon. The quality is there, but so is the value. I'm also looking forward to simplifying my mornings with Nature's Path granola. Just an easy win. You can throw it on your yogurt when you're trying to build better habits. And if you're doing dry January, their non alcoholic section is actually pretty impressive. No alcohol, beers, wines, mocktails, all of it. Must be 21 plus in select states. The thing is, Whole Foods Market makes it possible to stick with those new Year intentions without meal prepping for hours or breaking the bank. Shop all things wellness at Whole Foods Market.

[Lily James Olds]

Hi, Patricia, Welcome. I'm so looking forward to speaking with you today.

[Patricia Aima Maldonado]

Hello, Lily.

[Lily James Olds]

Okay, so I have to start with this. You call yourself a bacteria trainer, a term I've never heard used before. And I'm guessing I'm not the only one. What does that actually mean? Tell us how you work with bacteria.

[Patricia Aima Maldonado]

So calling myself a bacteria trainer is the best way I can explain what I do. It's simple and it's true. And it makes people to stop and say, wait, what? And sometimes science sounds too serious and people lose interest. So this concept helps me to get their attention and shows how amazing biotechnology really is. Going deeper. So bacteria don't have brains, of course, but they respond precisely to the conditions we create. So I study their behavior, understand their needs, and design the preferred conditions for them to perform at their best. So in practice, that means adjusting the environment, the nutrients, the pH, the temperature, the oxygen levels, and even the timing of the growth cycles. And in my case, I trained them to transform industrial organic waste into fully biodegradable, microplastic free bioplastics.

[Lily James Olds]

You know, I think one of the things that stood out to me when we were talking before is that obviously a lot of us have known for years that recycling sadly isn't that effective. But it surprised me to hear you explain how recycling actually requires the use of more virgin or new plastic production. Which of course seems totally counterproductive to the point of recycling in the first place. And you know, you called that, I think, the perfect illusion of sustainability. Can you tell me a little bit more about how your company is doing things differently?

[Patricia Aima Maldonado]

So, yeah, we've been told for years that recycling will fix everything, but it hasn't. Only 9% of the wall plastic get recycled. The rest is either incinerated approximately 19%, landfill 50% and or simply lost in environment. That is the 22%. And here's the shocking part. The more we recycle, the more virgin plastic we produce. So plastic is made of long polymer chains. And when we cut or damage those chains during mechanical recycling, they become shorter. And that means that the material has fewer possible uses. Recycling is not a magical solution. A bottle may become a shampoo bottle at first, then a playground floor and then a pipe, and that's the end of the life. So mechanical recycling lose quality of recycle. So it always needs to be blended with new plastic that we call virgin plastic. The plastic that is extracted for the first time from petroleum sources. So in other words, the system has never designed to reduce production, it was designed to maintain it. So we say that is the perfect solution. But because we promote recycling, global plastic production keeps increasing. Mechanical recycling is just kicking the problem into the future. It delays the waste and it's not solving the problem.

[Lily James Olds]

I mean, those stats on recycling are. That's just wild and depressing.

[Patricia Aima Maldonado]

Yes.

[Lily James Olds]

You know, I feel like some might be hearing that and thinking, what's the point of recycling to begin with? And I know you and your company are doing things differently, but can you speak to that?

[Patricia Aima Maldonado]

We have two types of recycling, okay? Mechanical that I've talked before, and chemical. And chemical recycling could help in the future because it breaks plastic down to its basic molecules so you can make a new virgin material again. But right now is extremely expensive. So the point is that we're recycler today because that's the system we have. If someone at home is listening right now thinking, why should I recycle? Please don't stop. It still matters, okay? Because the system right now is this and we are part of the system. The industry is huge and we can't pretend it will disappear overnight. And today the most sustainable thing we can do is limit the consumption and recycle what we use. But if we want a real system level change, we must reduce the creation of these problematic waste at the first place. And that means rethinking the material itself. So we are not endlessly trying to repair a system built on materials that were never designed to be circular. We also need to push companies to take responsibility to adopt better materials, better designs and better alternatives like bioplastics. So at Venviro, we work with bacteria that eat organic waste and turn it into a fully biodegradable microplastic, free bioplastic, a material that comes from organic waste. And returns to organic matter when it degrades. So instead of creating a material that needs rescuing, we create one that never becomes a problem at the first place. Change doesn't happen only in our kitchens. It happens when all the industry, all the system, is accountable.

