Abstract
<jats:p>Laboratory experiments tested the ability of certain plants (beans and peas) to stimulate the degradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) in soil. It was demonstrated that the presence of LDPE strips in the soil did not have toxic effects on either plant species used. In the case of bean cultivation, it even stimulated plant growth. It was established that beans and peas can stimulate LDPE degradation depending on soil characteristics and the presence of growth-stimulating factors. Pea plants were more effective in stimulating LDPE degradation in unpolluted forest soil. Beans were more effective in polluted soil and resulted in the highest LDPE degradation (2.3% in 39 days) when seeds were bacterized. The ability to ensure significant LDPE degradation under actual toxic conditions of polluted soil highlighted a significant advantage of bean plants - important in developing phytoremediation methods for lands contaminated with non-recyclable plastic and other pollutants.</jats:p>