Tag: plastic

Bamboo’s Second Life as an Alternative to Plastic

by Boˆreal

It might sound like a humble material for the job, but bamboo — that fast-growing, hollow grass known more for scaffolding and pandas — could soon help solve one of humanity’s most stubborn problems: plastic pollution. In a study published in Nature Communications, researchers from Northeast Forestry University in Harbin have transformed bamboo fibres into … Continue reading Bamboo’s Second Life as an Alternative to Plastic

Forest Soils Trap Microplastics from the Air

by Boˆreal

Microplastics — tiny fragments of plastic less than a millimeter across — are now firmly embedded in one of the least disturbed ecosystems in Europe: forests. A new study by researchers at the Technical University of Darmstadt finds that forest soils in central Germany are accumulating significant amounts of these particles, largely through the simple … Continue reading Forest Soils Trap Microplastics from the Air

Plastic Pellets at Sea: Understanding a Hidden Threat to Oceans

by Boˆreal

When vast swathes of plastic debris wash up on beaches, the world takes notice. Less visible, but no less serious, are the millions of plastic pellets — tiny raw-material beads used to manufacture everyday products — that spill into the ocean during transport. A recent study from Heerlen in Limburg [50.9°N, 6.0°E] takes a deep … Continue reading Plastic Pellets at Sea: Understanding a Hidden Threat to Oceans

A New Class of Recyclable, Antimicrobial Plastics For Reducing Waste

by Boˆreal

Electronic waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world, driven by short product lifespans and rapid upgrades. LCD screens — used in phones, laptops, TVs, medical monitors, public information displays, and industrial sensors — contain polymers that are difficult to recycle, leading to landfilling or incineration. A new study develops a clever … Continue reading A New Class of Recyclable, Antimicrobial Plastics For Reducing Waste