** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** OVER THE PAST 50 YEARS, THE GLOBAL PRODUCTION OF POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE (PET) PLASTIC HAS SURGED TO 80 MILLION METRIC TONS ANNUALLY DUE TO ITS DURABILITY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS. HOWEVER, LESS THAN 20% OF PET IS RECYCLED, WITH THE REST ENDING UP IN LANDFILLS OR INCINERATED, CONTRIBUTING SIGNIFICANTLY TO PLASTIC POLLUTION. PET BREAKS DOWN INTO MICROPLASTICS, POSING ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS, INCLUDING CONTAMINATION AND TOXICITY THAT AFFECT PLANT AND SOIL HEALTH. A PROMISING SOLUTION INVOLVES THE ENZYME PETASE (PETASE), WHICH CAN BREAK DOWN PET, PRODUCING WATER-SOLUBLE BYPRODUCTS WITH MINIMAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. WHILE RESEARCH HAS EXPLORED PETASE'S MECHANISMS AND ENHANCEMENTS, PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS REMAIN LIMITED.THIS RESEARCH FOCUSES ON IMMOBILIZING PETASE ONTO SOLID SUPPORTS LIKE ACTIVATED CHARCOAL (AC), COMMONLY USED IN WATER PURIFICATION, TO IMPROVE ITS STABILITY AND REUSABILITY IN EXTREME CONDITIONS. THIS APPROACH AIMS TO ENHANCE MICROPLASTIC DEGRADATION IN WATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS, ADDRESSING A SIGNIFICANT RESEARCH GAP IN THE APPLICATION OF PET HYDROLASE ENZYMES FOR BIOREMEDIATION. KEY OBJECTIVES INCLUDE OPTIMIZING THE IMMOBILIZATION CONDITIONS AND DEMONSTRATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF IMMOBILIZED PETASE IN DEGRADING MICROPLASTICS IN SIMULATED WATER SYSTEMS. THIS RESEARCH AIMS TO PROVIDE PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS FOR INTEGRATING PETASE INTO INDUSTRIAL WATER TREATMENT, ULTIMATELY IMPROVING WATER QUALITY AND REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL PLASTIC POLLUTION.