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Plastic-eating insect discovered in Kenya (phys.org)

submitted 2 weeks ago by PhilipTheBucket@ponder.cat to c/science@lemmy.world

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[-] Pilferjinx@lemmy.world 21 points 2 weeks ago

It wasn't in the article, but is the styrofoam converted into something else as excrement? Or do they just crap out micro plastic?

[-] PhilipTheBucket@ponder.cat 24 points 2 weeks ago

I clicked through to the Nature article, and it sounds like about half the plastic gets used for making energy and exhaled as carbon dioxide, with the other half getting pooped out as microplastics. I'd call that progress. It's not the end goal, but it's a good tool with some potential, is I think what they are saying.