As smartphone sales have skyrocketed, so has the device’s contribution to waste streams and carbon emissions. Manufacturers will need to conserve resources as 6 of the key elements for mobile phones will run out in the next 100 years.
World Recycling
High school students turn non-recyclable plastic bottle tops into earrings
Five Ōtūmoetai College students are taking part in the Young Enterprise Scheme and have started a business that turns the plastic bottle tops into earrings. ‘Dune’ has launched on Instagram and will be appearing at local markets next month.
Renowned Percussionist Dendê Macêdo Recycling Trash Into Musical Treasure
What may seem like trash to some is musical treasure in the hands of Afro-Brazilian artist Dendê Macêdo. His new album “Recycled Sounds” features instruments made of found materials.
AGIC backs golf ball recycling programme
The Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC) is backing an exciting new venture that will see used golf balls recycled into multiple applications including furniture, drainage systems, pathways, roads and sculptures.
Recycling app uses AI to identify rubbish
A new app will use artificial intelligence to help Australians work out if their rubbish can be recycled. Recycle Mate is designed to end widespread confusion about what goes into which coloured bin.
L’Oréal, Nestlé Waters, PepsiCo, Suntory Unveil World’s First Enzymatically Recycled Bottles
The potential to endlessly recycle PET plastic recently became a step closer to reality, as a consortium of companies announced the successful production of the world’s first food-grade PET plastic bottles produced entirely from enzymatically recycled plastic.
Recycling face masks into roads to tackle COVID-generated waste
Researchers have shown how disposable face masks could be recycled to make roads. Their study shows that using the recycled face mask material to make just one kilometre of a two-lane road would use up about 3 million masks.
New Recycling Methods Will Make Electric Vehicles Greener
Researchers in Britain and the United States have found ways to reuse old electric vehicle batteries. The methods can cut costs and carbon emissions while providing supplies for an expected increase in demand.
Could cow stomachs solve plastic recycling?
Cow stomachs could hold the secret to recycling plastic bottles, clothing and food containers made using polymers with titles such as PET, PBAT and PEF.
Recycling robot could help solve soft plastic waste crisis
Engineering researchers are developing a unique method to increase the recycling of soft plastics by creating a smart robot that can identify, sort and separate different types of recyclable waste.
Unilever introduces paper-based bottles for laundry detergent
Unilever is set to launch its first paper-based bottles for laundry detergent in Brazil next year, with an ambition in place to introduce the packaging across Europe thereafter.
Major food brands launch fund for bag, pouch recycling
Mars UK, Mondelez International, Nestle, PepsiCo and Unilever have jointly launched a $1.5 million fund that aims to invest in efforts to make plastic bags, wrappers, firms, pouches, packets and sachets easier for consumers to recycle.