HEADLINES ARCHIVE
Unusual architecture: building with objects designed for another purpose
Construction in this age of sustainability presents a number of challenges from what material to use to how well the structure handles energy. With that in mind, builders are finding that objects designed for entirely different purposes can have a second life as a home or even a hotel room. Following is a review of some unusual spaces created from objects intended for vastly different purposes.
Samsung doing away with plastic packaging
The electronics division of Samsung announced this week that it would no longer wrap its products in plastic packaging.
Graphene dough easy to transport, store and mold
A non-solution-based processing route produces graphene oxide in a dough state without the use of binders.
Vessel composed of plastic waste and flip flops highlights issue of plastic pollution
Environmentalists in Kenya have constructed a boat composed almost entirely of waste to highlight the issue of plastic pollution.
Anymal traverses and inspects Zurich sewers
During testing the robot transmitted images and a mind-boggling 500,000 measurements per second back to the above-ground team.
Dietary choices for improved environmental sustainability
Government dietary guidelines should include information about how food choices affect the planet and long-term sustainability of the food system.
Team creates floating island park from river debris
Researchers in the city of Rotterdam have transformed plastic waste collected from a river that runs through the city into a floating island park.
NYC's ban on polystyrene foam containers takes effect
Effective Jan. 1, single-use polystyrene foam food containers were banned in New York City restaurants and food vendors.
Scientists 3D Print Tissue Using Seaweed
Scientists from Penn State University have recently demonstrated that it is possible to 3D print breathable tissue using an unexpected ingredient: seaweed.
Tea Maker Attracting Criticism for Faulty Biodegradable Tea Bags
The makers of Yorkshire Teas had set out to make all of their tea bags biodegradable before the end of 2019 with a version that doesn’t include plastic.
Study: Polystyrene, Tupperware Are the Most Sustainable Takeout Food Containers
Researchers concentrated on life cycle assessment (LCA) to approximate the impact of containers, looking at factors such as manufacturing, usage and end-of-life waste management.
Synthetic Particles Discovered in all Sea Turtles Examined for Study
As one study suggested in recent months that just one piece of plastic can prove deadly to sea turtles, another is revealing that of the over 100 sea turtles examined (across all seven species of sea turtle and from three different oceans) in its research, synthetic particles were found in the stomachs of each and every one.
How to Upgrade Your Filling and Packaging Lines
Upgrade your packaging and filling lines to maximize production throughput and increase profitability.
Researchers Develop 100% Biodegradable and Edible Plastic Packaging
Composed of plant carbohydrates and proteins, the packaging could potentially replace the controversial plastic packaging material that often pollutes the world’s oceans and enters into the food chain.
Report: China to Further Curtail Refuse Imports
Although China has long imported large amounts of worldwide refuse, a ban on solid waste imports that went into effect last year is expected to be expanded, according to reports.
Researchers Develop "Bumpy" Food Label to Prevent Food Waste
Predicting when food might spoil is a veritable guessing game based on seemingly arbitrary dates that often see food discarded before its time. Now, researchers in the U.K. may have devised a solution to the issue of monitoring food freshness with the creation of a new label for milk containers that will decompose in sync with the liquid contents going sour.
Flushable Wipes Aren't Passing Disintegration Tests in the U.K.
So-called flushable wipes are failing the U.K. water industry’s disintegration tests, according to recent reports.
Plastic Microfibers Found in the Stool Samples of Wild Animals
Following news that microplastics have been found in human stool samples comes word that for the first time plastic microfibers, which are microscopic hairs of plastic, have also been discovered in the stool samples of wild animals — namely, South American fur seals.
Decommissioning Milestone for Space Fuel Plant
Equipment contaminated with plutonium once used to power deep space missions has been removed from a building at the Savannah River Site facility.
A Phthalate Substitute Promises Safer Plastics
An alternative plasticizer that doesn’t leach out of polyvinyl chloride is under development.