Waste management

    ‘We should be outraged’: Plastics treaty talks collapse as countries disagree on chemicals and money
    03 Dec 2024

    The talks were about phasing out plastic production, improving waste management, design requirements for plastic products and funding the global transition away from plastic. Talks to reach an agreement on how to tackle the epidemic of plastic waste have collapsed. Countries spent the past week trying to create the first ever legally binding treaty on […]

    As countries meet to agree a landmark plastics treaty, is recycling or producing less the answer?
    01 Dec 2024

    Even if 50 per cent more plastic was recycled there would still be a pollution problem, a French minister said this week. In Busan, South Korea countries are trying to negotiate a landmark treaty to reduce plastic pollution. It is now entering the final stretch of talks before the treaty becomes legally binding – two […]

    Global Plastic Treaty: Talks begin to finalise deal for curbing plastic pollution
    27 Nov 2024

    Global plastic production has increased over 200-fold to hit almost 460 million tonnes annually since 1950. The Global Plastics Treaty talks have kicked off with nations gathering in Busan, South Korea, for a week of discussions. The aim is to produce a legally binding treaty that will address the world’s plastic pollution problem by tackling […]

    Scientists discover fastest degrading bioplastic in seawater

    Scientists at the Wood Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) have been working for years to find out what types of plastics have the shortest and longest lifespans in the ocean, and what types of plastic products, like straws and food wrappers, most commonly contribute to plastic pollution. With more biodegradable materials being developed , like cellulose […]

    Airborne plastic chemical levels shock researchers

    A new study documents how Southern Californians are chronically being exposed to toxic airborne chemicals called plasticizers, including one that’s been banned from children’s items and beauty products. Plasticizers are chemical compounds that make materials more flexible. They are used in a wide variety of products ranging from lunchboxes and shower curtains to garden hoses […]

    One million bottles of water bought every minute around the world

    One million bottles of water are bought every minute around the globe, researchers say, raising concerns about the impact of microplastics on the health of humans and the planet. Around two billion people with limited or no access to safe drinking water rely on bottled water. However, many others consider it to be convenient and even potentially safer […]

    Faster, cleaner way to extract lithium from battery waste

    Researchers uncover a rapid, efficient and environmentally friendly method for selective lithium recovery using microwave radiation and a readily biodegradable solvent. A microwave-based process boasts 50% recovery rate in 30 seconds. The “white gold” of clean energy, lithium is a key ingredient in batteries large and small, from those powering phones and laptops to grid-scale […]

    UAE targets ‘Waste-free Schools’ through new project

    Dubai: The UAE on Saturday announced the ‘Waste-free Schools’ project to promote the adoption of “circular economy principles”. The project was launched during the second meeting of the UAE Council for Environmental and Municipal Work chaired by Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment. The ministry signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) […]

    ‘Clean UAE’ concludes after removing over 40 tonnes of trash

    Dubai: The 21st cycle of ‘Clean UAE’ campaign that started on December 5 in Ajman, concluded on a high note with the participation of 50,943 volunteers during the final leg of the annual clean-up drive on December 15 in Abu Dhabi. Organised by Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), under the patronage of Ministry of Climate Change […]

    ‘Clean UAE’ campaign nets over 11 tonnes of waste for recycling in Dubai

    Dubai: The fourth leg of the country-wide ‘Clean UAE’ campaign, organised by Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) in cooperation with the Ministries of Climate Change and Environment and Community Development, saw the participation of 6,395 volunteers who collected around 11,3 tonnes of waste for recycling and proper disposing on Saturday. The area covered by the campaign […]