Marine scientists discovered an ocean-borne fungus chomping through plastic trash in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
  • KidnappedByKitties@lemm.ee
    57·
    1 month ago

    Sounds like great news, no?

    Just as we had a time before fungus digesting plant matter, we’ve now had a time before fungus digesting plastics.

    “Soon” we’ll get bacteria and insects doing the same, and all our plastic buildings will need to be protected just as the wood ones.

    • 9488fcea02a9@sh.itjust.works
      9·
      1 month ago

      Not really good news for the plastic that isnt waste. Plastic pipes or structures in buildings that were meant to last decades we dont want eaten away by fungus

      • Balder@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        1 month ago

        Still it’s a positive net balance for the planet if it happens this way. But I think the “plastic safety” (in a food sense) would also end?

        • anton@lemmy.blahaj.zone
          1·
          30 days ago

          Hate to break it to you, but if you store your food for years above freezing and without a protective atmosphere in a plastic container it’s spoiled anyway.

    • mister_monster@monero.townEnglish
      32·
      1 month ago

      Yup. Plastic’s main selling point, it’s durability, is no longer going to be a factor when choosing it as a material.