[Lily James Olds]

Right, and you talk about this earlier too, right? How do we start to shift the responsibility to the companies that manufacture the plastic unsustainably to begin with and I guess specifically what feels actually possible right now?

[Patricia Aima Maldonado]

Yeah, so we spent so many years telling people to recycle better, to buy less plastic and choose the right bin. Yet during all this time, the industry has continued producing materials that simply cannot be recycled at scale. So a quick visit to the supermarket shows how almost everything is wrapped in plastic that you never ask for. But the moment you reach the checkout, the responsibility suddenly becomes yours. You can take a plastic bag, a material that we all know is harmful, as long as you pay for it. So the truth is that the system offers very few real options. And this is where we need, like a mindset shift. The important thing here is not to blame the material itself, but to understand what it is designed for and ensure the end of life match with the purpose. And if a customer wants to help change the rules, they can. By calling out on sustainable packaging publicity, or maybe by using social media to demand better materials, or by supporting brands that generally innovate and question those that don't. By asking supermarkets why something is right the way it is, or by voting parties that support innovation, not just policies, the focus almost entirely on recycling. So regulations should open the door to alternative materials so we can move toward more sustainable options. We are in a moment of a big change, and we need consumers to stay as informed as possible and keep. Keep their mind open.

[Lily James Olds]

How many other companies are doing what you're doing? You know, are you all alone in this process? Or like, where are we in that shift of thinking, you know, and starting this transition and systems change from the beginning instead of the end and putting it on the consumer. Where do you and your team sit in the landscape? Please tell me there are many others doing this work.

[Patricia Aima Maldonado]

Yes. So as I said before, we have different, many bioplastics in the market. Okay. And these bioplastics, it is important to know what is the origin of the bioplastics and what is going to be the end of life. Okay, so this is our case. We come from biological sources, and also we can biodegrade in the environment, but there are bioplastics that come from biological sources, but they cannot Biodegrade and also other type of bioplastics that can come from petrol based sources, but they can biodegrade. So they enter in the same scenario. Okay, at the end, what is important here is to know what do you want to use the material and what is going to be the end of life of the material. So much alternatives will come in the next years. We need the industry with their mind open because we need them to test the new products and also that we need them to help us scale all these processes so that this is economically feasible for them.

[Lily James Olds]

So, you know, you mentioned, Patricia, that your bioplastic doesn't create microplastics as it breaks down into those natural organic compounds. Can you say a little bit more specifically about why that is such a breakthrough?

[Patricia Aima Maldonado]

Yeah, it is important to say that because there is so much malinformation of fake news about everything. I think that it is quite dangerous to talk about this. But microplastics are one of the biggest silent pollutions of all time. They are invisible and they are getting everywhere. In the sea, in the soil, in the air and already inside our bodies. So most conventional plastics never fully disappear and they simply break into these small pieces that persist for decades. So our material can break into small pieces, but because it is fully biodegradable, those pieces continue degrading until they disappear completely. So it transforms into harmless organic compounds that microorganisms can naturally consume. So there is no toxicity and more important, no microplastic residue. We know that the biodegradation of our bioplastic is safe for the environment thanks to certifications like to Austria. They verify that our material is safe for the specific environment or the end of life scenario that will be used.

[Lily James Olds]

And I guess another question I have is, you know, I think when we think of bioplastics, sometimes it seems like it might not be as durable or as long lasting if it's also capable of, you know, completely degrading and being composted. Can you speak to those, those fears?

[Patricia Aima Maldonado]

It's important to clarify something. Biodegradable doesn't mean that it disappears anywhere. I think that the word has often been used too loosely. So, Lily, are you afraid to walk down the street with a cardboard folder because it might biodegrade in your hands?

[Lily James Olds]

Terrified. No, just kidding.

