Tootfinder

"Microplastics are everywhere—but our methods to track them are all over the place"
#Microplastics #Plastic #Plastics

Microplastics are everywhere—but our methods to track them are all over the place
A new study from the University of Portsmouth has highlighted the growing role of citizen science in tackling one of the planet's most pervasive pollution problems: microplastics and mesoplastics. While researchers often warn that a lack of standardized protocols risks muddying the waters, this research shows that public involvement could be key to plugging the data gaps and that comparability rather than conformity is key.

Weekend #Plankton Factoid 🦠🦐
27 M tonnes. Dutch NIOZ scientists found that nanoplastics (<1 μm) are not only widespread, but equivalent to the mass of macro & microplastics! Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) #plastics don't just float on th…

"One of the biggest microplastic pollution sources isn't straws or grocery bags. It's your tires"
#Microplastics #Plastic #Plastics

One of the biggest microplastic pollution sources isn't straws or grocery bags. It's your tires
Every few years, the tires on your car wear thin and need to be replaced. But where does that lost tire material go?

I'm back from the supermarket... every salad item was in a plastic bag or wrap... forget about straws, those were just a minor part of a much bigger problem.
#Plastics #Sustainability

"Plastic bag bans help: Study finds up to 47% drop in shoreline bag litter"
#Plastic #Plastics #Environment

Plastic bag bans help: Study finds up to 47% drop in shoreline bag litter
Among the biggest culprits of plastic pollution in the ocean and along shorelines are thin plastic shopping bags, which have low recycling rates and often become litter when they blow away in the wind. Once there, they can entangle animals and break down into harmful microplastics. As awareness of this problem has grown, more than 100 countries have instituted bans or fees on plastic bags. But what effect those policies are having on the amount of plastic litter in the marine environment has no…

What can go wrong?
"Spanish researchers have identified different types of plastics in seminal plasma and ovarian follicular fluid"
#plastics #pollution #health

"Green roofs shown to capture nearly all microplastics from rainwater"
#Microplastics #Plastic #Plastics

Green roofs shown to capture nearly all microplastics from rainwater
A small team of researchers at Tongji University, working with a colleague from the Shanghai Academy of Landscape Architecture Science and Planning, both in China, has found that growing plants on roofs can serve as an effective way to remove microplastics from the air. In their study, published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, the group measured the amounts of microplastics found on plants and the soil in which they grow.

"DIY plastic recycling made easy: How a global community is fighting plastic pollution"
#Recycling #Plastic #Plastics

"Hungry bugs and disappearing bioplastics hold key to ending plastic waste crisis, say scientists"
#Plastic #Plastics #Environment

Hungry bugs and disappearing bioplastics hold key to ending plastic waste crisis, say scientists
Scientists are working with microbes found in Australia's unique ecosystem to create bioplastics which break down in land, soil and water. The research aims to tackle one of the most pressing global issues—single-use plastic food packaging: a significant feature of the plastic waste crisis and a special focus for Plastic Free July.

The masterful design of the two-liter plastic soda bottle
#plastics

"Is plastic-free packaging always the most sustainable option?"
#Plastic #Plastics #Sustainability

"This fuel is 50% plastic — and it’s slipping through a loophole in international waste law"
#Plastic #Plastics

This fuel is 50% plastic — and it’s slipping through a loophole in international waste law
Environmental groups are concerned that rich countries are exporting plastic to poor countries in the form of “refuse-derived fuel.”

"Plastic-Recycling Enzyme Discovered in Compost Heap Close to Commercialization Through German Startup"
#Plastic #Plastics #Germany

Plastic-Recycling Enzyme Discovered in Compost Heap Close to Commercialization Through German Startup
If successful, their 2030 plan will be four 350 cubic-meter reactors capable of processing 45,000 metric tons of PET plastic every year.

"Scientists turn plastic waste into pain medicine"
#Plastic #Plastics #Medicine

Scientists turn plastic waste into pain medicine
Researchers have devised a way to make a commonly used pain and fever reduction medication from plastic waste. Yes, you read that right. They used genetically engineered microbes to transform a molecule obtained from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic into paracetamol. Also known as acetaminophen, paracetamol is the active ingredient in widely available over-the-counter pain and […]

"New tech gives second life to plastic farm waste"
#Plastic #Plastics #Environment

New tech gives second life to plastic farm waste
In a study published in the journal Recycling, the research team analyzed the thermal, physical and mechanical properties of various plastic waste materials to determine the optimal temperature to process them using a groundbreaking, cost-efficient melting machine developed by partner company Ritchie Technology (Rtec).

Forgive the elevator pitch but the types of projects which really excite me have the potential for real world positive outcomes for people, community and environment.
Particularly those tackling the challenges of climate change and sustainability.
If you are looking for someone for your sustainability project, I have experience working on projects for WRAP and the Swedish EPA #ClimateChange #Plastics #Sustainability #Fedihired #lookingforwork

"Scientists in Japan Develop Non-Toxic Plastic That Dissolves in Seawater Within Hours"
#Japan #Plastic #Plastics

Scientists in Japan Develop Non-Toxic Plastic That Dissolves in Seawater Within Hours
Japanese scientists were thrilled to receive significant interest from the packaging industry over their new seawater-degradable plastic.

"Nearly 100 countries call for ambitious global treaty to end plastic pollution at UN ocean summit"
#UN #UnitedNations #Plastic

Nations issue ‘Nice Wake-Up Call’ on plastic pollution treaty
Countries have shown a united front for ambition after talks on a landmark plastic pollution treaty collapsed last year.

"A Seabird Chick With 778 Pieces of Plastic in Its Body Shows How Bad Marine Pollution Has Gotten"
#Birds #Plastic #Plastics

A Seabird Chick With 778 Pieces of Plastic in Its Body Shows How Bad Marine Pollution Has Gotten - Inside Climate News
A new analysis found that ingesting plastic can disrupt proteins that facilitate key functions in seabirds—the latest in a series of unsettling discoveries about marine plastic pollution.

"Environmental SOS: Rare birds crunch from bellies full of plastic"
#Birds #Plastic #Plastics

Environmental SOS: Rare birds crunch from bellies full of plastic
Birds on a remote Australian island are so full of plastic they crunch, British researchers report.

"Glass bottles found to contain more microplastics than plastic bottles"
#Glass #Microplastics #Plastic #Plastics

Glass bottles found to contain more microplastics than plastic bottles
Drinks including water, soda, beer and wine sold in glass bottles contain more microplastics than those in plastic bottles, according to a surprising study released by France's food safety agency Friday.

"UK MPs back global targets to reduce plastic production and pollution"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #Plastic #Plastics

"Microplastics and melting ice reveal deepening crisis in Antarctica"
#Antarctica #Microplastics #Plastic #Plastics

Microplastics and melting ice reveal deepening crisis in Antarctica
Glaciers melting rapidly, fields of moss expanding, water streaming off ice shelves once frozen solid: these are just a few of the impacts of climate change observed by a team of 57 researchers during a 70-day voyage around the Antarctic coast on the Russian icebreaker Akademik Tryoshnikov. The expedition also revealed the presence of microplastics […]

"Oil and plastic pollution from shipwreck raises concerns, legal scrutiny in India"
#India #Pollution #Plastic #Plastics

Oil and plastic pollution from shipwreck raises concerns, legal scrutiny in India
As shiny, pearl-like white plastic pellets rode wave after wave and piled up on the beaches of Thiruvananthapuram in India’s southern state of Kerala, local residents were first bemused, then baffled. Some, more enterprising than others, began collecting them in sacks with help from the local police — a first step in heading off what […]