http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/30/us/styrofoam-eating-mealworms-plastic-waste/index.html
So this is a neat article that might allow us to turn plastic bags into wax worms and Styrofoam into mealworms.
For the tl;dr in us, mealworms have special gut bacteria that break down the plastics in Styrofoam into biodegradable worm waste product. The worms show no adverse effects from eating Styrofoam compared to those fed typical bran. It also mentions a different study that says waxworms can eat the plastics that go into grocery store bags.
Has anyone tried anything like this? This could be incredible... Not only for our potential for raising high protein feeds for our birds, but also for cleaning up the planet and keeping trash out of landfills.
I might want to try this experiment myself. I would like to see how it works out in a non-lab setting, in individual households. How about you?
So this is a neat article that might allow us to turn plastic bags into wax worms and Styrofoam into mealworms.
For the tl;dr in us, mealworms have special gut bacteria that break down the plastics in Styrofoam into biodegradable worm waste product. The worms show no adverse effects from eating Styrofoam compared to those fed typical bran. It also mentions a different study that says waxworms can eat the plastics that go into grocery store bags.
Has anyone tried anything like this? This could be incredible... Not only for our potential for raising high protein feeds for our birds, but also for cleaning up the planet and keeping trash out of landfills.
I might want to try this experiment myself. I would like to see how it works out in a non-lab setting, in individual households. How about you?
And I have a plastic drawer bin I might be able to use as well!
