The%20Chvaletice%20Manganese%20Project%20in%20the%20Czech%20Republic%20will%20put%20historic%20mining%20waste%20towards%20Europe%E2%80%99s%20e-mobility%20future%2C%20producing%20an%20essential%20raw%20material%20for%20electric%20vehicle%20batteries%2C%20at%20the%20same%20time%20as%20it%20cleans%20up%20a%20longstanding%20source%20of%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Fhot-spots%2Fsewage%2Fall%22%3Ewater%20pollution%3C%2Fa%3E.%0A%0AEmbracing%20battery-powered%20vehicles%20is%20one%20step%20forward%20in%20addressing%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Flist%2FNGO%2Fclimate%2Fall%22%3Eclimate%20change%3C%2Fa%3E.%20Equally%20important%20in%20fulfilling%20the%20promise%20of%20the%20EV%20revolution%20is%20that%20the%20raw%20materials%20that%20go%20into%20EV%20batteries%20must%20themselves%20be%20green.%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20essential%20elements%20of%20most%20EV%20batteries%20is%20high%20purity%20manganese.%20And%2C%20although%20manganese%20is%20a%20mineral%20produced%20in%20abundance%20for%20applications%20in%20all%20kinds%20of%20industries%2C%20battery-grade%20manganese%20is%20challenging%20to%20produce%20and%20is%20in%20increasingly%20short%20supply%20in%20the%20face%20of%20growing%20demand%20from%20battery%20makers.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EDemand-driven%20by%20industry%20growth%3C%2Fh2%3E%0ADemand%20for%20high%20purity%20manganese%20products%20continues%20to%20increase%20rapidly%20worldwide%2C%20driven%20by%20the%20overall%20growth%20of%20EV%20sales%20and%20the%20required%20lithium-ion%20batteries%2C%20as%20well%20as%20the%20increased%20use%20of%20manganese%20in%20each%20battery.%20In%20the%20second%20half%20of%202020%20and%20the%20first%20three%20quarters%20of%202021%2C%20four%20major%20EV%20manufacturers%20%E2%80%94%20Tesla%2C%20Volkswagen%2C%20Stellantis%20and%20Renault%20%E2%80%94%20made%20public%20commitments%20to%20high%20manganese%20content-based%20batteries%20for%20their%20mass-market%20vehicles%20going%20forward%2C%20causing%20a%20major%20upward%20revision%20of%20the%20demand%20projection%20forecasts%20for%20high%20purity%20manganese.%0A%0AIn%20the%20third%20quarter%20of%202021%2C%20industry%20analysts%20Cairn%20ERA%20and%20CPM%20Group%20updated%20their%20forecasts%20of%20total%20rechargeable%20lithium-ion%20battery%20demand%20and%20high%20purity%20manganese%20demand%2C%20which%20is%20now%20expected%20to%20grow%20from%2037%2C000%20tonnes%20in%202020%20to%20more%20than%20900%2C000%20tonnes%20in%202030.%20To%20satisfy%20this%20demand%2C%20the%20global%20production%20of%20high%20purity%20manganese%20products%20needs%20to%20grow%20more%20than%20tenfold%20in%20just%20ten%20years.%20This%20is%20creating%20a%20growing%20forecast%20deficit%20gap%20between%20projected%20supply%20and%20demand.%0A%0AMost%20European%20automakers%20are%20committed%20to%20using%20manganese%20in%20their%20batteries.%20Secure%20supply%20chains%20and%20ESG%20compliant%20%20sources%20of%20raw%20materials%20are%20extremely%20important%20to%20them.%20As%20the%20EU%20accelerates%20its%20green%20transition%20and%20promotes%20investment%20in%20the%20electrification%20of%20mobility%2C%20the%20OEMs%20are%20looking%20for%20locally%20sourced%20raw%20materials%20produced%20by%20environmentally%20and%20socially%20responsible%20suppliers.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20waste-to%20value%20recycling%20initiative%20in%20the%20heart%20of%20Europe%3C%2Fh2%3E%0AEuro%20Manganese%20is%20working%20to%20develop%20the%20Chvaletice%20Manganese%20Project%2C%20located%20in%20the%20heart%20of%20Europe%2C%20about%2090km%20East%20of%20Prague%20in%20the%20Czech%20Republic.%20The%20Chvaletice%20resource%20consists%20of%20large%20deposits%20of%20waste%20material%20(tailings)%20from%20a%20decommissioned%20mine%20that%20operated%20between%201951%20and%201975%20in%20the%20former%20Czechoslovakia.