A USGS study identified plastic in more than 90% of rainwater samples taken from across Colorado. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/rain-microplastic-rocky-mountains-colorado…
Tag: Plastics
Can Robots Solve America’s Recycling Crisis?
CNBC reports that to solve America’s recycling crisis, “companies and municipalities are turning to AI-assisted robots.” The problem began last year when China, the world’s largest recyclable processor, stopped accepting most American scrap plastic and cardboard due to contamination problems, and a glut of plastics overwhelming its own processing facilities. Historically, China recycled the bulk of U.S. waste… The situation is…
‘Vast Quantities’ of Recycled Plastics Are Actually Burned Or Dumped In Landfills
“A Guardian investigation reveals that cities around the country are no longer recycling many types of plastic dropped into recycling bins. Instead, they are being landfilled, burned or stockpiled…” An anonymous reader shared this eye-opening report from the Guardian. “From Los Angeles to Florida to the Arizona desert, officials say, vast quantities of plastic are now no better than garbage…”
As municipalities…
Lego Struggles To Find a Plant-Based Plastic That Clicks
Last year, it was reported that Lego was investing $120 million and hiring about 100 people to eliminate its dependence on petroleum-based plastics, and build its toys entirely from plant-based or recycled materials by 2030. The effort has been seven years in the making, “but it keeps hitting brick walls,” as The Wall Street Journal reports. From the report: Lego tried…
Canada Plans To Ban ‘Harmful’ Single-Use Plastics By 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that Canada will ban many single-use plastic items by 2021, including bags, straws, cutlery and stirring sticks, to cut harmful waste damaging the country’s ecosystems. CNN reports: Trudeau announced the measures Monday, describing “a problem we simply can’t ignore.” “Plastic waste ends up in our landfills and incinerators, litters our parks and beaches, and…
Microplastics found in remote Pyrenees Mountains
Microplastic particles – too small for the human eye to see – were blown into the once pristine region by the wind, according to a new study. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/microplastics-found-pyrenees-mountains…
Biodegradable Bags Buried for 3 Years Are Still Usable
Olivia Rosane – Are biodegradable consumer products a sham? Source: https://www.wakingtimes.com/2019/04/30/biodegradable-bags-buried-for-3-years-are-still-usable/…
Pakistani Scientists Discover Fungus that Can ‘Eat’ Plastic
Luke Miller – This mushroom could be the solution to the global plastic problem. Source: https://www.wakingtimes.com/2019/04/23/pakistani-scientists-discover-fungus-that-can-eat-plastic/…
Unbuttoned: Hello, Little Microbe. Doesn’t This Jacket Look Yummy?
Now we can trick tiny bugs into eating our clothing. Consumption is finally a good thing. Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/22/fashion/biodegradable-clothing-sustainability.html?partner=rss&emc=rss…
7 things we’ve learned about Earth since the last Earth Day
Source: https://www.vox.com/2019/4/21/18223816/earth-day-2019-climate-change-plastic-extinction…