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Peer-reviewedCC BYJournal of Environmental and Science Education

Biodegradation of Polystyrene Waste using Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) Larvae as a Sustainable Waste Management Approach

  • Amnan Haris1
  • Yuthika Husnaini Hunafa1
  • Ade Anggun Wana Putri1
  • Olifadia Eka Andiny Aulia1
  • Elvina Afery1
  • Kholimatu Rosita1
  • La Ode rman Jaya2
  1. 1Universitas Negeri Semarang
  2. 2University of Warsaw
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Abstract

Styrofoam is widely used as packaging for food, drinks and electronic goods. Usually stirofoam is only used once and thrown away. Styrofoam causes environmental problems, so efforts are needed to degrade it. Using larvae Tenebrio molitor is expected to be an innovative and environmentally friendly solution. The larval stage is used because larvae require large amounts of food for their growth. The larvae's food consists of organic waste such as fruit, vegetables, leaves, rice and others. In fact, stirofoam is considered organic waste because it is made from petroleum which contains hydrocarbons. T. molitor were chosen because they are not consumed by humans. This research aims to analyze the ability of T. molitor to be biodegradation agents for stirofoam. The research stages include cultivating T. molitor for 30 days and analysis which includes viability analysis and larval content using FTIR. The research method used is an experimental method with quantitative data collection. The results of the study showed that even though there was chewing activity, there was no stirofoam content in the bodies of T. molitor.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{haris2026biodegradation,
  title = {{Biodegradation of Polystyrene Waste using Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) Larvae as a Sustainable Waste Management Approach}},
  author = {Amnan Haris and Yuthika Husnaini Hunafa and Ade Anggun Wana Putri and Olifadia Eka Andiny Aulia and Elvina Afery and Kholimatu Rosita and La Ode rman Jaya},
  journal = {Journal of Environmental and Science Education},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.15294/jese.v5i2.25188},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.15294/jese.v5i2.25188},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Biodegradation of Polystyrene Waste using Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) Larvae as a Sustainable Waste Management Approach
AU  - Amnan Haris
AU  - Yuthika Husnaini Hunafa
AU  - Ade Anggun Wana Putri
AU  - Olifadia Eka Andiny Aulia
AU  - Elvina Afery
AU  - Kholimatu Rosita
AU  - La Ode rman Jaya
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/26
JO  - Journal of Environmental and Science Education
DO  - 10.15294/jese.v5i2.25188
UR  - https://doi.org/10.15294/jese.v5i2.25188
AB  - Styrofoam is widely used as packaging for food, drinks and electronic goods. Usually stirofoam is only used once and thrown away. Styrofoam causes environmental problems, so efforts are needed to degrade it. Using larvae Tenebrio molitor is expected to be an innovative and environmentally friendly solution. The larval stage is used because larvae require large amounts of food for their growth. The larvae's food consists of organic waste such as fruit, vegetables, leaves, rice and others. In fact, stirofoam is considered organic waste because it is made from petroleum which contains hydrocarbons. T. molitor were chosen because they are not consumed by humans. This research aims to analyze the ability of T. molitor to be biodegradation agents for stirofoam. The research stages include cultivating T. molitor for 30 days and analysis which includes viability analysis and larval content using FTIR. The research method used is an experimental method with quantitative data collection. The results of the study showed that even though there was chewing activity, there was no stirofoam content in the bodies of T. molitor.
SN  - 2797-0175
SN  - 2775-2518
ER  -