Words by Abi Scaife
Super hungry fungi can break down plastic.
Amazing! What’s the story?
Hardwood trees, as it says on the tin, are hard and therefore they take much longer to decay. However, there are a few different kind of fungi that are capable of breaking down this wood - and these fungi have been tested on plastic now, too!
What did they find?
The fungi successfully broke down low-density polyethylene, one of the most common plastics on earth! This could have an amazing impact on the amount of plastic that is currently in our environment, helping to break down and remove it permanently.
Charity check-in
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Every Can Counts. This is a not-for-profit recycling programme, encouraging people to recycle more often, to protect our planet. Support them here.
Trees For Cities. They are working to plant more trees within large metropolitan areas, for the betterment of people and planet. Support them here.
The Woodland Trust. This is the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, concerned with the creation, protection, and restoration of native woodland heritage. Support them here.