%20Its%20output%20had%20been%20used%20to%20produce%20sulphuric%20acid%20for%20steelmaking%2C%20and%20large%20deposits%20of%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Flist%2FNGO%2Fwaste%2FCzech%2520Republic%22%3Ewaste%20material%3C%2Fa%3E%20had%20accumulated%20over%20the%20life%20of%20the%20mine.%20These%20mine%20tailings%20contain%20a%20relatively%20high%20proportion%20of%20manganese%20carbonate%2C%20an%20ideal%20raw%20material%20for%20making%20high%20purity%20manganese%2C%20an%20essential%20component%20of%20lithium-ion%20batteries.%0A%0AChvaletice%20is%20not%20a%20mining%20project.%20It%20is%20a%20waste-to-value%20recycling%20initiative%20that%20will%20remediate%20a%20longstanding%20source%20of%20water%20pollution%20by%20cleaning%20up%20the%20old%20tailings%20site.%20For%20decades%2C%20the%20tailings%20have%20leached%20toxic%20chemicals%20into%20the%20groundwater%20and%20nearby%20river.%20At%20the%20same%20time%20as%20the%20project%20develops%20a%20valuable%20resource%2C%20it%20will%20also%20improve%20the%20local%20environment.%0A%0AThe%20Chvaletice%20resource%20consists%20of%20a%20fine%2C%20sandy%20material%20that%20can%20be%20easily%20excavated.%20The%20tailings%20will%20be%20made%20into%20a%20slurry%20and%20fed%20into%20a%20processing%20plant%2C%20which%20will%20use%20magnetic%20separation%2C%20leaching%20and%20electrolysis%20to%20produce%20high%20purity%20manganese%20metal%20flakes%20(HPEMM).%20After%20removing%20most%20of%20the%20manganese%20in%20the%20extraction%20process%2C%20the%20reprocessed%20tailings%20will%20be%20washed%20of%20residual%20reagents%20and%20dissolved%20metals%2C%20neutralised%20and%20then%20dry-stacked%20on%20an%20impermeable%20liner%20before%20capping%20and%20revegetation%20for%20productive%20community%20use.%0A%0ATwo-thirds%20of%20the%20metal%20produced%20will%20be%20converted%20into%20high%20purity%20manganese%20sulphate%20monohydrate%20(HPMSM).%20Both%20HPEMM%20and%20HPMSM%20are%20raw%20materials%20used%20by%20lithium-ion%20cathode%20producers%20and%20other%20applications%20requiring%20high%20purity%20manganese.%20Having%20two%20commercial%20products%20will%20give%20Euro%20Manganese%20greater%20market%20flexibility.%20The%20company%20will%20be%20ready%20to%20supply%20raw%20materials%20to%20serve%20the%20emerging%20Metal-to-Cathode-Active-Materials%20(M2CAM)%20battery%20technologies.%0A%0AThe%20Chvaletice%20Manganese%20Project%20has%20the%20capacity%20to%20produce%20high%20purity%20manganese%20products%20for%2025%20years.%20It%20stands%20to%20become%20Europe%E2%80%99s%20only%20local%2C%20primary%20producer%20of%20high%20purity%20manganese%20products.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EESG%20factors%20are%20a%20clear%20differentiator%3C%2Fh2%3E%0AThe%20project%20has%20been%20designed%20from%20the%20ground%20up%20with%20ESG%20principles%20and%20practices%20in%20mind.%20The%20environmental%20and%20social%20benefits%20of%20the%20project%20are%20a%20crucial%20differentiator%20for%20Euro%20Manganese%20as%20the%20company%20works%20to%20become%20an%20essential%20part%20of%20the%20EU%E2%80%99s%20local%20battery%20supply%20chain.%0A%0AAs%20manganese%20is%20extracted%20from%20the%20historic%20mine%20tailings%2C%20the%20site%20will%20be%20brought%20into%20compliance%20with%20current%2C%20stringent%20Czech%20and%20European%20Union%20environmental%20standards%20and%20regulations.%20The%20extraction%20process%20is%20designed%20to%20be%20powered%20by%20renewable%20energy%20sources%2C%20and%20the%20project%20plans%20to%20recycle%20CO2%20and%20hydrogen%20by-product%20streams.%20Unlike%20other%20sources%20of%20high%20purity%20manganese%2C%20the%20plant%20and%20resource%20are%20at%20the%20same%20location%2C%20reducing%20transportation%20costs%20and%20enhancing%20the%20project%E2%80%99s%20already%20low%20carbon%20footprint.