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Group attempts to turn plastic waste into a useful soil additive

Envirotec Magazine

Researchers from University of California, Riverside, have detailed a method to convert plastic waste into a highly porous form of charcoal or char that has a whopping surface area of about 400 square meters per gram of mass. It could also fertilize the soil as it naturally breaks down.

Soil 245
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Survey identifies significant micro plastic pollution on summit of Snowdon

Envirotec Magazine

Geoscience technology firm CGG has conducted a microplastics pollution survey as part of a scoping study into whether it would be possible to create a “Plastic Free zone” on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). This workflow can be used to calculate the volume, size and shape of plastic particles within a sample.

Plastics 264
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Brazilian group presents novel method of analyzing microplastic pollution

Envirotec Magazine

The last decade has seen some progress with studying plastic pollution, but there are still significant challenges, such as a lack of comparability of reported results, especially when it comes to microplastic particles. Few studies of pollution by MPs have been published in Brazil, especially regarding inland aquatic areas.

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'Utmost importance': Worsening soil pollution among planet's biggest challenges, UN warns

Business Green

Global assessment of soil pollution warns of major threat to food supplies unless urgent action is taken to accelerate adoption of sustainable farming practices and tackle industrial waste. The report highlights how soils are being damaged on multiple fronts thanks to a combination of unsustainable farming and industrial practices.

Soil 83
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Plastic Pollution Awareness • 7/15/21

Women in Cleantech and Sustainability

Join WCS and Votes for the Planet to discuss the impact of plastic pollution and create your own Plastic Pollution Plan! Plastics are present in virtually every aspect of our lives: at the grocery store, restaurants, online shopping, packaging, and the list goes on. Virtual Event. Bring a friend! About the Co-Host.

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Transforming flies into degradable plastics

Envirotec Magazine

A project that uses insects as a source of chemicals to make plastics that can biodegrade later is being presented at the American Chemical Society (ACS) Fall 2023 event, a hybrid meeting being held 13-17 August. Guo has produced a hydrogel that can absorb 47 times its weight in water in just one minute.

Plastics 130
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Studying tiny plastics in the air

Envirotec Magazine

Large pieces of plastic can break down into nanosized particles that often find their way into soil and water. Researchers have developed a sensor that detects these particles and determines the types, amounts and sizes of the plastics using colourful dot films. Perhaps less well known is that they can also float in the air.

Plastics 130