Researchers in Australia want to transform single-use COVID masks into road material. In the United States, the protective gear is recycled into benches. And in France, they are reborn as floor carpets for cars.
World Recycling
EU to Toughen Rules on Offshore Platform, Ship Recycling
The European Union has said it will toughen its rules on ship recycling and decommissioning offshore oil and gas sites, and set new targets to restore damaged marine ecosystems.
Toothpaste tube recycling on the way
After five years of research and development Colgate says it has developed a first-of-its-kind plastic recyclable toothpaste tube in a bid to reduce the 50 million tubes that end up in landfill every year.
Superdry and Morrisons sign up to clear polythene recycling initiative
Mainetti, the global retail solutions provider, has started working with a number of retailers – including Superdry, Nutmeg at Morrisons and Very.co.uk – to provide a ‘world first’ closed loop clear polythene recycling initiative, Mainetti Polyloop.
Cleaning up the plastic pollution pandemic
The pandemic has seen a surge in single-use plastics, with disposable masks, gloves and other PPE equipment ceaselessly washing up on beaches across the globe. If we act now, this could be a pivotal moment.
Microwaves could be the future for plastic recycling
It’s been almost a decade since Jocelyn Doucet first experimented with recycling plastic waste in a microwave. Now he says the technology derived from those early efforts will make it possible to produce plastic almost exclusively from recycled materials.
Divers find Philippine reef covered with single-use face masks
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is washing up on coral reefs close to the Philippine capital, Manila. Environmental groups are warning that the plastic inside face masks is breaking down and being consumed by marine wildlife.
New plant-based plastic can be printed — and fully recycled
A new bio-based plastic has been made by researchers at the University of Konstanz in Germany that can be recycled with near-perfect efficiency, recovering 96 per cent of the starting material.
Turning trash into treasure at a recycling plant in Afghanistan
Afghan businessman Mohammad Zarif Ishaqzai is committed to turning trash into treasure. Ishaqzai, who established a small plant in western Herat province to recycle used items, believes that providing job opportunities could contribute to stabilising security in the country.
Noel Leeming embarks on e-waste recycling trial
Noel Leeming is trialling a free e-waste recycling programme in partnership TechCollect NZ. The recycling programme aims to divert thousands of kilograms of e-waste from landfill.
How ‘green ceramics’ made from glass and clothes are revolutionising manufacturing
Professor Veena Sahajwalla’s innovative thinking has led to the idea of “green ceramics” — products made from technology that is set to revolutionise manufacturing and the way we furnish our homes.
Plastic packaging innovations get recyclability nods
A slew of packaging products – a plastic aerosol can, multi-layer HDPE bottle, bottle and film labels – recently received recognition for their compatibility with plastics recycling processes.