WORMS VS. WASTE: HOW NATURE COULD HELP US BEAT PLASTIC POLLUTION

WORMS VS. WASTE: HOW NATURE COULD HELP US BEAT PLASTIC POLLUTION In the age-old war between humans and the mountains of plastic we’ve created, who would’ve thought that one of our strongest allies might be a humble worm? Yes, you read that right—waxworms, the small, squishy larvae of moths often used as fishing bait, are now at the center of a scientific breakthrough that could radically change how we manage plastic pollution. Two remarkable scientists—Dr. Federica Bertocchini from Spain and Dr. Christophe LeMoine from Canada—have uncovered a natural and sustainable method of breaking down polyethylene, the stubborn plastic found in shopping bags, food packaging, and countless other products that clutter our landfills and waterways. Nature’s Solution in a Worm’s Saliva Dr. Bertocchini, working at the Spanish National Research Council, discovered that two enzymes in waxworm saliva—Demetra and Ceres—can rapidly break down polyethylene. No need for high heat, complex machinery, or industrial pre-treatment. Just a natural compound doing what expensive recycling plants struggle to do. Meanwhile, Dr. LeMoine’s research at Brandon University in Canada revealed that gut bacteria in these worms also play a key role in degrading plastic—a microbial tag team, if you will. It’s a rare moment when science doesn’t invent the wheel but simply uncovers how nature has been spinning it all along. The implications are enormous. These biological processes don’t just break plastics into smaller pieces (as some mechanical processes do); they degrade them into simpler, potentially harmless compounds. This means fewer microplastics floating in our oceans and accumulating in our food chains. So Where Does the Philippines Come In? We are a plastic-dependent nation, and unfortunately, we’re also one of the biggest contributors to marine plastic pollution. Our archipelagic geography, paired with poor waste management infrastructure, makes it hard to avoid the plastic problem—even when we want to. But what if we stopped treating plastic waste as just garbage, and started treating it as feedstock for a natural solution? Here’s how we can act: 1. Start the Dialogue with Scientists The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) can lead the charge by reaching out to Dr. Bertocchini and Dr. LeMoine. Our embassies in Spain and Canada can facilitate collaboration. Let’s learn from the experts who made the discovery and bring that knowledge home. 2. Form a National Task Force This is more than a science project—it’s a potential industry. An interagency task force, led by the DOST and supported by the DENR, DTI, DA, and NEDA, could assess how we can adapt this technology to our waste streams. Think of it as planting seeds for an ecosystem of eco-startups, jobs, and cleaner cities. 3. Collaborate with Japan Japan is already researching waxworms in relation to plastic degradation. Given our strong ties with Japanese institutions, there’s room for technical exchanges, joint research, and pilot projects that can benefit both nations. 4. Localize the Tech With over 35,000 tons of waste generated daily in the Philippines, this enzyme-based solution could become part of an integrated plastic waste management strategy. It’s clean, scalable, and potentially revolutionary. Plus, it could generate green jobs—from worm farming to enzyme extraction and product development. Imagine community-based projects where plastic waste is treated with biodegradable enzymes instead of dumped into rivers or buried in landfills. It’s a future worth working toward. Turning the Tide We often look to high-tech fixes for low-tech problems. But sometimes, the answers are crawling under our noses—literally. Waxworms are not glamorous, but the enzymes in their bodies could give us a powerful, natural tool to reclaim our environment. This is not science fiction. It’s science fact. And with the right vision, leadership, and investment, the Philippines could lead Southeast Asia in enzyme-based plastic degradation technologies. That would be a legacy worth writing into our environmental history. So, let’s turn this story from a scientific curiosity into a national initiative. Let’s put worms to work—not just in compost pits, but on the front lines of environmental innovation. Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com 07-19-2025