Scientists have found that a caterpillar commercially bred for fishing bait has the ability to biodegrade polyethylene: one of the toughest and most used plastics, frequently found clogging up landfill sites in the form of ...
Plants & Animals
Apr 24, 2017
8
27367
A team of Japanese scientists has found a species of bacteria that eats the type of plastic found in most disposable water bottles.
Materials Science
Mar 11, 2016
20
9250
The plastic bag ban by the major supermarkets (and Coles' pivot away from its ban after backlash, then pivot back to the ban after a backlash to the backlash) has left plenty of people scratching their heads.
Environment
Aug 6, 2018
0
28
Plastics are everywhere in our daily lives, but not all plastics are created equal—far from it.
Polymers
Apr 26, 2023
1
656
Only 5% to 6% of the 46 million tons of plastic waste generated annually in the U.S. gets recycled, a big dip from the last estimate of nearly 9% just a few years ago, according to a new study by two environmental groups ...
Environment
May 5, 2022
0
43
(Phys.org) -- The term ethylene (ethene) generally brings to mind polyethylene plastics, not fruit. However, ethylene is more than just a feedstock for chemical industry, it is also the smallest plant hormone, and it controls ...
Analytical Chemistry
May 19, 2012
6
2
Plastic is well-known for sticking around in the environment for years without breaking down, contributing significantly to litter and landfills. But scientists have now discovered that bacteria from the guts of a worm known ...
Materials Science
Dec 3, 2014
1
1
More than one third of the total plastic production in Europe—about 14 million tonnes per year—are polyolefins, also known as polyalkenes. This is a family of polymers used for the manufacture of a variety of products, ...
Materials Science
Jun 14, 2013
3
1
A bamboo toothbrush deconstructed: bamboo handle, paper packaging box, plant-based nylon bristles and plant-based wrapper. It also comes with disposal instructions.
Environment
Nov 12, 2019
0
85
On March 1, New York State instituted its plastic bag ban, joining seven other states in an attempt to lessen litter, garbage in landfills, ocean pollution, and harm to marine life. March 1 was also the day that New York ...
Environment
May 1, 2020
1
30
