Circular Economy West Africa’s plastic waste could be fuelling the economy instead of polluting the ocean: experts by Elhadj Bara Dème & Pierre Failler The West Africa Coastal Area Management Programme has initiated studies to assess the environmental and economic impact of plastic pollution in the region
Pollution Myths about plastic pollution are leading to public confusion: here’s why by Lesley Henderson Compelling sound bites help to focus public and policy attention on the pressing topic of plastic pollution, but their scientific basis is far from robust
Plastics The climate impact of plastic pollution is negligible – the production of new plastics is the real problem by Karin Kvale, Andrew Weaver & Natalia Gurgacz The dual pressures of climate change and plastic pollution are frequently conflated in the media, in peer-reviewed research and other environmental reporting. This is understandable. Plastics are largely derived from…
Plastics New class of recyclable polymer materials could one day help reduce single-use plastic waste by Katherine Harry & Emma Rettner Materials scientists have developed a new method for creating and deconstructing polymers that could lead to more easily recycled plastics
Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Lego’s ESG dilemma: Why an abandoned plan to use recycled plastic bottles is a wake-up call for supply chain sustainability by Tinglong Dai, Christopher S. Tang & Hau L. Lee Lego has pulled out of its widely publicized “Bottles to Bricks” initiative
Micro-plastic ‘Humanity’s signature’: study finds plastic pollution in the world’s lakes can be worse than in oceans by David Hamilton, Deniz Özkundakci, Justin Brookes & Mohammad Hassan Ranjbaris A world-first study has found concentrations of plastics in some lakes are higher than in the most contaminated parts of oceans, demonstrating the extent to which plastics have invaded Earth’s ecosystems.
Diversion Pulverized fuel ash: how we can recycle the dirty byproduct from coal-fired power stations by Emily Atkins The ash from burning coal in coal-fired power stations is now being put to good use in the construction industry
Textiles Fast fashion’s waste problem could be solved by recycled textiles but brands need to help boost production by Quynh Do Nhu & Mark Stevenson Earlier this year, fast fashion retailer Zara released its first womenswear collection made of recycled poly-cotton textile waste. The collection is available for sale in 11 countries, helping clothing made…
Material recovery Australia is facing a 450,000-tonne mountain of used solar panels. Here’s how to turn it into a valuable asset by Archie Chapman Rather than treating them as “waste”, these panels could be a source of social, environmental and economic value
PFAS ‘Eco-friendly’ straws contain potentially toxic chemicals – posing a threat to people and wildlife by Ovokeroye Abafe Supposedly sustainable straws contain potentially toxic chemicals called polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)