Polyethylene waste could be a thing of the past
An international team of experts undertaking fundamental research has developed a way of using polyethylene waste (PE) as a feedstock and converted it into valuable chemicals, via light-driven photocatalysis......»»
3D imaging allows researchers to observe degradation of micro- and nanoplastics with unprecedented detail
In a global first, University of Waterloo researchers have used 3D imaging technology to understand the fine details of microplastics, paving the way for more effective methods of plastic waste recycling......»»
Composite plastic degrades easily with bacteria, offers environmental benefits
Billions of tons of plastic waste clutter our world. Most of it has accumulated on the ground and in the oceans or disintegrated into tiny particles known as microplastics that pollute the air and the water, penetrating vegetation and the bloodstream.....»»
AirTags key to discovery of Houston"s plastic recycling deception
One Houston resident was suspicious of the city's "all plastic accepted" recycling program, and used AirTags to discover where the plastic waste actually ended up.Apple employs an advanced robot named Daisy to disassemble old iPhones.Brandy Deason, w.....»»
FAA lets SpaceX get back to launches, but Polaris Dawn awaits good weather
SpaceX got the OK to fly again from the Federal Aviation Administration and didn't waste any time knocking out launches from both Florida and California early Saturday, but the crewed Polaris Dawn launch remains on hold because of weather......»»
Catalytic process vaporizes plastic bags and bottles, yielding gases to make new, recycled plastics
A new chemical process can essentially vaporize plastics that dominate the waste stream today and turn them into hydrocarbon building blocks for new plastics......»»
Nanoplastics put stress on trees and impair photosynthesis
It is well known that more and more plastic waste is ending up in soil and bodies of water. Researchers are particularly concerned about tiny micro- and nano-sized particles. It remains unclear how and to what extent they are able to enter living org.....»»
Can fungi turn food waste into the next culinary sensation?
Chef-turned-chemist Vayu Hill-Maini has a passion: to turn food waste into culinary treats using fungi......»»
Most food waste happens at home—new research reveals the best ways to reduce it
The EU and UK pledged to reduce food waste, in line with the UN's goal to halve global food waste by 2030. With most (approximately 53%) of total food waste in European countries occurring in homes, this stage of the food chain presents the most sign.....»»
Researchers dig into food waste in Canada using data-driven model
Skyrocketing food costs are uniting Canadians, as families scrutinize their budgets and try to keep grocery bills in check. A new report from the Ivey Centre for Building Sustainable Value and Western's Human Environments Analysis Laboratory (HEAL) r.....»»
Don’t waste your money on an OLED gaming monitor
OLED provides the best gaming experience money can buy, but buying in too early can effectively be a waste of money......»»
Scientists help turn whisky waste into valuable commodity
A new method to extract valuable bio-based chemicals from whisky distillery waste streams could transform manufacturing and be worth up to £90 million in global chemical manufacturing markets......»»
Achieving effective removal of caffeine and painkillers, scientists turn food waste into water cleaners
Researchers at the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague have achieved a significant breakthrough in water purification by developing low-cost activated carbons derived from biomass waste, specifically artichoke leaves and pomegranate peel.....»»
U.S. has its first national strategy to reduce plastic pollution—three strong points and a key issue to watch
Plastic waste is piling up at a daunting pace around the world. The World Bank estimates that every person on the planet generates an average of 1.6 pounds (0.74 kilograms) of plastic waste daily......»»
Green warriors: Plants on the frontline against microplastics
With escalating concerns about the enduring impact of plastic waste, phytoremediation emerges as a promising solution. This method utilizes plants to capture and degrade pollutants, providing an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative.....»»
Up-cycling petroleum waste into a high-performance yet sustainable triboelectric nanogenerator
A striking landmark in Vancouver, Canada, "The Big Yellow Sulfur Pile" is a testament to the massive amounts of elemental sulfur produced from the hydrodesulfurization process of petroleum refining......»»
Chemical cocktail from plastics: Pilot study describes degradation and leaching process of plastic consumer products
Plastic waste in rivers and oceans is constantly releasing chemicals into the water. Until now, it was unknown how large these quantities are and which substances are released particularly strongly. In the large-scale P-LEACH project, experts from fo.....»»
Waste into gold: Oyster shells repurposed as magic "Seawool"
Growing up on Taiwan's west coast where mollusk farming is popular, Eddie Wang saw discarded oyster shells transformed from waste to function—a memory that inspired him to create a unique and environmentally friendly fabric called "Seawool"......»»
People are returning Humane AI Pins faster than Humane can sell them, report says
Returned devices are currently e-waste that can't be reassigned, per The Verge. Enlarge / The Humane AI Pin. (credit: Humane) Humane AI Pins were returned at faster rate than they were sold between May and August, accor.....»»
Finding pearls in the mud: Eco-friendly tungsten recovery from semiconductor waste
Semiconductor industry waste is typically seen as a costly disposal problem and an environmental hazard. But what if this waste could be transformed into a valuable resource?.....»»
Wheat waste: A phosphorus crisis?
Experiments published in Food and Energy Security by scientists at Queen Mary University of London and Royal Botanic Gardens suggest that we are globally wasting huge amounts of phosphorus......»»