%0A%0ACommunity%20engagement%20is%20a%20key%20part%20of%20the%20project.%20Since%202015%2C%20during%20the%20evaluation%20and%20planning%20phase%2C%20Euro%20Manganese%E2%80%99s%20wholly-owned%20Czech%20subsidiary%2C%20Mangan%20Chvaletice%20s.r.o.%2C%20has%20proactively%20and%20widely%20engaged%20with%20local%20authorities%20and%20community%20members.%20The%20company%20has%20benefited%20from%20their%20valuable%20feedback%20to%20refine%20and%20improve%20the%20project%20design%20and%20development%20plan%2C%20with%20the%20goal%20of%20successfully%20integrating%20it%20into%20the%20local%20environment%20and%20life%20of%20the%20community.%20The%20commercial%20development%20of%20the%20Chvaletice%20resource%20is%20expected%20to%20create%20approximately%20400%20full-time%20jobs%20drawn%20from%20the%20local%20region%2C%20numerous%20commercial%20opportunities%20for%20Czech%20businesses%2C%20and%20royalty%20revenues%20for%20the%20Czech%20State%20and%20local%20municipalities.%0A%0AGreen%2C%20local%20sources%20of%20battery%20materials%20are%20of%20growing%20importance%20to%20industry%20and%20government%0AIt%20is%20challenging%20from%20an%20economic%2C%20environmental%20and%20purity%20point%20of%20view%20to%20produce%20battery-grade%20manganese%20products%2C%20and%20many%20deposits%20around%20the%20world%20face%20significant%20challenges%20in%20achieving%20all%20three%20of%20these%20objectives.%20The%20current%20market%20for%20battery-grade%20manganese%20products%20is%20dominated%20by%20suppliers%20outside%20the%20EU%2C%20most%20significantly%20China%2C%20which%20currently%20has%20an%2080%25%20market%20share%20in%20the%20global%20industry.%20China%20imports%20most%20of%20its%20manganese%20ore%2C%20mainly%20from%20Africa.%0A%0AIn%20recent%20years%20there%20has%20been%20a%20growing%20understanding%20among%20governments%2C%20both%20in%20the%20Czech%20Republic%20and%20the%20EU%2C%20that%20interruptions%20in%20supply%20or%20shortages%20of%20essential%20battery%20raw%20materials%20would%20be%20highly%20disruptive%20to%20the%20European%20auto%20industry.%0A%0AEU%20support%20for%20developing%20a%20European%20EV%20and%20battery%20supply%20chain%20has%20been%20accelerating%2C%20backed%20by%20a%20policy%20framework%20designed%20to%20make%20Europe%20more%20economically%20resilient.%20The%20EU%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%98Fit%20for%2055%E2%80%99%20legislative%20package%20sets%20the%20stage%20for%20profound%20transformation.%20In%20the%20future%2C%20the%20EU%20will%20allow%20only%20the%20greenest%20batteries%2C%20made%20with%20the%20greenest%20raw%20materials%2C%20to%20be%20sold%20in%20Europe.%20In%20February%20of%202022%2C%20the%20EU%20ramped%20up%20its%20efforts%20with%20sweeping%20new%20initiatives%20to%20secure%20European%20sources%20of%20sustainable%20raw%20materials.%0A%0AAs%20a%20new%2C%20green%20battery%20supply%20chain%20with%20mandatory%20green%20procurement%20is%20established%20%E2%80%94%20including%20responsible%20sourcing%20and%20minimum%20levels%20of%20recycled%20content%20%E2%80%93%20non-European%20suppliers%20of%20battery%20raw%20materials%20will%20have%20to%20comply%2C%20which%20will%20level%20the%20competitive%20playing%20field.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ESecuring%20support%20from%20EU-backed%20bodies%3C%2Fh2%3E%0AEU-backed%20organisations%20such%20as%20EIT%20Raw%20Materials%2C%20the%20European%20Battery%20Alliance%2C%20and%20the%20European%20Raw%20Materials%20Alliance%20have%20diligently%20worked%20to%20increase%20public%20and%20private%20investment%20in%20EU-based%20projects%20and%20strengthen%20upstream%20industry%20competitiveness.%20For%20example%2C%20in%20early%202021%2C%20Euro%20Manganese%20secured%20the%20support%20of%20EIT%20InnoEnergy%2C%20an%20arm%20of%20the%20EU-backed%20European%20Institute%20of%20Innovation%20and%20Technology%20(EIT).