The abstract of a June 9, 2022, Microbial Genomics article https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/mgen/10.1099/mgen.0.000842 by researchers with Australia The University of Queensland reports that “… we assessed changes in the gut microbiome of superworms (Zophobas morio) reared on bran, polystyrene or under starvation conditions over a 3 weeks period. Superworms on all diets were able to complete their […]
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Recycling – Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Recycling Coalition Formed
A June 8, 2022, The Recycling Partnership news release https://recyclingpartnership.org/pet-recycling-coalition/ announced “… the launch of its PET Recycling Coalition, an initiative informed by industry knowledge and expertise to improve PET … circularity. Its work will focus on …: Increasing the capture of PET bottles: Broadening the acceptance of PET trays, cups, and clamshells in community recycling collection programs; […]
Plastic Waste – Single Use Plastic Products on Interior Department Managed Lands to be Phased Out by 2032
A June 8, 2022 Interior Department news release https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/secretary-haaland-issues-order-phase-out-single-use-plastics-protect-public-lands-0 advises that the DoI Secretary has issued an Executive Order https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/elips/documents/so-3407.pdf “… which aims to reduce the procurement, sale and distribution of single-use plastic products and packaging with a goal of phasing out single-use plastic products on Department-managed lands by 2032. The Order is part of […]
Micro and Nano Plastics – Rodent Health Effects Explored
The abstract of an April 21, 2022 Particle and Fibre Toxicology article https://particleandfibretoxicology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12989-022-00473-y#Sec1 by researchers with the Germany Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology and others reports that “… The ubiquitous nature of micro- (MP) and nanoplastics (NP) is a growing environmental concern. However, their potential impact on human health remains unknown. Research increasingly […]
Plastic Waste – Plastic Makers Agree that “more must be done”
A June 7, 2022 American Chemistry Council (ACC) news release https://www.americanchemistry.com/chemistry-in-america/news-trends/press-release/2022/plastic-makers-americans-urge-action-on-plastic-waste advises that a recent World Wildlife Fund (WWF) public opinion poll on plastics and policy guidance on a circular economy for packaging ”… reinforces the need for Congress, state and local governments, and the plastics value chain to do more to address waste and […]
Sustainability Claims – Earth Island Lawsuit against Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestle, Mars and Several Others to Proceed in California
A June 6, 2022 Earth Island Institute news release https://www.earthisland.org/index.php/news/entry/coca-cola-pepsico-major-consumer-goods-companies-must-face-plastic-pollution-lawsuit-brought-by-environmental-group-in-california advises that on June 2 the Superior Court of California, San Mateo County, issued a court order https://www.earthisland.org/images/uploads/suits/2022-06-03_Order_Denying_Defts_MTQ.pdf allowing Earth Island’s “… lawsuit to proceed against 10 major consumer goods companies for the nuisance allegedly created by their plastic packaging, including polluting California waterways with plastic […]
Recycling – Colorado Enacts Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law
On June 3, 2022, the Colorado governor signed https://www.colorado.gov/governor/news/8171-governor-polis-signing-bills-prepare-and-respond-wildfires-protect-colorados-environment into law HB22-1355 “Producer Responsibility Program For Recycling” to “… remove the costs of recycling from localities and taxpayers, and save Coloradans money …” – The bill text at https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb22-1355 notes: “… On or before June 1, 2023, the executive director (executive director) of the Colorado […]
Nanoplastics – Effective Removal from Drinking Water by Sand Filtration Reported
The abstract of a Journal of Hazardous Materials article to be published August 15, 2022 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129011 by researchers with the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Italy Politecnico di Torino, Switzerland École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, and ETH Zurich reports that “… Microplastics detected in potable water sources and tap water have led to concerns […]
Plastic Waste – OECD Calls for “Radical” Action
According to a June 3, 2022 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) news release https://www.oecd.org/newsroom/global-plastic-waste-set-to-almost-triple-by-2060.htm “… The amount of plastic waste produced globally is on track to almost triple by 2060, with around half ending up in landfill and less than a fifth recycled … ‘Global Plastics Outlook: Policy Scenarios to 2060’ … without radical […]
Chemical Recycling – Upcycling of Polystyrene to Small Molecules (Benzoic Acid) Reported
The abstract of a March 23, 2022 Journal of the American Chemical Society article https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.2c01411 by researchers with US Cornell University reports that “… Chemical upcycling of polystyrene into targeted small molecules is desirable to reduce plastic pollution. Herein, we report the upcycling of polystyrene to benzoyl products, primarily benzoic acid, using a catalyst-controlled photooxidative […]