Transforming the Plastic Lifecycle Into a Circle
360 million metric tonnes of new plastic was produced in 2018. Here’s where it all went, and why the world must transform plastic use from…
Plastic
How Is It Raining Plastic?! [Video]
Every year, more than 1,000 tons of plastic rain down onto national parks and wilderness areas in the western U.S. In this week’s episode, we…
Sustainable, Biodegradable, Vegan Glitter That’s Just As Sparkly – From Your Fruit Bowl
Glitter is the bane of every parent and primary school teacher. But beyond its general annoyance factor, it’s also made of toxic and unsustainable materials,…
Plants From Plastics: Transforming Bio-Based Polymers Into Fertilizer
Plastics have taken the world by storm over the last century, finding applications in virtually every aspect of our lives. However, the rise of these…
The Mysterious Ocean Plastic Sink: Gone With the Rivers
Plastics are a growing problem for natural ecosystems around the globe, and in particular for our marine and freshwater environments. Rivers are the leading source…
A New Approach for Recycling Plastics
Each human being uses, on average, 30 kg of plastic per year. Given that global life expectancy currently stands at approximately 70 years, each person…
Alternatives to Plastic Straws: Which Materials Are Best?
Drinking straws are single use plastic products which will be subjected to a Europe-wide sales ban from 2021 onwards. This is stated in EU Directive…
Water Coolers Can Release Potentially Harmful Compounds Into Drinking Water
Watercoolers have become a staple in homes, offices and schools, but their tanks and parts are made of materials that could release unwanted or potentially…
New Dye Molecule Constructed for Visualizing Stress in Plastics
Research team led by Chemnitz University of Technology develops dyes that continuously translate stress plastics by changing color. A research team led by Prof. Dr….
Keeping an Eye on Ocean Plastic Pollution…From Space! [Video]
Meet bag, bottle, and straw, three bits of plastic left on the beach. They are only small, but they are heading into the ocean, where…
Combating Maritime Litter: Innovative Solutions for Fighting Pollution in the Oceans
Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon categorizes innovative solutions for fighting pollution in the oceans. Marine litter is among the most urgent global pollution issues. Marine scientist Nikoleta Bellou…
Solving the Plastic Shortage With an Efficient New Chemical Catalyst
In a year that has already battered manufacturing supply chains, yet another shortage is complicating manufacturers’ and consumers’ lives: plastics, and the food packaging, automotive…
Plastic Planet: Tracking Pervasive Microplastics Through the Atmosphere and Across the Globe
Really big systems, like ocean currents and weather, work on really big scales. And so too does your plastic waste, according to new research from…
AI-Powered Recycling Robot Could Help Solve Plastic Waste Crisis
Researchers create robot that sorts soft plastic Technology could be a boon for recycling industry Engineering researchers are developing a unique method to increase the…
Global Plastic Pollution May Be Nearing an Irreversible Tipping Point
Current rates of plastic emissions globally may trigger effects that we will not be able to reverse, argues a new study by researchers from Sweden,…
Turning Plastic Into Foam to Combat Pollution: New Method to Reuse Previously Nonrecyclable Plastic
Researchers develop a method to reuse previously nonrecyclable plastic. Biodegradable plastics are supposed to be good for the environment. But because they are specifically made…
NASA Satellite Lets Scientists Track Ocean Microplastics From Space
Scientists from the University of Michigan have developed an innovative way to use NASA satellite data to track the movement of tiny pieces of plastic…
Microbes in Cow Stomachs Can Break Down Plastic – Sustainable Way to Reduce Plastic Litter
Bacteria found in the rumen, one of the compartments that make up the cow stomach, can break down plastics, representing an eco-friendly way to reduce…
