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Scientists find lesser mealworm's potential to combat plastic waste (news.cgtn.com)

submitted 1 week ago by not_now_kitten@lemmus.org to c/science@mander.xyz

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According to Khamis, this is the first time that the African native smaller mealworms' ability to decompose plastics has been recorded.

She stated that while Africa generates only 5 percent and uses 4 percent of global plastic, there is an increase in the usage of single-use plastic, making the continent the second most polluted.

Khamis said scientists tested the ability of the lesser mealworm to consume polystyrene, one of the major microplastics that is fast accumulating both in land and water bodies.

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[–] Hamartiogonic@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 week ago

Maybe one day plastic processing plants could use larvae to eat the waste. We’re already using microbes in this way, so why not extend the same idea to larger creatures.