One liter of bottled water found to contain 240,000 plastic fragments

Using advanced imaging technology, researchers have ascertained the number of nanoplastics – bits of plastic smaller than a micrometer – in bottled water, finding that, on average, a liter contains 240,000 detectable fragments. The study provides inval… Continue reading One liter of bottled water found to contain 240,000 plastic fragments

Korean researchers aim to trap marine trash at its source

Though efforts to clean up plastic waste from our oceans are well underway, it’s also vital to stem the tide at a major source of pollution: rivers. Researchers in South Korea are looking to doing just that at a “living lab” facility in Gongju.Continue… Continue reading Korean researchers aim to trap marine trash at its source

‘Not right now’: Key marine species turned off sex by plastic chemicals

A new study has found that chemical additives in everyday plastic might be stopping – or, at best, interrupting – the reproductive habits of a shrimp-like species that is key to the marine food chain. The findings provide a different perspective on the… Continue reading ‘Not right now’: Key marine species turned off sex by plastic chemicals

Heaps of pharmaceuticals, toxic chemicals found in recycled plastics

While the use of recycled plastics is normally considered a noble endeavor, a new study says it’s time to think twice. In an analysis of the material from more than 10 different countries, hundreds of potentially harmful chemicals were uncovered.Contin… Continue reading Heaps of pharmaceuticals, toxic chemicals found in recycled plastics

Envirocat 8.5 cleanly and quietly removes plastic waste from rivers

UK shipyard MMS has added a new member to its fleet of floating-debris collection vessels. The latest Envirocat is the first to clean up waterways without releasing engine fumes into the environment.Continue ReadingCategory: Marine, TransportTags: Plas… Continue reading Envirocat 8.5 cleanly and quietly removes plastic waste from rivers

More evidence connecting BPA exposure to ADHD and autism

For the first time, scientists have described a biochemical mechanism linking attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with the common but problematic compound Bisphenol A (BPA), which can leach into food and w… Continue reading More evidence connecting BPA exposure to ADHD and autism

More evidence connecting BPA exposure to ADHD and autism

For the first time, scientists have described a biochemical mechanism linking attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with the common but problematic compound Bisphenol A (BPA), which can leach into food and w… Continue reading More evidence connecting BPA exposure to ADHD and autism

Low-emissions flash method upcycles waste plastic into “free” hydrogen

Researchers have used a low-emissions method to harvest hydrogen and graphene from waste plastics. They say it not only solves environmental problems like plastic pollution and greenhouse gas production, but the value of the graphene by-product could o… Continue reading Low-emissions flash method upcycles waste plastic into “free” hydrogen

Bacteria recruited to build endlessly recyclable plastic

Plastic is one of the most useful materials in our modern world, but unfortunately it’s also one of the worst in a sustainability sense. Now, scientists at Berkeley Lab have developed a way to engineer bacteria to produce raw materials that can be made… Continue reading Bacteria recruited to build endlessly recyclable plastic

Bacterial cellulose used to create new edible packaging material

We may soon be finishing off a box of cereal and then eating the bag it came in. Researchers have turned to bacteria-produced cellulose to create a composite packaging material to replace plastic. The material is not only robust and sustainable to prod… Continue reading Bacterial cellulose used to create new edible packaging material