Wax worm enzymes can oxidise the plastic within hours, kick-starting the degradation process. It is hoped that, by producing these enzymes on an industrial scale, new, environmentally friendly ...

But those contained in the saliva of the wax worm moth – Galleria mellonella – can act in only a few hours, the research showed (see graphic). Researcher Federica Bertocchini is an avid beekeeper.