Fungus foils polymer that defeats recycling

A common tree-rotting fungus is the first to biodegrade an otherwise impervious resin found in plywood and fiberboard.

WHITE KNIGHT. The white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium—the white fuzz on these wood chips—can break down phenolic resin, which is found in products such as plywood and fiberboard. Gusse

White-rot fungi strains leave behind wood’s white cellulose as they break down lignin, the natural polymer that binds cellulose fibers together.