[Patricia Aima Maldonado]

No, of course not. So you trust that it's made of an organic material, this cardboard folder, and that will only break down when the time is right and you know it will never turn into microplastic. So that's the exact same idea. The important thing to understand is that biodegradation depends on the environment, not on the material's performance. Our bioplastic work likes any conventional plastic during its normal use and it can handle temperature, pressure, transport and production processes. And durability is not the issue. The bioduration process only starts when the material enters the right conditions, humidity, microorganism or a composting environment.

[Lily James Olds]

But it doesn't need a traditional recycling facility. You're saying it just needs to be in the right context in the environment to be able to break down properly?

[Patricia Aima Maldonado]

Yeah, depending on the final formulation and the final use of the plastic. So for example, if we create the material for agriculture films, we can program it to biodegradable in the soil once the crop cycle is finished. And if we design a premium parfum cup, then it will have like another type of formulation that assures that only with a big temperature in an industrial composting system can just start biodegradation. I think the most important question here is what are you going to use your bioplasty? We'll have a formulation that will access faster humidity and microorganisms inside or not.

[Podcast Host Elise Hu]

And stick with us. We'll be right back after a short break. This episode is brought to you by Whole Foods Market. You know what I love about January? It's that fresh start energy we all feel. And this year I'm actually gonna try and keep my goals realistic. Which means I need places that make healthy choices easy and affordable. That's why I've been spending more time at my local Whole foods market. Their 365 brand has been a game changer for busy weeks for me and my family. I'm talking about Ready to Eat salad kits and Ready to Heat rice and bean blends that I pair with their sustainably sourced wild caught sockeye salmon. The quality is there, but so is the value. I'm also looking forward to simplifying my mornings with Nature's Path granola. Just an easy win. You can throw it on your yogurt when you're trying to build better habits. If you're doing dry January, their non alcoholic section is actually pretty impressive. No alcohol, beers, wines, mocktails, all of it must be 21 plus in select states. The thing is, Whole Foods Market makes it possible to stick with those new Year intentions without meal prepping for hours or breaking the bank. Shop all things wellness at Whole Foods Market.

[Podcast Sponsor/Announcer]

This podcast is brought to you by wise, the app for international people using money around the Globe. With the WISE account, you can send spend and receive in over 40 currencies with no markups and no hidden fees. Whether you're sending pounds across the pond, spending rials in Rio, or getting paid in dollars for your side gig, you'll get the mid market exchange rate on every transaction. Plus most transfers arrive in less than 20 seconds. Join 15 million customers internationally. Be smart. Get wise. Download the Wise app today or visit wise.com Ts and Cs apply. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, monetary magicians. These are things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds. Visit progressive.com to see if you could save Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations.

[Lily James Olds]

I'm curious, what challenges are you facing when it comes to scaling up this technology? I mean, it's good to hear that there's others that are trying to do this work as well, but what are those challenges when you think about, you know, scaling up and doing this at an even larger level?

[Patricia Aima Maldonado]

Yeah, so scaling. Biotechnology is never a linear process. Every step becomes more complex as you grow. Like when you increase volume, you don't get new problems. You get the same problems, but magnified. So one of the biggest challenges, it's simply time. The time it takes to detect an issue and the time you have to fix it before it affects the whole batch. So the challenge is not only to grow, it's to grow while keeping the full stability, the high quality, and the constant performance across all the stages we have. So kalimbiotechnology is a race between the biology, the engineering, and the time. So right now we are improving all these three at once.

[Lily James Olds]

And I'm curious, what role does the oil industry play in all of this? Do they have a part in some of these challenges that we're facing?

[Patricia Aima Maldonado]

Yeah, it's a complex relationship. For example, if you want to do a plastic cup, you have the, the, the company that have like the mold. That is something really special in the plastic industry because every product has its mold. They buy specified material to the petrol oil plastic industry. And this company has had this material for a long time, like more than 50 and 100 years. They have these materials and they have performed the R and D and everything. And right now they just take it. They know how to put it in the machines and they have the plastic cup at the end. Okay. It's so easy. They don't need to change anything because it's really an established system. And also it's really cheap because if our bioplastic costs 3 or 4 or €5 kilo, they cost 1.5. So they have a big scale system that is already established. It's easy to buy, easy to use, and the machines are adapted to that. So they are not willing to change because the system works like this. For years we haven't talked with this type of companies because the system is so established. That is, it's something that they don't feel right now.

