Could plastic eating ‘superworms’ help solve our waste problem?

Cosmos Magazine

Cosmos

Cosmos is a quarterly science magazine. We aim to inspire curiosity in ‘The Science of Everything’ and make the world of science accessible to everyone.

By Cosmos

Our planet is drowning in plastic. It’s in our oceans, overflowing in landfill and even making its way into our bodies in the form of microplastics.  

To address the plastic crisis, some scientists are getting creative in the lab. One research group has identified a species that will happily eat plastic and break it down – they’re calling them superworms. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Ellen Phiddian about the species that will happily munch on a plastic snack and exactly how this will help address our global plastic problem. 

The Science Briefing is a LiSTNR production

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