Plastivore

[1][2][3][4] While plastic is normally thought of as non-biodegradable, a variety of bacteria, fungi and insects have been found to degrade it.

[5] For both bacterial and fungal plastivores, the first step is adhesion of spores to the plastic surface via hydrophobic interactions.

The alkaliphilic bacteria Bacillus pseudofirmus and Salipaludibacillus agaradhaerens can degrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE).

[6][12] Polycarbonate, the main material in CDs, is attacked by a range of fungi: Bjerkandera adusta[16] (initially misidentified as Geotrichum sp.

[18] Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor), a species commonly used as animal feed, can consume polyethylene and polystyrene.

[5][9][10] Its congener T. obscurus can also consume polystyrene,[19] as can superworm (Zophobas morio) and red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) from different genera in the same family.

[21] This species is the fastest known organism to chemically modify polyethylene, with oxidation occurring within one hour from exposure.