Waste and pollution
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Somali militant group announces ban on single-use plastic bags
The terror group Al-Shabaab has banned single-use plastic bags in areas of Somalia under its control, arguing that the waste is bad for the environment.
Industry comes together at Erema Discovery Days 2018
More than 1.000 guests invited by Erema made their way to Ansfelden, Austria, for the Discovery Days 2018 from 27 to 29 June. Well-known companies from the plastics sector, such as Borealis, Engel, Greiner, Haidlmair and Henkel gave participants an insight into their view of working with plastics in a sustainable way.
New EU rules to reduce marine litter
Marine Litter continues to dominate the media, now the European Commission is responding to the discussion. To tackle the plastic waste in the oceans and seas, the Commision proposes new regulations for the reduction of plastic waste.
TOMRA supports all-female ocean plastic science research mission
TOMRA will support eXXpedition’s North Pacific 2018 sailing voyage focusing on microplastic pollution and links to environmental and human health (June 23rd - July 28th).
Next phase of Project STOP Ocean Plastics announced in Indonesia
Borealis committed to helping to solve the problem of ocean plastic.
China's plastic trash ban is spur to recycle
China’s crackdown on imports of plastic trash should be a signal for rich nations to increase recycling and cut down on non-essential products such as plastic drinking straws, the head of the U.N Environment Programme said on Monday.
Rheticus - Siemens and Evonik new research collaboration
Evonik and Siemens are planning to use electricity from renewable sources and bacteria to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into specialty chemicals.
McDonald's to eliminate foam packaging
McDonald's to eliminate foam packaging from their global system by the end of 2018.
10-th anniversary of "Water for the World" programme
Borealis and Borouge celebrate the tenth anniversary of their Water for the World programme, having helped 800,000 people to access clean water and sanitation.
Oxo degradable plastic packaging is not a solution to plastics pollution?
Oxo-degradable plastics are being produced and sold in many countries, with society being led to believe they safely biodegrade in nature. Yet significant evidence suggests oxo-degradable plastics do not safely biodegrade but fragment into small pieces, contributing to microplastics pollution.
Recycled film quality negatively affected by degradable plastics from Southern Europe
Even very low quantities of degradable plastics that end up in the traditional plastic waste streams have a significant, negative impact on recycled plastics.
Biodegradable mulch films supported in revision of EU Fertilisers Regulation
13 July 2017, the European Parliament’s Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) adopted its report amending the European Commission's proposal for a revision of the Fertilisers Regulation.
Lanxess expands range of membranes for reverse osmosis
Specialty chemicals company LANXESS is expanding its range of membrane elements for reverse osmosis (RO).
Can today’s unrecyclables become tomorrow's resources?
Axion Polymers suggests that labelling some plastic waste products as ‘unrecyclable’ risks losing the opportunities to recover these raw materials in the future.
The Netherlands take clear anti-litter actions
Waste Free Oceans welcomes The Netherland’s decision to keep a reverse vending scheme in place.
Fashion show at NPE2015 reflects zero waste strategy
Stylish and unique garments and accessories designed by students of the Savannah College of Art and Design will be made of recycled and reused plastics.
"Energy Bag" Pilot Program for plastic waste
Dow co-sponsored the program which demonstrated, that plastics that are not easily recyclable can be converted into synthetic crude oil for fuel.
Cooperation for circular economy
Four EU recycling industries are committing to work together and pursue the common goal of promoting circular economy.
Recyclers support new EP resolution on plastics waste
Plastics Recyclers Europe welcomed the decision of the Members of the European Parliament.
China's operation reorganizes plastic waste import
"Green Fence" operation has significantly limited plastic waste import to China.
Plastic waste to protect from flooding
Mixed plastic waste will be used to produce flood barriers.
Governor of Illinois vetoes “plastic bag” bill
Governor of Illinois Pat Quinn vetoed a bill which would have removed the right of home rule communities to implement innovative solutions to the plastic bag litter problem.
Plastics Producer SABIC Agrees to Reduce Harmful Air Pollution
SABIC Innovative Plastics US LLC, and its subsidiary, SABIC Innovative Plastics Mt. Vernon LLC, have agreed to pay an approximately $1 million civil penalty and improve leak detection and repair practices to settle alleged violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) at chemical manufacturing facilities in Mt. Vernon, Ind., and Burkville, Ala.
Coca-Cola uses Olympic torch relay to take recycling message across Britain
Coca-Cola is running a major recycling campaign over the next 10 weeks as part of its role on the Olympic Torch Relay.
Commission proposes strategy for sustainable bioeconomy in Europe
The European Commission has adopted a strategy to shift the European economy towards greater and more sustainable use of renewable resources.
Taiwanese flexo print concern took a breath of fresh air
Finland-based Ehovoc will deliver a VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) treatment plant to a Taiwanese flexo print concern in January 2012, with an option for the delivery of another incineration plant later on.
Polyflow Named A Finalist for the NorTech Innovation Awards
Polyflow LLC, an Akron Ohio based advanced energy producer has been named a finalist by the regional economic development organization NorTech for a 2012 Innovation Award.
More plastics diverted from landfill
According to PlasticsEurope, thanks to continuous improvement in plastics end-of-life management options and a growing public awareness, the amount of plastics ending up in landfills is constantly decreasing despite an increase of 2.5% in post-consumer plastic waste in 2010 (last year analyzed by PlasticsEurope).
Global plastics industry launches action plan for solutions on marine litter
Plastics industry leaders from across the world met this week in Dubai to create a global action plan for solutions on marine litter.
U.S. Marines denounced the War on Trash
Marines at Camp Smith, Hawaii together with the Office of Naval Research (ONR) are testing a high-tech trash disposal system that can reduce a standard 50-gallon bag of waste to a half-pint jar of harmless ash.
Coca-Cola aims to recycle all clear plastic waste at London 2012
Coca Cola has announced plans to collect all clear PET plastic bottles at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and recycle them into 80 million new plastic bottles.
Packaging waste declining rapidly
A new report on the analysis of official EU data on packaging shows that over the past 11 years the amount of packaging waste going to final disposal in EU-15 has fallen by 43%.
Waste Free Oceans
Waste Free Oceans held its first public conference in the presence of politicians, NGOs and industry representatives. The aim of this meeting was to promote initiatives which tackle the growing problem of marine litter and to raise awareness on the issue.
Erema customers count on ecoSAVE and the environment
Thanks to the high-quality processing of plastic waste, people who use Erema plastic recycling systems have already been able to make a valuable contribution to sustainability.
New patents for bioplastics technology
Trellis Earth Products, an American rapidly running manufacturer of branded biodegradable food packaging and plastic bags has submitted two new patents to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The files cover high Performance Hybrid Bioplastic and 100% Petroleum-Free Resin From Agricultural By-Products.