Prof. Pennie Lindeque added that microplastics “act as carriers for antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, enhancing their survival and spread… each particle becomes a tiny vehicle capable of transporting pathogens from sewage works to beaches, swimming areas and shellfish-growing sites.”
While enzymatic recycling offers hope for managing existing plastic waste, scientists and environmental advocates agree it must be paired with the development of bio-based plastics—materials made from renewable biological sources like corn starch, sugarcane, or algae. Unlike conventional plastics derived from fossil fuels, bio-based alternatives can dramatically reduce carbon emissions at the production stage and are often compatible with closed-loop recycling.
Chemical exposures were highest among younger toddlers and racial/ethnic minorities, reflecting systemic environmental injustice. While some older chemicals like triclosan and certain phthalates are decreasing (likely due to public pressure and reformulations), new unregulated substitutes like DINCH and emerging pesticides are on the rise.
Next time you reach for a plastic-wrapped snack or sip from a disposable cup, remember: the real cost may not show up on the price tag, but in your liver enzymes or your glucose test.
Nylon’s dirty little secret? It sticks around. From fishing nets to yoga pants, nylon takes decades to degrade—especially in oceans—choking marine life and clogging ecosystems. But a Korean research team has just pulled off a sustainability moonshot: a new polyester-amide (PEA) plastic that acts like nylon, but disappears like magic—breaking down 92% in real ocean water within a year.
Sherman also points out that the operators of the studied bouldering gyms were very cooperative and showed a high level of interest in improving the air quality in their gyms. "This constructive cooperation should lead to the creation of the healthiest possible climbing hall environment, for example through better ventilation, cleaning, avoiding peak times and designing climbing shoes with fewer additives."
Green PE is produced using ethanol derived from renewable sources—primarily sugarcane in Brazil, but also wheat grain and beet in Europe. It behaves the same as traditional polyethylene: it’s durable, moldable, and recyclable. The difference lies in its feedstock and carbon footprint. While not biodegradable, Green PE is a key player in the circular economy: it sequesters carbon during crop growth and reduces life-cycle emissions when used and recycled responsibly.
The research reveals that human brains contain approximately a spoon's worth of microplastics and nanoplastics - MNPs - with levels 3 to 5 times higher in individuals with documented dementia diagnoses.
The global push for environmentally sustainable materials positions CornNext-17 to capitalize on increasing regulatory support and consumer demand for green products. Its adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendly properties provide a competitive edge in addressing the growing plastic pollution crisis.
Their compostable, recyclable, and biobased material embodies the shared vision between Balena and Stella McCartney: a future where innovation meets circularity to create truly sustainable design.
According to a report by Grand View Research, the global bioplastics market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 18.8% to reach $44.77 billion by 2030. The growth is attributed to the increased demand for sustainable bio-based products from sectors including consumer goods, food and beverages, and packaging solutions, among others.
Transitioning operations takes some tweaks in the short term, but working with an experienced supplier makes the process easier. Green Paper Products has years of experience helping the food industry switch over to certified compostable products.
The film Gifts of the Nile takes us to Qursaya Island in Cairo, Egypt along the Nile River. This film takes us on a journey alongside River Hero Alban De Ménonville and his team at VeryNile as they work to remove plastics from the Nile River, while also educating the community and raising awareness around the importance of conservation in our waterways.
A new scientific study showing that desert camels are dying from mistaking plastic bags for food has lead pioneering plastic pollution researchers and others to call for a radical shift in how we discuss the problem that's harming life in all environments on Earth--on land, not just in the sea.
Plastics are the bane of our existence. We all want to use less without changing much about the convenience or ordering Chinese take-away. from the same country that brought us Waze to help us get around cities, is W-Cycle, a company that tackles plastic one-time use products by turning them into sugar.