Researchers at Northeast Forestry University developed a #bamboo-derived #plastic using molecular #engineering that equals traditional plastic strength and durability while completely biodegrading in soil within two months. The material can be recycled with 90% strength retention, offering a sustainable alternative for automotive and infrastructure applications.

https://newatlas.com/materials/bamboo-derived-biodegradable-plastic-durable/

Why #recycling isn’t enough to address the #plastic problem
Plastic production is a massive source of #greenhousegas #emissions.
The pace at which we’re producing and using plastic is absolutely bonkers. Plastic production has increased at an average rate of 9% every year since 1950. Production hit 460 million metric tons in 2019. And an estimated 52 million metric tons are dumped into the environment or burned each year.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/08/21/1122247/recycling-climate-emissions/

We need to regulate, to ban the use of soft plastics wherever an alternative is feasibly possible - waxed paper, cellophane etc, and to require the use of recycled plastic in other cases.

Industries & retailers won’t take action unless landed with taxes & fines.
#Plastic

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/05/new-soft-plastics-recycling-scheme-will-replace-australia-failed-redcycle-how-will-it-work?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

"Microplastics reduce soil fertility and boost production of a potent greenhouse gas, study shows"

#Microplastics #Plastic #Plastics

https://phys.org/news/2025-10-microplastics-soil-fertility-boost-production.html

OOPS Price of smoking will rise

Spain tobacco firms to pay to clean up cigarette butts

Tobacco companies will now be charged to clean up cigarette butts off the streets and beaches of Spain, according to new environmental regulations.

Millions of butts are thrown away each year - releasing toxic plastic waste which can take decades to break down.

#Plastic #Spain #Environment
#Pollution

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64184451

Plastic particle mismanagement identified as key driver of environmental contamination https://phys.org/news/2025-09-plastic-particle-mismanagement-key-driver.html

#plastic #recycling is a #scam,
#climatetown
#klimaat #climate #milieu #environment #lie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJnJ8mK3Q3g

#nebula
https://nebula.tv/videos/climatetown-plastic-recycling-is-an-actual-scam-climate-town

I completed my mission of not buying any drinks in plastic bottles for the entire month of September. (I named it #NoPETember for lack of a better term.) After a week-ish it really wasn't too difficult at all.

#NoPETember
#environment #plastic

"Scottish teenager’s petition on single-use plastics wins support in parliament"

#UK #UnitedKingdom #Scotland #Plastic #Plastics

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/24/single-use-plastics-ban-tabby-fletcher-jura-petition-scottish-parliament-msp

"...On Wednesday, the city of Philadelphia sued two major companies that use the How2Recycle label and other recycling symbols on their plastic bags: SC Johnson, which owns Ziploc, and Bimbo Bakeries USA, the country’s largest commercial baking company and the owner of brands such as Oroweat and Sara Lee. According to the 47-page complaint, SC Johnson and Bimbo have engaged in a “coordinated campaign of deception” to convince consumers that their plastic bags are recyclable...."

https://grist.org/accountability/philadelphia-sues-ziploc-sc-johnson-bimbo-bakeries-recycling-symbol-how2recycle/

#beauty #business #plastic #sustainability

'PlasticFree provides a resource for designers, brands and businesses to discover plastic alternatives and hosts thousands of validated materials, as well as expert analysis and case studies.'

https://cosmeticsbusiness.com/sustainable-materials-database-for-cosmetics-becomes-free-to

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4WDAYve38w

A tasty gourmet treat that's now a #plastic substitute -

The man and the #mushroom kayak: can a boat made from #mycellim change the future/ https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/07/mushroom-kayak-plastic-alternative

Micro- en nanoplastics zorgen voor stress bij gewassen zoals sla en wortels. Dat ontdekte Laura Julia Zantis. Door die stress kunnen planten minder goed groeien en daalt hun voedingswaarde.

Micro- and nanoplastics cause stress to crops such as lettuce and carrots, PhD candidate Laura Julia Zantis found. This can lead to reduced growth and a lower nutritional value.

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2025/09/plastics-are-causing-stress-to-crops-and-biodegradable-alternatives-do-too

"Inside the Plastics Industry Playbook: Delay, Deny, and Distract"

#Plastic #Plastics #Environment

https://e360.yale.edu/features/saabira-chaudhuri-interview

The Japanese government is pushing for the development of a new plastic material that naturally decomposes in the sea as marine environmental pollution becomes ever more serious. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/09/15/japan/science-health/developing-biodegradable-plastics-to-reduce-marine-plastic-waste/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #sciencehealth #oceans #environment #plastic #waste #meti #pollution

It's only taken 3 years to attempt to get something like REDcycle going again. We still need to phase out #plastic packaging entirely, but this is better than nothing. #recycling #sustainability

https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-09-12/soft-plastics-recycling-woolworths-coles-aldi-trial/105756840

The very first factory here in NL has started manufacturing a new material called PEF-based bioplastic, which is a sustainable alternative for the current oil based plastics.

I am proud to see how our flat little country keeps showing tremendous innovation and can be seen as a forerunner when it comes to creating sustainable solutions for current global issues.

https://www.chemport.eu/news/article/a-worlds-first-factory-for-bioplastics-under-construction-in-chemport-avantium-is-breaking-ground/