%20EIT%20InnoEnergy%20is%20facilitating%20the%20company%20to%20secure%20customer%20offtake%20agreements%20and%20financing%20for%20the%20full-scale%20commercial%20development%20of%20the%20Chvaletice%20Manganese%20Project.%0A%0AA%20recent%20investment%20in%20Euro%20Manganese%20by%20the%20European%20Bank%20for%20Reconstruction%20and%20Development%20(EBRD)%2C%20is%20further%20evidence%20of%20this%20trend.%20The%20company%E2%80%99s%20best-in-class%20ESG%20standards%20were%20validated%20by%20the%20EBRD%20during%20its%20investment%20due%20diligence.%20The%20bank%E2%80%99s%20investment%20is%20a%20clear%20affirmation%20that%20the%20Chvaletice%20Manganese%20Project%20is%20important%20for%20establishing%20a%20strong%2C%20sustainable%20European%20electric%20vehicle%20battery%20supply%20chain%20to%20support%20Europe%E2%80%99s%20accelerating%20transition%20to%20e-mobility.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EAn%20eventful%20year%3C%2Fh2%3E%0AThis%20year%20will%20be%20an%20eventful%20one%20for%20the%20Chvaletice%20Manganese%20Project.%20A%20demonstration%20plant%2C%20designed%20to%20produce%20large-scale%20product%20samples%20for%20prospective%20customers%2C%20will%20be%20installed%20at%20the%20plant%20site%2C%20with%20commissioning%20and%20start-up%20targeted%20for%20mid-2022.%20Concurrently%2C%20the%20company%20is%20working%20to%20complete%20the%20project%E2%80%99s%20definitive%20feasibility%20study%20and%20sign%20binding%20offtake%20agreements.%20The%20project%E2%80%99s%20permitting%20process%20has%20good%20momentum%2C%20with%20a%20Final%20Environmental%20and%20Social%20Impact%20Assessment%20targeted%20for%20submission%20in%20the%20third%20quarter.%0A%0ABy%20mid-2023%2C%20permitting%20and%20project%20financing%20are%20expected%20to%20be%20in%20place%2C%20leading%20to%20a%20final%20investment%20decision%20and%20the%20start%20of%20construction%20of%20the%20full%20commercial%20project.%20If%20all%20goes%20according%20to%20plan%2C%20by%202026%2C%20the%20Chvaletice%20Manganese%20Project%20will%20be%20an%20essential%20part%20of%20the%20EU%E2%80%99s%20new%20local%20battery%20supply%20chain%2C%20providing%20the%20EU%20with%20a%20green%2C%20local%2C%20long-term%20source%20of%20an%20essential%20battery%20raw%20material.

Euro Manganese is recycling yesterday's waste

A%20social%20enterprise%20is%20turning%20human%20waste%20into%20an%20alternative%20to%20coal%2C%20which%20can%20be%20used%20for%20anything%20from%20heating%20homes%20to%20cooking%20food.%0ASanivation%2C%20a%20company%20based%20100%20km%20from%20Kenya%E2%80%99s%20capital%20Nairobi%2C%20is%20finding%20the%20business%20of%20transforming%20unpleasant%20waste%20into%20fuel%20a%20profitable%20one.%0A%0AThe%20waste%20is%20treated%20at%20high%20temperatures%20to%20kill%20bacteria%2C%20before%20being%20mixed%20with%20sawdust%20and%20made%20into%20briquettes%2C%20traditionally%20compressed%20blocks%20of%20coal%20or%20other%20combustibles%20for%20helping%20to%20start%20a%20fire.%0A%0AWhile%20it%20was%20initially%20a%20hard%20sell%20for%20the%20company%2C%20Sanivation%E2%80%99s%20factory%20manager%20Paul%20Manda%20says%20some%20people%20now%20use%20the%20briquettes%20for%20barbecuing.%0A%0A%22Initially%2C%20it%20was%20very%20hard%20for%20us%20to%20scale-up%20as%20we%20used%20to%20make%20a%20home-based%20product.%20People%20used%20to%20think%20that%20it%20would%20be%20smelling%20a%20lot%20but%20that%20wasn't%20the%20case%20because%20we%20used%20to%20treat%20the%20poop%20very%20well%20to%20make%20the%20product%2C%20and%20people%20would%20even%20use%20it%20for%20barbecue%2C%22%20he%20said.%0A%0AHe%20added%20that%20the%20product%20was%20%E2%80%9Cpicked%20up%20in%20the%20market%20much%20quicker%E2%80%9D%20than%20expected%2C%20and%20the%20company%20is%20currently%20selling%20more%20than%20120%20tonnes%20as%20it%20tries%20to%20keep%20up%20with%20demand.