A solution to the growing crisis of plastic in the environment may be at . Researchers have discovered that a tiny caterpillar, commonly known as a waxworm, has a for plastic. Researchers from Cambridge University in the UK say that the waxworm devours plastic at " high speeds". They say that it is to utilize this environmentally-friendly solution to global waste on an scale. Millions of waxworms could be bred to spend their days breaking down and consuming plastic bags, , household items and other discarded waste. Around a plastic bags end up in landfills around the world each year. They take to biodegrade.
Researcher Dr Paolo Bombelli said: "It's extremely, exciting because breaking down plastic has proved so ." He said the waxworm can break down a notoriously plastic like polyethylene more than 1,400 times faster than other organisms. The waxworm uses enzymes in its to break the plastic's chemical bonds. It might be possible one day to replicate these and spray them on waste to make it decompose. Another researcher said: "We are planning to this finding in a way to get rid of plastic waste, working towards a solution to save our , rivers, and all the environment from the consequences of plastic ."
