Because we haven’t exactly been doing our bit, nature is now giving us yet another reason to plant more trees. Particularly, birch trees. Researchers have found that these white-barked wonders can solve problems with plastics waste created by the species that cuts them down. Well, at least in part: the silver birch has long been known for its ability to extract pollutants from contaminated soil.

A new study now shows that the tree – with the beautiful scientific name, Betula pendula Roth – also vacuums microplastics out of the earth and stores them. And thus, the soil is cleaned naturally. These trees are giving ‘vacuum cleaning’ a whole new meaning!