ISSUE FOCUS Alternative Proteins Magazine April 2025 23 “To date, at least 11 insect species, mostly in the larval stage, have been identified as capable of biodegrading plastics. The most thoroughly documented in terms of efficiency are T. molitor, Tenebrio obscurus, Zophobas atratus, and Galleria mellonella —all noted for their ability to consume and transform EPS and other types of plastic. Similar behaviors have also been observed in other insects such as the black soldier fly, cockroaches, and termites, though more research is needed to confirm their actual effectiveness in plastic degradation.” INSECTS COULD TRANSFORM PLASTIC WASTE INTO PROTEIN Rodrigo Llauradó Casares Communicator & Content Strategist Imagine a larva that eats plastic, digests it, and transforms it into protein for fish — which then feeds people. Not only that: It also produces fertilizer for crops. It sounds promising. But it also raises important questions: Is it safe? Is it viable? In this article, we explore the latest scientific evidence behind this emerging method for reducing plastic waste and generating valuable bio inputs. THE GLOBAL PLASTIC WASTE PROBLEM Each year, humanity produces more plastic than it can manage. In 2021, global plastic production surpassed 390 million tonnes (Yang et al., 2024). Once used, plastic begins a second life —as waste— found in the oceans, in the soil, and even in human bodies: • It is estimated that around 6.4 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year and that over 60% of marine litter is composed of plastic (Yang et al., 2024). • As plastics break down into microplastics and nanoplastics, they alter the composition and function of soil microbiomes, release toxins, and disrupt both root development and nutrient flow in crops (Siddiqui et al., 2024). • Microplastics have been detected in human blood, lungs, and even in the placenta. Although research is still underway, scientists are increasingly concerned about their possible effects — including damage to our cells and organs, problems with reproduction and metabolism, and increased stress in the body (Yang et al., 2024). THE CHALLENGE OF PLASTIC DEGRADATION There are still no truly safe and effective processes for breaking plastic down. Chemical treatment, while more advanced, requires months of processing and the use of corrosive substances such as nitric acid, posing serious environmental risks (Bonilla-Amaya et al., 2024). But why are plastics so hard to degrade? Because they are designed to last. Their structure is so stable
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