The Brilliance of Bacteria (and How They Combat Waste) | Patricia Aymà Maldonado | TED

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 [who] told me that they were like modifying bacteria for producing proteins and solv[ing] hunger in the world.

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 Ayma Maldonado, and I am a bacteria trainer.

In 2018, I founded the company. We are producing a biodegradable bioplastic 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 wherever you can think. Plastic is light, plastic is soft, plastic is flexible, and it has a very good performance that [no] other products can give.

We need plastic. Traditionally, plastic is extracted from petrol sources.