Expanded polystyrene is not chemically degraded by mealworms

Summary

Previous studies suggested that mealworms could biodegrade expanded polystyrene (EPS), generating interest in insects as a solution to plastic waste. This study challenges those findings, demonstrating that mealworms do not chemically degrade EPS but instead physically fragment it into smaller particles. The results raise concerns that mealworm-based plastic disposal methods may actually produce microplastics rather than breaking down the polymer.