Fungi could play an important role in addressing the world's growing plastic waste problem, according to a new study published by researchers with Kew Royal Botanic Gardens in London.
The scientists have found a fungus that may be able to break down plastics in a matter of weeks.
"This is incredibly exciting because [plastic waste] is such a big environmental challenge. If this can be the solution, that would be great," Ilia Leitch, a senior scientist on the team, said at a news conference on Tuesday, CNN reports.
"We are in the early days of research but I would hope to see the benefits of fungi that can eat plastic in five to 10 years," Leitch added.
Since plastics take years to break down — an estimated 20 to 600 years, depending on the type of plastic — this research could be revolutionary. The incredible fungus, Aspergillus tubingensis, which grows in Pakistan, could speed up the decomposition process of plastic dramatically, eating some plastics "in weeks rather than years," the report states.