%0A%0ABenefits%20of%20human%20waste%20fuel%0A%0AThere%20are%20environmental%20benefits%20to%20creating%20this%20kind%20of%20fuel.%0A%0A%22The%20use%20of%20this%20fuel%20is%20very%20important%20to%20the%20environment%20in%20the%20fact%20that%20for%20each%20tonne%20that%20we%20are%20going%20to%20use%20we%20are%20saving%2033%20trees.%20Remember%20we%20are%20also%20taking%20a%20useless%20product%20that%20people%20used%20to%20just%20throw%20away%2C%20and%20maybe%20it%20was%20unsafely%20managed%2C%22%20said%20Manda.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20the%20Water.org%20charity%2C%2041%20per%20cent%20of%20Kenyans%20lack%20access%20to%20basic%20sanitation%20solutions.%0A%0AWHO%20and%20UNICEF%E2%80%99s%20joint%20water%20programme%20estimates%208.5%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20population%20there%20practiced%20open%20defecation%20in%202020.%0A%0ASanivation%20initially%20targeted%20households%20as%20potential%20customers%2C%20but%20switched%20to%20supplying%20factories%20and%20businesses.%0A%0AOne%20of%20those%20is%20the%20Larmona%20flower%20farm%2C%20which%20cooks%20food%20on%20site%20for%20their%20employees%20and%20used%20to%20use%20charcoal%20and%20firewood.%0A%0AThe%20briquettes%20are%20cheaper%2C%20and%20manager%20Mary%20Wangui%20says%20there%20are%20further%20benefits.%0A%0AShe%20says%20the%20smoke%20from%20the%20briquettes%20has%20less%20effect%20on%20employees%2C%20and%20even%20the%20cooking%20pots%20last%20longer%20being%20cooked%20over%20this%20fuel.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAlso%20if%20you%20compare%20from%20the%20normal%20charcoal%20and%20from%20briquettes%2C%20the%20heat%20from%20the%20briquettes%20lasts%20longer%2C%20which%20means%20we%20use%20less%20compared%20to%20what%20we%20used%20to%20use%20there%20earlier%2C%22%20she%20added.%0A%0ALess%20carbon%20emissions%0A%0AAccording%20to%20Kenya%20Forest%20Service%2C%20charcoal%20provides%2082%20percent%20of%20the%20urban%20population%20and%2034%20percent%20of%20rural%20households%20with%20energy.%0A%0A%22The%20briquettes%20are%20a%20good%20alternative%20to%20charcoal%20and%20wood%20and%20especially%20they%20are%20made%20from%20mostly%20waste%20material%20so%20they%20reduce%20on%20the%20trees%20that%20are%20being%20cut%2C%22%20explains%20Nickson%20Otieno%2C%20a%20sustainability%20expert%20and%20CEO%20at%20Niko%20Green.%0A%0A%22Number%20two%2C%20if%20well%20made%2C%20they%20burn%20efficiently%20so%20they%20release%20less%20emissions%20of%20bad%20air%20(carbon).%20So%20that%20has%20a%20very%20good%20health%20impact%20but%20also%20environmental%20impact%20compared%20to%20how%20the%20charcoal%20or%20the%20wood%20burns.%20Which%20is%20not%20efficient%22.%0A%0AThrough%20the%20initiative%2C%20the%20company%20has%20been%20able%20to%20create%20jobs%2C%20as%20well%20as%20convince%20established%20organisations%20to%20opt%20for%20an%20environmentally%20friendly%20source%20of%20energy.

Turning human waste into an alternative to coal

An%20ambitious%20draft%20bill%20to%20cut%20food%20waste%20has%20been%20approved%20by%20the%20Spanish%20government.%20All%20companies%20involved%20in%20the%20production%20and%20supply%20of%20food%20must%20plan%20to%20reduce%20waste%20or%20they%20could%20face%20fines%20of%20up%20to%20%E2%82%AC60%2C000%20-%20and%20up%20to%20%E2%82%AC500%2C000%20for%20repeat%20offenders.%0A%0AThe%20government%20is%20aiming%20to%20massively%20reduce%20the%201%2C300%20tonnes%20of%20food%20wasted%20every%20year%20in%20Spain%20-%2031kg%20per%20person%20according%20to%20data%20from%202020.%0A%0ANearly%201%20billion%20tonnes%20of%20food%20is%20wasted%20each%20year%20around%20the%20world%2C%20according%20to%20a%20recent%20report%20from%20the%20UN.%20This%20would%20fill%20enough%2040-tonne%20trucks%20to%20circle%20the%20globe%20seven%20times.%0A%0AAfter%20analysing%20data%20from%2054%20different%20countries%2C%20every%20single%20one%20was%20found%20to%20have%20a%20substantial%20food%20waste%20problem%2C%20regardless%20of%20their%20national%20income.