Scientists create an enzyme that can recycle plastic bottles in a matter of hours

French researchers have discovered an enzyme that can break plastic bottles down into their chemical building blocks in several hours. Those chemical building blocks can then create new, high-quality plastic bottles, The Guardian reports. Traditional recycling methods usually produce low-quality plastic that can only be used in clothing and carpet.

The enzyme was first discovered in a compost pile of leaves. The scientists that discovered the enzyme were able to use it to break down a ton of plastic bottles in 10 hours, and then turn the waste plastic into new food-grade plastic bottles.

Spring leaves arrive in the Southeast 3-4 weeks earlier than long-term average

First leaves and first blooms have arrived in the Southeast this year much earlier than the long-term average (1981-2010), the USA National Phenology Network reports. In parts of the