Fast-dissolving bio resin could drive recycling of wind turbine blades

Although wind turbines generate electricity via an eco-friendly process, the giant blades of those turbines typically end up in landfills once they wear out. That could change, however, thanks to a new bio-based resin that would allow old blades to be … Continue reading Fast-dissolving bio resin could drive recycling of wind turbine blades

Fast-dissolving bio resin could drive recycling of wind turbine blades

Although wind turbines generate electricity via an eco-friendly process, the giant blades of those turbines typically end up in landfills once they wear out. That could change, however, thanks to a new bio-based resin that would allow old blades to be … Continue reading Fast-dissolving bio resin could drive recycling of wind turbine blades

Human hair: A surprisingly effective way to soak up oil spills

Lisa Gautier and her partner Patrice Gautier founded Matter of Trust in 1998 with the hopes of being able to tackle environmental issues. They soon met up with Phillip McCrory, a hair-dresser from Alabama, who had the idea for hair mats being a useful … Continue reading Human hair: A surprisingly effective way to soak up oil spills

Almost 100%-recyclable circuit board turns to jelly for disassembly

A new type of printed circuit board (PCB) could drastically reduce the amount of electronic waste that ends up in landfills. Although most PCBs are difficult to recycle, such is not the case with this one, which partially turns into a reusable jelly wh… Continue reading Almost 100%-recyclable circuit board turns to jelly for disassembly

Impressive new plastic self-heals, can be recycled and feeds marine life

Japanese scientists have developed a new type of plastic that’s strong at room temperature, but can be easily broken down on demand into its base components. In seawater, it starts to break down into food for marine life, and just to top it off, it can… Continue reading Impressive new plastic self-heals, can be recycled and feeds marine life

New adhesive can be switched on and off on demand, even underwater

Scientists in Japan have developed an intriguing new glue that can basically be switched on and off on demand. The adhesive sticks together when hit with one wavelength of light, and breaks apart with another, allowing it to be removed and reused easil… Continue reading New adhesive can be switched on and off on demand, even underwater

Plant-based PCB substrate breaks down in water for easier recycling

Our appetite for new gadgets is resulting in a huge e-waste problem, with just a fraction of the 50 million tonnes of tech thrown away each year being recycled. Looking to tackle a significant part of the problem, the UK’s Jiva Materials has developed … Continue reading Plant-based PCB substrate breaks down in water for easier recycling

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

Strong, spirulina-based bioplastic breaks down in the compost

Rich in vitamins and minerals, spirulina is a type of blue-green algae commonly used as a dietary supplement that you may have mixed into a drink as a powder or taken in a tablet when you were on a health kick. Now, researchers have used it to create a… Continue reading Strong, spirulina-based bioplastic breaks down in the compost

This cheap, strong paper bag can be reused, then turned into biofuel

We use a massive five trillion plastic bags every year, and they’re in the top five of all plastic products found in the natural environment. However, paper doesn’t fare any better, with many studies including a 2020 UNEP report citing the environmenta… Continue reading This cheap, strong paper bag can be reused, then turned into biofuel