From waste to opportunity: The potential of microbial biodegradation in plastic pollution mitigation

• Engineered Pseudomonas-Aspergillus can degrade PET and PE polymers co-metabolically. • Integrated membrane filtration with MBR can increase plastic removal efficiency by >90 %. • Laccase-immobilized Fe3O4 nanoparticles enhance the degradation and reduce membrane fouling. • GMO containment protocols for open wastewater system can address the regulatory hurdles. • Hydraulic retention time and optimal temperature and pH can enhance microbial activities. Plastic pollution has reached alarming levels globally, necessitating innovative and sustainable solutions beyond conventional mechanical and chemical recycling. This review comprehensively examines the potential of microbial populations in degrading synthetic polymers, focusing on screening strategies, enzymatic mechanisms, and environmental adaptability. We highlight key microbial candidates, including Ideonella sakaiensis (PETase), Pseudomonas spp., and algal-fungal consortia, and evaluate advanced techniques such as metagenomics, CRISPR engineering, and nano-biohybrid catalysts for enhancing degradation efficiency. The article critically analyzes physicochemical factors (temperature, pH, biofilms) influencing microbial activity and explores scalable applications like bioaugmentation in landfills and membrane bioreactors for wastewater treatment. Despite promising advancements, challenges persist, including slow degradation rates, microplastic byproducts, and regulatory hurdles for genetically modified organisms (GMOs). We emphasize the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating microbiology, engineering, and policy, to develop hybrid waste management systems that combine microbial solutions with circular economy principles. This study identifies key microorganisms, such as Ideonella sakaiensis, Pseudomonas spp., and various fungi, and elucidate their metabolic pathways and enzymes involved in plastic degradation. The review also analyzes environmental conditions that optimize microbial degradation, including the use of bioreactors and nano-biohybrid systems. Moreover, the study also critically assesses the limitations and risks of microbial degradation, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary approaches and global cooperation to develop large-scale solutions aligned with circular economy principles. Additionally, the review highlights recent innovations, such as combining microbial degradation with physicochemical methods to enhance efficiency. Our review aims to provide a comprehensive resource for researchers, policymakers, and educators, underscoring the critical role of microorganisms in addressing plastic pollution. By synthesizing current research and future directions, this review underscores microbial biodegradation as a transformative tool in the global effort to mitigate plastic pollution, provided technological innovation is matched by supportive infrastructure and governance frameworks.