Australian scientists discover superworms can live on a diet of polystyrene

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Australian scientists discover superworms can live on a diet of polystyrene
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Researchers says it’s a first step to discovering natural enzymes that could be used to recycle this type of plastic

Larvae of the darkling beetle can survive on a diet of plastic, pointing to new methods of processing the planet’s tide of garbage.Scientists in Australia have discovered that superworms can live and even grow on a diet of only polystyrene, also known colloquially as styrofoam. Superworm is a common name for the larval stages of the darkling beetle . The researchers described their finding as a “first step” in discovering natural enzymes that could be used to recycle this type of plastic.

Every year the world produces upwards of 400-million tonnes of plastic, and the durable material has become a garbage nightmare. Plastics are filling up landfills but also spilling into the natural environment, where they breakdown and poison wildlife, and have been introduced into the water cycle and even human blood.

Used for things such as coffee cups and packing peanuts, polystyrene is one of the most common plastics in production. It accounts for “up to 7—10% of the total non-fibre plastic production,” according to the paper.

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