Mealworm-Based Codigestion of Persistent Plastics and Food Wastes
Mealworm-Based Codigestion of Persistent Plastics and Food Wastes
The persistence of plastic pollution is a huge challenge globally. Hope for solutions is now possible due to research showing that two of the most persistent plastics - polystyrene and polyethylene – undergo rapid microbial degradation in the guts of mealworms. This EVP team has discovered that the process can be further accelerated when mealworms are also food wastes. This project seeks to leverage these discoveries by developing new methods for plastic waste management and resource recovery using insects to degrade plastics. Expected outcomes are new resource recovery options for remediation of plastic wastes and generation of valuable biomass and fertilizer products.
News & Press Releases
Plastic-Eating Worms May Offer Solution to Mounting Waste »
An ongoing study by Stanford engineers, in collaboration with researchers in China, shows that common mealworms can safely biodegrade Styrofoam.
By Rob Jordan,
Media Coverage
This Bug Can Eat Plastic. But Can It Clean Up Our Mess? »
Discusses ongoing research at Stanford by Weimin Wu and others on plastic-eating mealworms.
By Carrie Arnold,
These pesky caterpillars seem to digest plastic bags »
References research on plastic-eating mealworms supported by Woods Environmental Venture Projects program.
By Ben Guarino,