Plastic Pollution

SINGAPORE — A growing body of scientific research linking tire wear to microplastic pollution, as well as increasing scrutiny from lawmakers in the European Union (EU), has led the $180 billion-a-year tire industry to fight back. The companies have stepped up lobbying with EU lawmakers weighing tougher regulations on tire…

In order to rid the oceans of plastic, we first have to get rid of plastic on land. Cement factories in Asia may be part of the solution. Credit: Unsplash.com Hope in the midst of crisis. Overflowing landfill sites in Asia may prove to be goldmines for local cement producers.…

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A growing body of scientific research linking tyre wear to microplastic pollution, as well as increasing scrutiny from lawmakers in the European Union (EU), has led the $180 billion-a-year tyre industry to fight back. FILE PHOTO: Used tyres are seen in a container at a recycling park…

Wednesday, April 22 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, an annual global celebration in support of environmental protection. But this year, the coronavirus pandemic is making it difficult to get outside and honor the beauty of the planet.  With the majority of the world's population in some form of isolation, Earth…

ITHACA, NY — To address plastic pollution plaguing the world's seas and waterways, Cornell University chemists have developed a new polymer that can degrade by ultraviolet radiation, according to research published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society."We have created a new plastic that has the mechanical properties required…

There is no Planet B Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash I read a horror story this weekend. But the monster wasn’t some creepy clown or secret white supremacist looking to shape change into the body of a young black man. The monster was us. The horror story in question…

Legendary American cartoon character Popeye the Sailor is teaming up with the French environmental organization, The SeaCleaners, to highlight the importance of conservation and cleaning the world’s oceans. Based in Brittany, the organization focuses on raising awareness and long-term, worldwide preservation of the ocean. It also develops solutions to clear…

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S.-based Andretti Autosport has signed up as the sixth team to race in Extreme E next year, the electric off-road SUV racing series announced on Friday. The Michael Andretti-led outfit has won the Indianapolis 500 five times and taken four IndyCar series titles. It also runs the…

Throwaway plastic items were due to be banned from April after a consultation revealed "overwhelming" public support. The plastic lobbyists have been working overtime and have succeeded here. Help us keep The Ecologist working for the planet The Ecologist website is a free service, published by The Resurgence Trust, a…

Scientists say they’ve “engineered” a mutant bacterial enzyme that can easily break down plastic bottles for recycling in a matter of hours.Originally discovered in a compost heap by researchers in 2012, the enzyme reduces the bottles to their initial chemical building blocks which are then recycled to make brand new bottles.The…