Scientists have discovered enzymes capable of degrading polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The enzymes, Ideonella sakaiensis PETase and MHETase can work in tandem to recycle PET. PETase first converts PET to mono-(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (MHET); MHETase then coverts MHET to terephthalate and ethylene glycol. A recent paper describes the structure of MHETase.