%0A%0ANow%20Spain%20is%20hoping%20to%20play%20its%20part%20in%20tackling%20this%20global%20issue.%0A%0AHow%20does%20Spain%20plan%20to%20cut%20down%20on%20food%20waste%3F%0A%0ALuis%20Planas%2C%20Spain%E2%80%99s%20Agricultural%2C%20Fisheries%20and%20Food%20Minister%20says%20that%20the%20%E2%80%9Cpioneering%E2%80%9D%20new%20bill%20will%20raise%20citizens%E2%80%99%20awareness%20of%20the%20%E2%80%9Ceconomic%2C%20social%2C%20environmental%20and%20ethical%20consequences%E2%80%9D%20of%20food%20waste.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CEthical%20because%2C%20in%20a%20world%20where%20hunger%20and%20malnutrition%20unfortunately%20still%20exist%2C%20this%20issue%20is%20obviously%20a%20matter%20of%20conscience%20for%20all%20of%20us%2C%22%20he%20explains.%0A%0APlanas%20added%20that%20the%20law%20addresses%20all%20elements%20of%20the%20food%20chain%2C%20from%20harvesting%20all%20the%20way%20through%20to%20restaurants%2C%20supermarkets%20and%20individuals.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIn%20the%20catering%20sector%2C%20in%20bars%20and%20restaurants%2C%20all%20citizens%20should%20have%20the%20free%20right%20to%20take%20back%20any%20leftovers%20that%20have%20not%20been%20consumed%20and%20can%20therefore%20be%20consumed%20at%20a%20later%20date.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThis%20means%20free%20doggy%20bags%20that%20customers%20can%20take%20home%20with%20them%20if%20they%20don%E2%80%99t%20manage%20to%20finish%20their%20meal%20-%20a%20practice%20that%20isn%E2%80%99t%20currently%20common%20in%20Spain.%0A%0AAlso%20included%20in%20the%20bill%20are%20measures%20that%20will%20force%20supermarkets%20and%20restaurants%20to%20work%20with%20local%20organisations%20like%20food%20banks.%20Bigger%20businesses%20will%20also%20have%20to%20submit%20plans%20for%20donating%20food%20before%20it%20passes%20its%20best%20before%20date%2C%20as%20a%20priority.%0A%0AWhen%20items%20are%20no%20longer%20safe%20for%20human%20consumption%2C%20the%20government%20has%20said%20they%20should%20first%20be%20used%20for%20animal%20feed%20and%20then%20for%20other%20industries%20such%20as%20the%20production%20of%20biofuels.%0A%0AFor%20individual%20citizens%2C%20the%20government%20has%20acknowledged%20that%20much%20of%20the%20problem%20occurs%20in%20homes.%20Across%20the%20EU%2C%2053%20per%20cent%20of%20all%20food%20waste%20is%20thought%20to%20happen%20at%20the%20consumer%20level.%0A%0AInstead%20of%20fines%2C%20however%2C%20Spain%20is%20relying%20on%20educational%20campaigns%20to%20change%20domestic%20behaviour.%0A%0AIs%20this%20the%20most%20ambitious%20food%20waste%20law%20in%20Europe%3F%0A%0AThe%20only%20other%20countries%20in%20the%20EU%20that%20currently%20have%20similar%20regulations%20to%20reduce%20food%20waste%20are%20France%20and%20Italy.%0A%0AIn%202016%20France%20became%20the%20first%20country%20in%20the%20world%20to%20ban%20supermarkets%20from%20throwing%20away%20or%20destroying%20unsold%20food.%20Over%20the%20years%20more%20regulations%20around%20waste%20have%20been%20added%2C%20including%20similar%20bills%20to%20those%20coming%20into%20place%20in%20Spain.%20France%20also%20aims%20to%20reduce%20food%20waste%20by%2050%20per%20cent%20by%202025.%0A%0AItaly%20has%20also%20introduced%20requirements%20for%20companies%20at%20each%20step%20of%20the%20food%20supply%20chain%20to%20reduce%20waste.%20It%20too%20has%20a%20strong%20focus%20on%20donating%20or%20distributing%20unsold%20products%2C%20incentivising%20companies%20to%20take%20part%20with%20tax%20breaks%20rather%20than%20fines.%0A%0ANow%20Spain%E2%80%99s%20draft%20bill%20has%20been%20adopted%20by%20the%20government%2C%20it%20will%20need%20to%20be%20approved%20by%20parliament.%20If%20successful%2C%20the%20new%20law%20could%20be%20in%20place%20by%20early%202023.

