Insects are often seen as strange creatures by humans, inspiring movie monsters and showcasing extreme biophysics. Scientists have been exploring the idea of using insects to eat plastic, as a potential solution to the planet’s plastic pollution crisis.
A recent experiment shed light on the feasibility of this strategy. Ecologist Michelle Tseng and her team found that it would take 100 mealworms approximately 138 days, or 4.5 months, to consume just one disposable face mask from the COVID era. This study, published in Biology Letters on December 4, provides a realistic perspective on the effectiveness of using insects to combat plastic waste.
Microplastics, which are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters, pose a significant threat to the environment and human health. Previous research has shown that certain insect species, such as superworms and yellow mealworms, can consume and degrade various types of plastic. However, Tseng wanted to conduct more realistic experiments using actual face masks made of polypropylene and polylactic acid.
The researchers melted the mask plastic and mixed it with wheat bran to create a “face-mask granola” for the insects to consume. The mealworms showed immediate interest in this new food source and began eating it right away. Surprisingly, the ingestion of plastic did not significantly affect the insects’ lifespan. However, the implications of feeding these plastic-consuming insects to other animals, such as chickens, remain uncertain.
While using insects to tackle microplastic pollution may seem like a promising solution, the sheer scale of the problem poses a challenge. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Asia alone used 2 billion medical face masks per day, making it impossible for insects to keep up with the demand.
Instead of relying solely on insects to solve the plastic crisis, researchers suggest using them as inspiration to study their body chemistry and microbial partners. This knowledge could lead to innovative solutions for breaking down waste. Ultimately, the key takeaway is to reduce plastic usage and find sustainable alternatives to protect the planet and its inhabitants.