In recent years, science has identified some insects that eat plastic. But can we expect them to rid us of all our plastic waste? Researchers have the answer.
A few weeks ago, a revelation created a stir in the media. A special appetite of mealybug larvae that… PolystyrenePolystyrene. Then the idea arose again of entrusting these few insects, which are now known to decompose. PlasticPlasticcare to solve the problems created by our waste. We must remember that we now produce more than 450 million tons of plastic every year. A figure that could triple by 2060. And a large part of this plastic ends up in nature. The rest requires a certain amount of effort to process and recycle.
How much plastic can a worm eat?
But is it really reasonable to think that insects can eat so much plastic? Just a few years ago, when he discovered by chance that wax moths (Galleria Melonella) ate plastic bags – after all, the wax they eat is made up of a long chain like plastic.AtomAtom Of CarbonCarbon -, researchers from the University of Cambridge (UK) wanted to get an idea.
They put wax worms. polyethylenepolyethylene (PE), the most common form of plastic in the world. And they reported in the journal. Current biology That each worm digs an average of 2.2 holes per hour. In one night, one hundred waxworms reduced 92 mg from one plastic bag. A rate at which it would take them about a month to break down an entire bag of about 5.5 grams.
When it comes to the fight against plastic pollution, the priority lies elsewhere.
According to the European Commission, at least 5 million tons of plastic waste are thrown into the world’s oceans every year. To eliminate them, it would therefore be necessary to mobilize several tens of millions of wax worms. or other insects because researchers now think there may be many other species capable of decomposition. EthyleneEthylene glycol, in this case a product found in antifreeze – plastics. But they still believe that without limiting production and promoting recycling, we won’t be able to solve the problem of plastic pollution. Meanwhile, the adoption of the global agreement to eliminate plastic pollution discussed in Busan (South Korea) a few days ago has been postponed until next year!
