Toxic Time Bomb: The Dangers of Discarded Cigarette Butts
The world’s most common form of litter is cigarette filters. Researchers from the University of Gothenburg have discovered that these filters are releasing thousands of…
Plastic News
Turning the Tables: How Bioplastics Could Transform the Climate Crisis
A circular bioeconomy can dramatically rein in the fast-growing plastic sector’s climate, pollution, and resource consumption impacts. Under current policies, global plastic production will likely…
New Study Reveals How Nanoplastics Can Impact Metabolism
The impact of PET particles on zebrafish was examined by researchers. PET, the plastic commonly used to manufacture bottles, is a widespread presence in our…
A Plastic Oasis: Scientists Uncover Surprising Refuge for Coastal Marine Species
A team of researchers from the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) and the University of Hawai‘i (UH) at Mānoa, has recently published a study in…
Plastic Containers Can Contain Toxic “Forever Chemicals” – And They Are Getting Into Food
Scientists at the University of Notre Dame are expanding their list of consumer products that contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a harmful group of…
Tiny Plastic Particles in Mother’s Food May Impair Fetal Development
According to a study conducted at Rutgers, nanoscale plastic particles, similar to those commonly found in food and water, can transfer from pregnant rats to…
“Fooling” Biology: Can Synthetic Polymers Replace the Body’s Natural Proteins?
Artificial intelligence has been utilized to synthesize random heteropolymers that imitate proteins found in blood serum and the cytosol of cells. The majority of life…
“Very High” Accuracy – Machine Learning Helps Separate Compostable From Conventional Plastic Waste
Researchers have created classification models that enable accurate and automated sorting of various types of plastics. The use of compostable plastics is increasing, and while…
Gold Nanoparticle Catalyst Helps Turn Plastic Waste Into Useful Compounds
Supported gold nanoparticle catalyst can upcycle polyester and biomass. Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have found that gold nanoparticles supported on a zirconium oxide surface…
Closing the Carbon Cycle: Plastic Upcycling Converts Plastic Bags To Fuel
A new process produces fuel quickly at mild temperature, with few byproducts. There are a lot of potentially useful raw materials bound up in used…
A New, Stronger and Recyclable Plastic
A biodegradable polyester has been developed with properties comparable to those of high-density polyethylene. Polyethylene is known for its many advantageous properties, but its lack…
Artificial Photosynthesis Makes Biodegradable Plastic Using Sunlight
Synthesis of fumaric acid by a new method of artificial photosynthesis, using sunlight. In recent years, environmental problems caused by global warming have become more…
Easily Recyclable and Compostable – A New Plastic With Excellent Mechanical Stability
How can plastics be designed so that they maintain their useful properties while also being more easily recyclable? Chemist Stefan Mecking and his research group…
Experiment Proves Bacteria Really Eat Plastic – Broken Down Into Harmless Substances
Laboratory experiment shows that bacteria really eat and digest plastic. The bacterium Rhodococcus ruber eats and actually digests plastic. This has been shown in laboratory…
Scientists Recycle Previously Unrecyclable Plastic
PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is a widely used plastic in the United States and globally, ranking as the third highest by volume worldwide. It can…
Scientists Transform Plastic Waste Into a Valuable Soil Additive
University of California, Riverside, method creates useful char from plastic and corn waste. University of California, Riverside, scientists have moved a step closer to finding…
Startling Discovery: 60% of Home “Compostable” Plastic Doesn’t Fully Decompose, Contaminating Our Soil
In a UK-wide study, researchers found that 60% of home-compostable plastics do not fully disintegrate in home compost bins, and inevitably end up in our…
New Technology Is Key Step Toward Big Gains in Plastics Recycling
Scientists have taken a key step toward greatly expanding the range of plastics that can be recycled. The study, which was led by the U.S….