This New Zealand Fungus Eats Plastic—and Finishes the Job in Just Weeks
In a breakthrough that could revolutionize how we tackle plastic waste, scientists in New Zealand have discovered a native fungus that can break down plastic in just 140 days—without needing heat, pressure, or industrial processing.
The fungus, Daldinia concentrica—nicknamed “carbon antlers” for its striking layered growths—was already known for feeding on decaying wood. But researchers at the University of Canterbury have now found that it can also digest common plastics like polypropylene and polyethylene, which make up a huge portion of global waste.
What’s especially remarkable is that the fungus does this in regular soil conditions, making it a potential game-changer for landfills and polluted environments. Unlike traditional recycling, which often requires high temperatures and clean, sorted plastic, this fungus works in the dirt—breaking down even mixed and dirty plastics.
During testing, the fungus degraded plastic samples by over 90% within five months. In the final stages, it left behind a material that was biodegradable and nontoxic. Scientists believe the fungus releases enzymes that break long plastic polymer chains into simpler molecules, which it then absorbs as food.
The team is now exploring ways to scale this up—possibly creating bioreactor systems or even plastic-degrading soil pods that could be used in waste management, environmental clean-up, and remote locations where recycling infrastructure doesn’t exist.
It’s still early days, but the implications are huge: a living organism that treats plastic like mulch, capable of restoring balance to some of the most polluted corners of our planet.
