Researchers at the University of Edinburgh demonstrated a novel biotechnological method to convert plastic waste into paracetamol, a widely used painkiller. By combining synthetic chemistry and engineered Escherichia coli bacteria, they catalyzed the Lossen rearrangement reaction in conditions previously considered toxic to cells. This hybrid approach achieved a 92% conversion rate of degraded PET plastic into paracetamol. Pharmaceutical companies including AstraZeneca are collaborating to scale this sustainable production method, signaling a paradigm shift towards circular bioeconomy solutions for pharmaceutical manufacturing.