New Study Reveals That Wax Worm Saliva Degrades Plastic
Can caterpillar spit save the planet? New study reveals wax worm saliva contains enzymes that mitigate plastic pollution.

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Our plastic problem can seem insurmountable at times. Globally, we produce more than 400 million tons of plastic per year. And between the various types, the material's impressive lifespan, and the ubiquitous micro-version, the truth is that even the most aggressive of zero-waste lifestyles can't eliminate the copious amount of plastic waste that exists on the planet. But, as it turns out, caterpillar spit can.
According to a new study from Nature Communications, the saliva of wax worm larvae is capable of breaking down one of the most common plastics: polyethylene (PE). High-density and low-density PE account for more than 30% of all plastic production, making this discovery as essential as it is exciting.
How Does Wax Worm Saliva Break Down Plastic?

These enzymes represent the first able to elicit this level of deterioration in such a short time span and minus any additional heat. One small creature's saliva, one giant step for mankind.

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