Researchers have discovered a species of worm with an appetite for polystyrene that could be the key to plastic recycling on a mass scale.

Dr Chris Rinke from the University of Queensland said researchers there discovered the common Zophobas morio ‘superworm’ can eat through polystyrene, thanks to a bacterial enzyme in their gut.

He told Gareth Parker on 6PR Breakfast his team from UQ’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences fed superworms different diets over a three-week period, with some given polystyrene foam, some bran and others put on a fasting diet.

“The superworms shred the polystyrene and then the microbes actually break it down further and that kind of nourishes the worm at the end… but it’s not a very healthy diet I have to say,” Dr Rinke said.

Press PLAY to hear more about the discovery and future testing