Chocolate made with fewer calories, less waste
“Whole fruit chocolate” uses cocoa pulp and inner shell in lieu of sugar. Enlarge (credit: YelenaYemchuk) Commercialization has not dealt kindly with the Mayan Food of the Gods. Modern chocolate products are filled w.....»»
Israel"s war budget leaves top scientists in limbo
Israeli scientist Ellen Graber has spent years researching ways to save chocolate crops from climate change. But with the government slashing spending to fund the war in Gaza, her project is one of hundreds now hanging in the balance......»»
Curbside collection improves organic waste composting, reduces methane emissions
Most organic household waste ends up in landfills, where it generates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Composting food and garden waste instead of sending it to landfills can significantly reduce methane emissions and help mitigate global warming......»»
Buying affordable ethical chocolate is almost impossible—but some firms are offering the next best thing
With supermarket aisles piled high with assortments of chocolate treats, the choice can seem overwhelming. The array of ethical options—some with certifications, others with marketing claims about sustainability—can just add to the confusion......»»
Wrappers delight: The Easter egg equation you never knew you needed
This Easter season, as you tear open those chocolate eggs, have you ever wondered why they're snugly wrapped in foil? Turns out the answer lies within the easter egg equation......»»
Cocoa beans are in short supply: What this means for farmers, businesses and chocolate lovers
A shortage of cocoa beans has led to a near shutdown of processing plants in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, the two countries responsible for 60% of global production. With chocolate makers around the world reliant on west Africa for cocoa, there is signi.....»»
New cost-effective method can detect low concentrations of pharmaceutical waste and contaminants in water
Pharmaceutical waste and contaminants present a growing global concern, particularly in the context of drinking water and food safety. Addressing this critical issue, a new study by researchers at Bar-Ilan University's Department of Chemistry and Ins.....»»
Yeast uses plastic waste oils to make high-value chemicals
Polyolefins are a type of plastic that is resistant to breaking down. This makes this plastic—a kind found in everything from grocery bags to car bumpers—hard to recycle. In a new study, scientists have discovered a potential solution, the yeast.....»»
The World’s E-Waste Has Reached a Crisis Point
A new UN report finds that humanity is generating 137 billion pounds of TVs, smartphones, and other e-waste a year—and recycling less than a quarter of it......»»
Rising scourge of e-waste a "catastrophe" for environment: UN
The world threw away a record amount of smartphones, televisions and other electrical devices in 2022, the UN said Wednesday, warning this avalanche of dumped gadgets was polluting the planet......»»
The World"s E-Waste Has Reached a Crisis Point
A new UN report finds that humanity is generating 137 billion pounds of TVs, smartphones, and other e-waste a year—and recycling less than a quarter of it......»»
Cellulose fibers are emerging as a sustainable option for wrapping everything from foods to electronics
Attention supermarket shoppers in Belgium, France and Luxembourg: a test to cut waste from plastic packaging of foods is coming to nearby stores......»»
Is food waste the key to sustainable, plastic-free diapers and sanitary pads?
Once thrown away, disposable items such as diapers and sanitary pads can take hundreds of years to decompose, because their absorbent parts and waterproof layers contain plastics and other synthetic polymers. But now, researchers are replacing these.....»»
Transforming wood waste for sustainable manufacturing
Lignin, a complex organic polymer, is one of the main components of wood, providing structural support and rigidity to make trees strong enough to withstand the elements. When transforming wood into paper, lignin is a key ingredient that must be remo.....»»
How the Tudors dealt with food waste
More than 10 million tons of food is wasted in the UK each year. Leftovers perish in their plastic Tupperware tombs, supermarket bins heave with damaged but perfectly edible produce, and fields are littered with spoiled harvests. Preventing good food.....»»
The Global Danger of Boring Buildings
Unloved buildings turn to ruin, leading to a deluge of construction waste worldwide. Designer Thomas Heatherwick tells WIRED why cities need to prioritize human health and joy in architecture......»»
Shrimp waste revolution: Unlocking potent antioxidants for health and sustainability
Shrimp are renowned for their high nutritional value, offering a rich source of proteins, amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins, as well as chitin and carotenoids. The increasing consumption of shrimp has led to a significant rise.....»»
A new approach to producing high-performance plastics from agricultural waste
In our rapidly industrialized world, the quest for sustainable materials has never been more urgent. Plastics, ubiquitous in daily life, pose significant environmental challenges, primarily due to their fossil fuel origins and problematic disposal......»»
Study declares waste-to-energy plants a low health risk
As China rapidly urbanizes, turning waste into energy has become a key way to handle growing trash volumes and reduce landfill use, while also creating power. Yet, concerns about the pollution from these plants and its health effects have led to deba.....»»
Opinion: Lagos bans single-use plastics—why I think Nigeria should have taxed them instead
Waste pollution is a huge problem in Nigeria, with serious impacts on the environment. In response, the Lagos state government has banned styrofoam (a type of plastic widely used as food containers) and other single-use products......»»
Poo bags and trackers: Nepal orders new Everest rules
Nepal has ordered Everest mountaineers to carry mandatory trackers after one of the deadliest seasons last year—and remove their excrement using compostable bags similar to those used for dog waste......»»