Spain fights food waste with supermarket fines

Cheshire%20West%20and%20Chester%20Council%20have%20approved%20plans%20for%20a%20new%20Plastic%20Park%20which%20will%20aim%20to%20recycle%20367%2C500%20tonnes%20of%20plastic%20every%20year.%20Cheshire%20West%20and%20Chester%20Council%20have%20given%20the%20green%20light%20for%20the%20development%20of%20a%20new%20%C2%A3165m%20Plastic%20Park%20in%20Cheshire%2C%20which%20aims%20to%20recycle%20over%20350%2C000%20tonnes%20of%20plastic%20annually%20and%20help%20slash%20carbon%20emissions%20on%20the%20road%20to%20net%20zero.%0A%0AThe%20plans%20for%20the%20UK's%20first%20Plastic%20Park%20were%20submitted%20by%20Peel%20NRE%2C%20an%20environmentally%20focused%20division%20of%20development%20firm%20Peel%20L%26P%2C%20for%20a%20site%20at%20Protos%20-%20the%20strategic%20energy%20and%20resource%20hub%20near%20Ellesmere%20Port%2C%20Cheshire.%20As%20such%2C%20the%20facility%20could%20potentially%20link%20into%20the%20carbon%20capture%20infrastructure%20planned%20for%20the%20region.%0A%0AThe%20companies%20said%20the%20Plastic%20Park%20is%20set%20to%20feature%20innovative%20processing%20and%20treatment%20technologies%20to%20recycle%20up%20to%20367%2C500%20tonnes%20of%20mixed%20recyclables%20and%20plastic%20every%20year.%20The%20plans%20also%20include%20a%20hydrogen%20refueling%20station.%0A%0A%22It's%20imperative%20we%20deliver%20creative%20solutions%20to%20the%20UK's%20plastic%20problem%2C%22%20said%20Richard%20Barker%2C%20development%20director%20at%20Peel%20NRE.%20%22This%20project%20clusters%20recycling%20technologies%20in%20one%20place%20so%20that%20we%20can%20make%20the%20most%20of%20a%20whole%20range%20of%20plastic%20materials%20arriving%20on%20site%2C%20avoiding%20the%20need%20to%20ship%20them%20to%20different%20facilities%20around%20the%20region.%20It'll%20mean%20we%20can%20cut%20down%20on%20vehicle%20movements%2C%20create%20147%20new%20jobs%20and%20deliver%20essential%20infrastructure%20to%20underpin%20a%20North%20West%20circular%20economy%20that's%20much%20more%20sustainable.%22%0A%0AHe%20added%20that%20the%20Protos%20site%20had%20been%20planned%20%22as%20a%20holistic%20destination%20to%20support%20the%20UK%20on%20the%20road%20to%20net%20zero%22.%20%22With%20the%20recently%20announced%20Protos%20CO2%20network%2C%20linking%20to%20the%20proposed%20regional%20carbon%20capture%20infrastructure%2C%20the%20Plastic%20Park%20is%20just%20another%20example%20of%20forward-thinking%20development%20that%20responds%20to%20the%20dual-challenge%20of%20reducing%20our%20waste%20sent%20to%20landfill%2C%20whilst%20cutting%20carbon%20emissions%2C%22%20he%20explained.%0A%0AThe%20new%20facilities%20are%20expected%20to%20operate%20a%20number%20of%20innovative%20recycling%20technologies%20on%20site%2C%20including%20a%20Materials%20Recycling%20Facility%20(MRF)%2C%20which%20will%20separate%20dry%20and%20mixed%20recycling%20such%20as%20glass%2C%20paper%2C%20cans%20and%20card%2C%20and%20two%20Plastics%20Recycling%20Facilities%20that%20will%20organise%20mixed%20plastics%20and%20pre-sorted%20plastics.%0A%0AThe%20site%20will%20also%20boast%20a%20Polymer%20Laminate%20Recycling%20Facility%2C%20where%20harder%20to%20recycle%20plastics%20such%20as%20crisp%20packets%20and%20baby%20food%20pouches%20will%20be%20heated%20and%20broken%20down%20into%20oil%20to%20be%20re-used%20in%20the%20manufacturing%20industry.%0A%0AThe%20application%20is%20the%20latest%20in%20a%20run%20of%20planning%20consents%20at%20the%20Protos%20site.%20It%20follows%20previous%20approvals%20for%20other%20facilities%20at%20the%20Plastic%20Park%2C%20including%20the%20UK's%20first%20waste%20Plastic%20to%20Hydrogen%20facility%20and%20a%20PET%20recycling%20plant%20that%20will%20take%20food%20and%20beverage%20packaging%2C%20such%20as%20plastic%20bottles%2C%20and%20recycle%20them%20for%20use%20in%20making%20new%20packaging%20products.%0A%0AThe%20plans%20for%20this%20new%20facility%20form%20part%20of%20the%20North%20West's%20wider%20initiatives%20to%20become%20the%20first%20net%20zero%20region%20by%202040.

