Fungi's Plastic-Munching Abilities Offer Hope for Pollution Crisis

Wood-decaying fungi, known for breaking down carbon in trees, have been found to also break down plastic, according to a study. Researchers isolated 50 fungal samples from decaying hardwoods and found that the fungi preferred wood but were still able to break down polyethylene, a type of plastic. Over 430 species of fungi and bacteria have been identified as capable of breaking down plastic, offering potential solutions to the global plastic waste crisis. However, further research is needed to understand how these fungi fare in different conditions and whether they pose a threat to native trees.