[Lily James Olds]

Right. So there's no, at this moment, there's not yet in place any kinds of incentives to help grow what you're doing. So it seems like that's a real place, that there's growth needed.

[Patricia Aima Maldonado]

I've listened about the lobby, the plastic lobby. Just recent news from the COP30. They talk about the plastic pollution and they didn't get a commitment there. So they have a lobby for sure. They control also the interests of different governments. And if a country has petrol, they have plastic. So it is quite a complex scenario here. It is a system change. So we are starting with the companies that they have a purpose on what they do and they are engaged on that purpose. And then the change will come. Because if you want to be relevant, you have to have a very good purpose. And sustainability is the purpose that you need to have if you want to be relevant in the future.

[Lily James Olds]

Yeah. And I guess what are your hopes? Let's go there. What are your hopes for how what you're doing and what others are doing could scale and what could be possible in the next five or 10 years? What's the future that you imagine and want to see as it relates to this coming in the horizon?

[Patricia Aima Maldonado]

Yeah. So I hope we move from probing the technology to deploying it at scale. And there are different sides. On the bioprocess side, our goal is to multiply the capacity by orders of magnitude. So not by building one giant plant, but by creating this network of modular facilities that can be replicated near the surface of the organic waste. So if we can concentrate these organic wastes and efficiently produce the bioplastic in big reactors in full stability, we can convert huge amounts of global waste streams into bioplastic. And they want this technology to be a standard infrastructure. Okay. But the real hope goes beyond our company. I want to see materials that are designed to disappear become the norm. I want the industries to adopt them, not as an deception, or maybe as a fear, but as a default. And I want cities to be organic waste, not as a problem, but as our raw material. And if we get this right, scaling won't just mean producing more bioplastic, it will mean redesigning the entire segment of the materials economy so that the things we use every day and return to the environment and never become pollution again.

[Lily James Olds]

I love that. That's a beautiful place, I think to end the conversation. Thank you for this Patricia. It's always so lovely to talk to you hear about your bacteria training. So thanks for for joining us today.

[Patricia Aima Maldonado]

Thank you very much, Lily.

[Podcast Host Elise Hu]

That was Patricia aima Maldonado, a 2025 TED Fellow. To learn more about the TED Fellows program and watch all the TED Fellows films, go to fellows.ted.com and that's it for today. This episode was produced by Lucy Little, edited by Alejandra Salazar, in fact fact checked by Eva Dasher. The audio you heard at the top comes from the short film made by Divya Gadangi and Owen Maclean Story, edited by Corey Hajim and produced by Ian Lowe. Video Production Manager is Searing Dolma. Additional support from Lily James Olds, Leone Horster and Allegra Pearl. TED Talks Daily is part of the TED Audio Collective. Our team includes Martha Estefanos, Oliver Friedman, Brian Greene, Lucy Lynn Little and Tonsika Songmar Nivong. Additional support from Emma Tobner and Daniela Ballorezo. I'm Elise Hu. I'll be back tomorrow with a fresh idea for your feed. Thanks for listening.

[Podcast Sponsor/Announcer]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever think about switching insurance companies to see if you could save some cash? Progressive makes it easy to see if you could save when you bundle your home and auto policies. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states. Blood donation is now more inclusive. More people are able to donate blood with the American Red Cross through FDA guidelines that eliminate eligibility questions based on sexual orientation. The Red Cross celebrates this historic change and welcomes those who may be newly eligible to donate blood. There's a place for everyone in the mission of the Red Cross. The Red Cross is committed to achieving an inclusive blood donation process that treats all potential donors with equality and respect, while maintaining the safety of the blood supply. Join us and help save lives. To learn more and make your appointment to donate blood, visit redcrossblood.org LGBTQ that's redcrossblood.org LGBTQ this message is brought to you by the Capital One Venture X Card. Venture X offers the premium benefits you expect, like a $300 annual Capital One travel credit for less than you expect. Elevate your earn with unlimited double miles on every purchase, bringing you one step closer to your next dream destination. Plus, enjoy access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide. The Capital One Venture X Card card what's in your wallet? Terms apply. Lounge access is subject to change. See capitalone.com for details.