Scientists at the University of Sydney have discovered two types of fungi that have surprisingly useful properties.

They eat plastic.

But is it enough to reduce humanity’s reliance on plastics, and the massive pollution problem emerging across the planet as a result of this waste product?

Cosmos caught up with Professor Ali Abbas and PhD student Amira Farzana Samat who are investigating the plastic-eating effects of fungi, and its potential for industrial use.

Sydney scientists find fungi that can eat plastic