Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed an innovative chemical process that could revolutionize plastic recycling by effectively “vaporizing” common plastic waste, such as bags and bottles, into hydrocarbon building blocks. This new process works on polyethylene and polypropylene, the primary components of most consumer plastics, including single-use bags and rigid containers. The breakthrough allows these plastics, often seen as challenging to recycle, to be broken down into their monomers, which can then be reused to create new polymers. This advancement marks a significant step towards a circular economy, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels for producing virgin plastics and addressing the vast amounts of plastic waste that end up in landfills and oceans.

The key to this process is the replacement of costly, fragile metal catalysts with more robust, affordable ones that are already widely used in the chemical industry. Previously, the process was limited by the instability and expense of the catalysts, which hindered scalability. Now, with the use of solid catalysts like sodium on alumina and tungsten oxide on silica, the process can be scaled up through continuous flow systems that are capable of handling large volumes of plastic waste. This development not only makes the recycling process more efficient and economically viable but also holds the potential to drastically reduce the environmental impact of plastics, which are projected to remain a significant waste challenge for decades to come.

Azure Printed Homes, based in Los Angeles, is revolutionizing the housing industry by repurposing plastic waste into 3D-printed prefab residences. Co-founded by Ross Maguire and Gene Eidelman, the company’s modular prefabs are constructed using approximately 150,000 recycled plastic bottles per module. These eco-friendly structures are around 200 square feet in size and can be 3D-printed within a remarkably short timeframe of just 24 hours. Ross Maguire, with his background in construction and engineering, emphasizes the sustainability aspect of their venture, highlighting the positive environmental impact of repurposing plastic waste.

One of Azure’s notable achievements is the delivery and installation of a unit in Big Sur, a remote site with breathtaking views of the rugged coastline. Despite the challenges posed by the isolated location, the team successfully completed the project within 48 hours. The customer, the owner of a serene glamping vacation resort, was drawn to Azure’s circular approach to creating living spaces, showcasing the appeal of sustainable construction methods. Azure’s commitment to sustainability is reflected not only in their innovative use of recycled materials but also in the flexibility of their designs, offering customers the option to include solar panels and batteries for off-grid living. The company’s base model, the N-100, starts at $19,900 and includes all interior and exterior finishes, lighting, and power, making it a ready-to-furnish, environmentally conscious housing solution with a swift manufacturing and installation process.

The plastic dump is one of the biggest environmental threats our planet faces, and sometimes extreme decisions need to be taken to end bad practices.

Spain is taking an essential step in reducing plastic waste by banning plastic wrap for fruits and vegetables. The new laws will go into effect at the beginning of 2023, as the Ministry of Ecological Transition is still working on the first drafts. As plastic packaging is one of the most widespread plastic waste, the revolution starts by banning the most commonly used items.

In many countries plastic straws and cutleries have also been banned, forcing both restaurants and food delivery services to not offer them for free anymore.
A recent study showed that in Spain, plastic packaging amounts to 1.6 million tonnes of the yearly plastic waste, and not even half of it gets recycled.
Spain is now following in the footsteps of France, as the country will ban plastic waste as well, starting with 2022.
These initiatives are much needed and highly encouraged, and hopefully, such best practices will have a spillover effect on other countries too.

Plastic waste is one of the biggest threats the Planet is facing, and recycling it can help reduce the ongoing hoarding of waste.
A Kenyan materials engineer has come up with a smart plan to recycle plastic and transform it into durable construction materials.
Nzambi Matee, is the founder of Gjenge Makers, which is a sustainable business that converts plastic waste into materials used for construction. Matee uses this material in her projects and makes colorful bricks that are even more harsh than concrete. Her invention received a lot of attention and praise since she first announced it, and even the United Nations contacted her.
Matee worked on a system through which she converts high and low-density polyethylene and polypropylene plastics into bricks. So all the waste which has been accumulating on the outskirts of Nairobi, Matee’s hometown, is now being recycled into a new and useful form.
The plastic collected is shredded and mixed with sand, then heated to form this new material which resembles bricks.
The biggest advantage is the material created by Matee has an affordable price of &7.70 per square meter, and the factory producing is active since 2017.
Matee’s invention has also won her the Young Champions of Earth prize, awarded by the United Nations.

Recycled plastic bits to be mixed with sand.

Humans are the most wasteful species of this planet, as we tend to accumulate a lot of things in our lifetime, which will end up in the dumpster once something new or exciting comes along the way.
We already know that plastic waste is causing big trouble for the environment, but now animal lovers started to raise awareness about another issue: balloons released in the atmosphere. It might seem like a harmless activity, but these released balloons can end up ingested by birds, turtles or dolphins and they can even get tangled up in them.

The biggest danger comes from the fact, that wildlife can get confused about these colorful items and perceive balloons as food. These released balloons can get tangled in trees and electrical cords and once they deflate, the wind will take them to several places.
They can end up back on Earth, fall into our oceans and can be left abandoned in forests.
The consequences of this are obvious, as deflated balloons pose a real danger to wildlife and can cause sudden death if ingested.

Thanks to Balloons Blow, an organization that tries to educate people about these issues, there is a greater awareness about the environmental consequences of released balloons and people are starting to act.

They explains:
“All released balloons, including those falsely marketed as “biodegradable latex,” return to Earth as ugly litter. They kill countless animals and cause dangerous power outages.

Balloons are also a waste of Helium, a finite resource. Balloons can travel thousands of miles and pollute the most remote and pristine places.

Once they do, they become a danger to any animal that comes in contact with it.”

So spread the word, so everyone can learn more about the amazing work they are doing.