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