Three waxworms model for the photo shoot on plastic consumed by them. (Harald Grove/Brandon University) (CN) — Each year, 100 million tons of polyethylene plastic are produced globally, and in the ...

Plastics play a fundamental role in modern life, but their resistance to biodegradation makes them very difficult to dispose of. New research reveals how "plastivore" caterpillars can metabolically ...

To date, several different microorganisms have been found to participate in the biodegradation of various synthetic plastic materials following their isolation from the soil of plastic-dumping sites, ...

You may know the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a chunky insect that devours everything in its sight, including five whole oranges and even a slice of chocolate cake. In reality, many creepy ...

Two substances in the saliva of wax worms — moth larvae that eat wax made by bees to build honeycombs — readily break down a common type of plastic, researchers said on Tuesday, in a potential advance ...

A common insect larvae could be inadvertently contributing to microplastic pollution in our rivers and waterways by chewing up litter, a new study has found A common insect larvae could be ...

Imagine using insects as a source of chemicals to make plastics that can biodegrade later -- with the help of that very same type of bug. That concept is closer to reality than you might expect.

Technically, it exists. But here’s what to think about when shopping. Credit...Naomi Anderson-Subryan Supported by By Hiroko Tabuchi On the face of it, biodegradable plastic is a miracle. It looks ...

In phase 1, specific microorganisms, like bacteria and fungi, colonize the surface of the plastic material. These microorganisms can either be present naturally in the environment or added ...

In agricultural production, microplastics have become environmental pollutants that cannot be ignored. They may not only ...