Would you eat a cookie scientists 3D-printed from old plastic BOTTLES?

Scientists have managed to turn material from a discarded plastic bottle into an edible vanilla-flavoured cookie in a bizarre experiment that could one day help tackle food shortages.

The unusual food was created by researchers working with the American Chemical Society, who transformed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – the plastic commonly used in drinks bottles – into flavouring ingredients.

Rather than the plastic itself being eaten, researchers used a chemical process to break the PET down into its component molecules before turning them into vanillin, the main flavour compound found in vanilla, as reported by Whats The Jam.

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The result was a sweet treat that began life as a plastic bottle.

The researchers say the technique could potentially provide a new source of food ingredients while also helping tackle plastic waste.

The experiment has sparked particular interest over whether similar technology could eventually be used to produce food for people living in extreme environments, including astronauts.

Space missions face major challenges when it comes to carrying enough food, with supplies adding weight and taking up valuable room aboard spacecraft.

Researchers are therefore looking at ways of producing useful materials from waste that would otherwise have to be discarded.

The team’s experiment demonstrates how plastic waste could potentially be transformed into something with a completely different use.

But the process is still at an experimental stage and there is no suggestion that people should start eating old drinks bottles.

The researchers first broke down PET using biological processes before converting the resulting material into vanillin.

The compound can then be used to give food a vanilla flavour.

The American Chemical Society said the work demonstrates a possible route towards converting plastic waste into valuable products rather than allowing it to accumulate.

And while a cookie made from a former drinks bottle sounds like something from a sci-fi film, researchers believe the approach could eventually have applications far beyond the kitchen.

The idea could be particularly useful in closed environments where waste needs to be recycled and supplies are limited.

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