Like their name implies, these creatures will gladly eat some of the most common plastics. One hint of hope has come from a group of organisms that scientists call plastivores. And even if humans could magically stop creating new plastics today, Earth would still be left with literal mountains of non-biodegradable waste. A few large corporations have even experimented with reusable containers for things like shampoo bottles and toothpaste tubes.īut at the same time, recycling in much of the world has come to a standstill. China recently said it would enact similar measures across all of its major cities by the end of the year. Just last week, a statewide law went into effect in New York blocking businesses from even distributing plastic bags to customers.

Policymakers have started trying to reduce single-use plastics like grocery bags and straws.

(Credit: Harald Grove/Brandon University)įrom Staten Island to Shanghai, the world is slowly waking up to the perils of plastic. Greater wax moth caterpillars munch on a plastic bag.

Download wax worms moth