It’s easy to lose track of just how much plastic we consume and discard on a regular basis, with packaging, electronic parts, household items, and even medical care all contributing. The average North American consumes over 220 pounds of plastic per year! Scientists have long struggled to find ways to deal with this overwhelming surplus of plastic, but a recent discovery in the world of bugs could hold the key to solving our plastic pollution problem.
How plastic pollution affects you and the environment
According to the United Nations Environmental Program, 22 to 43% of all plastics end up in landfills instead of recycling plants, and an estimated 5.25 trillion plastic particles are currently floating in our oceans. The production of plastic is far outpacing our ability to reuse or dispose of it properly.
Environmental effects
Marine pollution: Plastic pollution is trapping marine animals and birds who ingest the plastic and become sick or die.
Climate change: Biodegradable plastic waste in landfills degrades slowly, producing methane and carbon dioxide, which contribute to climate change.
Health threats
Chemicals in plastic, such as Bisphenol-A, have been linked to metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. Additionally, the toxins released by decomposing plastics in the ocean can contaminate the food chain, posing a threat to human health.
Wax Worms: Plastic-eating bugs may be a solution to plastic pollution
A recent study found that wax worms, the larvae of the moth Galleria mellonella, are capable of eating and digesting plastic. Researchers placed 100 wax worms inside a plastic shopping bag and were surprised to find that the worms had eaten their way out, consuming 13% of the plastic in 12 hours.
This discovery holds potential for a different approach to controlling plastic pollution, as the chemical processes used by the worms to break down plastic could be imitated and reproduced on a larger scale.
What you can do to cut down your plastic consumption
Use reusable bags
Avoid using plastic bags at the store and opt for reusable fabric or non-plastic shopping bags instead.
Don’t buy plastic bottles
Invest in a water filter to avoid purchasing and discarding plastic bottles.
Avoid take-out
Eat at the restaurant or cook at home to reduce plastic waste from take-out containers and utensils.
Avoid products with microbeads
Avoid personal care and cleaning products that contain microbeads, as these tiny plastic beads can end up polluting the ocean.
While the discovery of wax worms’ ability to break down plastic offers hope for the future, it’s important for individuals to take action to reduce their plastic consumption now.
Read More: Scary New Study: Plastic Bottles Left in the Sun Leach Cancer-Causing Chemicals Into Water
