Conversion of non-biodegradable plastic waste into decomposable waste using mealworm named “tenebrio molitor”

Abstract

Plastic has made tremendous contribution in day to day lives of humans. Today like medical, agricultural, packaging, household, piping and other items of daily use. Plastic used in household system like food cover packets, sachets, Styrofoam cups, glasses, etc., this research involves the Conversion of non-biodegradable plastic waste into decomposable excreta by mealworms. A worm in which the bacteria is present in its gut. It has an ability to digest the complex plastic waste into smaller organic excreta. One of the methods to reduce plastic waste at household system is by using worms whose scientific name is “Tenebrio Molitor” Mealworm has proved to be an efficient method of reducing plastic to some extent and mealworm are grow rapidly within a span of 3 months and it can be grown in most of normal climate and natural condition. The methodology involves collecting and rearing of mealworms at standard temperature in different trays at University of Agricultural Sciences, Ghandi Krishi Vignan Kendra Bellary Road, Bangalore. Obtained results show the average weight 40.1775mg of Styrofoam was consumed by 25 number of worms mealworms in 3 days. Therefore it can be concluded that 100 numbers of mealworms consumes 53.57mg of Styrofoam in one day.