plastic Archives – The Green Optimistic

IBM Researchers Develop Radical New Recycling Process for Old Plastic

Matias Prieto — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 05:14:24 +0000

Currently, more than 272 million metric tons of plastic are produced each year around the globe, with one-quarter of that made up of PET. To help to solve this big problem, IBM researchers have created a new technology called VolCat, a catalytic chemical process that can turn PET, a type of plastic commonly used in food […]

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Plastic Crackdown: Europe Moves to Ban Single-Use Plastic

Matthew Fiala — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 17:50:34 +0000

A Europe-wide ban on plastic could be in place by 2021 Throwaway plastic items such as cutlery, cotton buds, straws and stirrers could soon be banned across Europe backed by measures to drive down the growing mountain of single-use plastic waste. The EU Parliament voted strongly in favour of a complete ban by 2021 on a […]

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Plastics in Your Life Might Be Causing Reproductive Problems

Matthew Fiala — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 20:13:52 +0000

Twenty years ago, scientists realized that a common chemical in plastic named BPA (bisphenol A) leached out of plastics and caused reproductive problems in exposed animals. This resulted in the removal of BPA from many plastics used in bottles, cups, and other items. However, a recent study shows that BPA-free alternatives also cause chromosome damage […]

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India’s Radical Plan to Bury Its Plastic Waste in the Streets

Matthew Fiala — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 16:30:38 +0000

The first road held together by a cheap, polymer glue made from shredded waste plastic is showing to be incredibly resilient. Built in 2002, the road has weathered major floods, several monsoons, recurring heat waves, and a steady stream of traffic. Even today, it still has not developed the cracks, potholes, and craters that typically […]

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Degrading Plastic Emits Methane and Could be Responsible for Climate Change

Arsenij Percov — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 06:24:38 +0000

Plastic pollution is a huge problem since it negatively impacts marine and human life and the toxins plastic absorbs and releases move up the food chain. However, a group of researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) revealed in their latest study yet another potential […]

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France to Ban Plastic Dishes by 2020, Decision Stirs Controversy

Courtney Lepping — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 20:02:42 +0000

France just passed a law against plastic cups, cutlery, and plates. By 2020, the Energy Transition for Green Growth will go into effect and said plastics will start phasing out. Should it be illegal to negatively impact climate change? Or should it be legal to sell harmful goods despite the detrimental environmental impact? Either way, […]

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Ford’s Green CO2 Materials Will Reduce Carbon Emissions

Courtney Lepping — Fri, 20 May 2016 20:46:35 +0000

Ford, after working with other companies and universities, is taking the next environmentally-friendly leap to include biomaterials in vehicles. By using excess CO2 to create high-quality plastics and foam, the company will use such materials in vehicle seats and under the hood. The change to green vehicular materials will reduce carbon emissions. 2.4 million pounds […]

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Future Plastic Bags Could Be Made Out of Shrimp Shells

Ovidiu Sandru — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:57:34 +0000

Forrest Gump knew all about the “shrimpin’ business” from his friend Bubba, but at that time I guess he didn’t know how to get rid of the shrimp shells in an environmentally-sound way. Scientists today want to convert these crustaceans’ shells into bioplastics like nylon or polystyrene to avoid the use of petroleum. The industry […]

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U.S. – The Next Assembly Destination For Th!nk Electric Car

Ovidiu Sandru — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:04:02 +0000

An electric car maker from Norway, Think, will start assembling vehicles in the US next year, hoping to produce about 20,000 cars per year, informed the Wall Street Journal.

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Biodegradable UFO-like Plates for Cleaner Picnics

Cristi — Sat, 30 May 2009 19:02:08 +0000

UFO (Unidentified Feeding Object) plates are picnic plates which can be disposed after usage by launching them into the bushes, exactly like a frisbee. The most interesting thing about these plates is the fact that they can provide food for birds, squirrels or rodents.

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How To Turn Plastics into Diesel Fuel

Ovidiu Sandru — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:48:13 +0000

Global Resource Corporation (GRC) found a way to convert all plastics scrap and especially tire rubber to… guess what… DIESEL oil! The secret behind this invention is the generation of hundreds (to be more specific, 1200) of microwave spectrum frequencies, each of them acting on some hydrocarbons from the material to be “melted”. As the […]

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