#PlasticWaste is an active hashtag on Bluesky. In the last 30 days, 26 people shared 46 posts with it — around 2 a day. Activity is down 47% versus the previous week, peaking on Sep 11 with 4 posts.
Tags most often used together with #PlasticWaste.
www.theguardian.com
Rising microplastics in soil a threat to UK food security, MPs and campaigners say
Report calls for legally binding targets to cut microplastic pollution as soil ‘is a complex living ecosystem’
www.theguardian.com
Just 9.5% of plastic made in 2022 used recycled material, study shows
Global research reveals most of 400m tonnes produced using fossil fuels, predominantly coal or oil
www.theguardian.com
Microplastics hinder plant photosynthesis, study finds, threatening millions with starvation
Researchers say problem could increase number of people at risk of starvation by 400m in next two decades
phys.org
Guts of endangered Indus River dolphins found to be inundated with microplastics
Microplastics are a growing problem worldwide. They disrupt ecosystems and contribute to adverse effects, like metabolic disorders, neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and developmental toxicity in the bod...
www.scientificamerican.com
Why Aren’t We Losing Our Minds Over the Plastic in Our Brains?
New research on microplastics in brains reminds us that while scientists compile safety data, our leaders should still act
phys.org
Airborne microplastics: Where do they come from, where do they go?
How tiny plastic particles enter the atmosphere is an important question, as airborne microplastics are a potential health threat. Using a global chemical transport model, researchers have provided ev...
www.theguardian.com
First evidence of microplastic buildup in bird lungs found in new study
Researchers describe widespread contamination of plastics in the bodies of more than 50 different bird species
phys.org
Plastic pollution plague blights Asia
Kulsum Beghum sorts waste at a landfill in Dhaka. Her blood contains 650 microplastic particles per milliliter, according to an analysis funded by a waste pickers' union.
www.thetimes.com
Shops claim ‘grocery tax’ will add £70 to food bills
Supermarkets say the levy on packaging, meant to boost recycling, will increase costs as it hits at the same time as national insurance and minimum wage rises
www.theguardian.com
International talks on curbing plastic pollution fail to reach agreement
Chair of talks in Busan says progress has been made but ‘a few critical issues’ are unresolved
en.killbait.com
Scientists Develop Simple Method to Convert Plastic Waste into Fuel Using Molten Salts
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a novel process that transforms polyethylene plastic waste into gasoline and diesel-like fuels using inexpensive aluminum-based molten salts. The method, which operates under relatively mild conditions (below 200 degrees Celsius), breaks down long plastic molecules into smaller hydrocarbons without requiring noble-metal catalysts, organic solvents, or external hydrogen. The process achieves a gasoline yield of approximately 60% and represents a significant advancement over traditional pyrolysis methods that typically require temperatures of 450-500 degrees Celsius. The research team, led by Sheng Dai and Liqi Qiu, utilized advanced analytical techniques including soft X-ray spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and neutron scattering to understand the chemical mechanisms involved. They discovered that aluminum-based catalytic sites create highly acidic conditions that split polyethylene chains into smaller fuel molecules. The technology has been patented and published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. The researchers note that while the aluminum-based system is cost-effective and chemically active, it has a limitation: the material is hygroscopic (absorbs water), which can reduce stability. Future work will focus on improving salt stability through confinement methods using halogens or carbon-based materials. This innovation could contribute to U.S. energy security and industrial competitiveness by providing a new pathway for converting plastic waste into valuable transportation fuels. The research was supported by the DOE Office of Science and utilized several DOE user facilities, including the Spallation Neutron Source and the Advanced Light Source.
www.vinetur.com
UK drinks companies must prepare now for a 20p deposit return scheme
The plan starts in October 2027 for plastic bottles, metal cans, with Wales set to run separate rules on glass.
fairfuturefoundation.org
Plastic Waste Education in East Sumba
Teach plastic waste education through clear, child-level messages in a rural East Sumba school, linking safer habits, new clean water access and community prevention for children and families.
en.killbait.com
NASA-Backed Researchers Develop Protein-Rich Cookies from Plastic Waste and Agricultural Byproducts
Scientists at Southern Illinois University (SIU) Carbondale, supported by NASA, have engineered yeast to convert PET plastic and agricultural waste into protein-rich, 3D-printed cookies known as µBites. This innovative approach, developed partly for NASA's Deep Space Food Challenge, aims to address both plastic pollution and food insecurity while providing sustenance in extreme environments such as space missions. The process involves breaking down plastic and agricultural waste using a proprietary technique called oxidative hydrothermal dissolution, which combines water and oxygen under high temperature and pressure. The resulting compounds are then fed to genetically engineered yeast, which transforms them into proteins, fats, vitamins, and flavorings. These ingredients are combined with fiber, starch, and sweeteners to create µBites, which are currently being evaluated for safety and taste. Researchers note that the cookies could be particularly valuable in resource-limited settings like submarines, disaster zones, and future lunar or Martian colonies. The technology also has potential to contribute to addressing global food demand, which is expected to rise 35-56% by 2050, with about 30% of the world population at risk of hunger. The research was funded by NASA's Deep Space Food Challenge and a National Science Foundation CAREER grant. While the team is working to make the cookies more appealing for everyday consumption, they emphasize that the primary goal is to create a sustainable solution for waste management and food production in challenging environments.
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