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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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Scotland reaches 12-year low for household waste while recycling plateaus

Envirotec Magazine

Last year Scotland generated its lowest amount of household waste since 2011, according to the latest figures released by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), published on 17 October. tonnes of waste per person in 2022, with 0.19 The total amount of household waste generated was 2.33 tonnes recycled, 0.11

Waste 130
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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. However, the adults have a short life span after their breeding days are over and are then discarded.

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
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PAS 110 Complacency? Time to raise the bar, says organic waste firm

Envirotec Magazine

According to Gemidan, plastic, glass and metal still pollutes the soil – despite PAS 110. Gemidan also claim that long-awaited regulation on local authority food waste collection will dramatically increase the amount of feedstock available for AD operators.

Organic 171
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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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Landfill and recycling both down, and incineration on the up: Scotland waste summary 2020 published

Envirotec Magazine

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) published statistics on 7 December detailing household waste collected across all local authorities during 2020, as well as waste landfilled and incinerated in Scotland in 2020. Household waste generated increased 0.3% Household waste generated increased 0.3%

Recycling 130