Chinese scientists have discovered a method to decompose stubborn plastic waste. The study claims that it can be done with the help of a worm that can fully digest and degrade plastic into carbon dioxide and nutrition.
The finding was jointly published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Environmental Science & Technology by professor Yang Jun, from Beihang University, and Dr Zhao Jiao, from the Shenzhen-based genomics organisation BGI.
Their research proved that the larvae of Tenebrio molitor, also known as yellow mealworms, can be fed with polystyrene, one of the most stubborn in the plastic family, as per the state-run China News Service reports.
The plastic can be fully digested by the worm and degraded into CO2 or nutrition for the worm.