Green light for UK's first plastic recycling park

Queens%2C%20New%20York%20will%20soon%20have%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20largest%20composting%20program.%20Starting%20October%203%2C%202.2%20million%20New%20Yorkers%20will%20automatically%20have%20weekly%20pickup%20service%20for%20yard%20debris%2C%20food%20scraps%20and%20food-soiled%20paper%20products.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20launch%20makes%20New%20York%20City%20home%20to%20the%20largest%20curbside%20composting%20program%20in%20the%20country%20and%20will%20help%20Queens%20residents%20easily%20get%20rid%20of%20yard%20waste%2C%20food%20scraps%20and%20food-soiled%20paper%20products%20in%20an%20environmentally%20conscious%20way%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20New%20York%20City%20Mayor%20Eric%20Adams%20in%20a%20statement.%20%E2%80%9CThere%E2%80%99s%20no%20sign-up%20required%2C%20and%20all%20that%20Queens%20residents%20need%20to%20do%20it%20put%20out%20their%20waste%20in%20a%20separate%20bag%20or%20bin.%20This%20is%20how%20we%20%E2%80%98Get%20Stuff%20Done%E2%80%99%20for%20our%20city.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AQueens%20was%20chosen%20for%20the%20new%20service%20because%20some%20of%20its%20neighborhoods%20are%20historically%20underserved%20and%20have%20unfairly%20borne%20the%20consequences%20of%20environmental%20injustice%2C%20according%20to%20the%20mayor%E2%80%99s%20office.%20Residents%20can%20really%20take%20advantage%20of%20the%20yard%20debris%20pickup%2C%20as%20Queens%20is%20New%20York%E2%80%99s%20leafiest%20bureau%2C%20with%2041%25%20of%20the%20city%E2%80%99s%20street%20trees.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CMayor%20Adams%20tasked%20us%20with%20developing%20a%20new%20program%20that%20would%20be%20effective%2C%20affordable%20and%20equitable%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20New%20York%20City%20Department%20of%20Sanitation%20Commissioner%20Jessica%20Tisch.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20looked%20at%20what%20had%20worked%20in%20the%20past%2C%20as%20well%20as%20what%20hadn%E2%80%99t%2C%20and%20developed%20a%20smart%2C%20innovative%20solution%20that%20is%20going%20to%20be%20easier%20for%20the%20people%20of%20New%20York%20City%2C%20harder%20for%20rats%2C%20and%20better%20for%20the%20planet.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AMany%20American%20cities%20have%20experimented%20with%20ways%20to%20persuade%2C%20entice%20or%20force%20residents%20to%20compost%2C%20rather%20than%20add%20food%20waste%20to%20landfills.%20Rotten%20food%20in%20landfills%20is%20a%20significant%20source%20of%20methane%2C%20which%20can%20be%2021%20times%20as%20bad%20for%20global%20warming%20as%20carbon%20dioxide.%20Throwing%20food%20waste%20in%20with%20yard%20debris%20and%20having%20it%20removed%20weekly%20is%20one%20of%20the%20easiest%20ways%20for%20citizens%20to%20help%20combat%20climate%20change.%20Let%E2%80%99s%20hope%20the%20program%20catches%20on%2C%20and%20that%20more%20cities%20will%20follow%20New%20York%E2%80%99s%20lead.

New York to have largest composting program in USA

The%20next%20generation%20of%20wind%20turbine%20blades%20could%20be%20recycled%20into%20gummy%20bears%20at%20the%20end%20of%20their%20service%2C%20scientists%20have%20said.%20Researchers%20at%20Michigan%20State%20University%20have%20made%20a%20composite%20resin%20for%20the%20blades%20by%20combining%20glass%20fibres%20with%20a%20plant-derived%20polymer%20and%20a%20synthetic%20one.%20Once%20the%20blades%20have%20reached%20the%20end%20of%20their%20lifespan%20the%20materials%20can%20be%20broken%20down%20and%20recycled%20to%20make%20new%20products%20including%20turbine%20blades%20%E2%80%93%20and%20chewy%20sweets.%0A%0AWind%20power%20is%20one%20of%20the%20dominant%20forms%20of%20renewable%20energy.%20However%2C%20turbine%20blades%2C%20usually%20made%20of%20fibreglass%2C%20can%20be%20as%20long%20as%20half%20a%20football%20field%20and%20cause%20problems%20with%20disposal%2C%20with%20many%20discarded%20in%20landfills%20when%20they%20reach%20the%20end%20of%20their%20use%20cycle.%0A%0ATo%20combat%20the%20waste%2C%20researchers%20designed%20a%20new%20form%20of%20resin.%20Digesting%20the%20resin%20in%20an%20alkaline%20solution%20produced%20potassium%20lactate%2C%20which%20can%20be%20purified%20and%20made%20into%20sweets%20and%20sports%20drinks.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20recovered%20food-grade%20potassium%20lactate%20and%20used%20it%20to%20make%20gummy%20bear%20candies%2C%20which%20I%20ate%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20John%20Dorgan%2C%20one%20of%20the%20authors%20of%20the%20paper.%0A%0AThe%20alkaline%20digestion%20also%20released%20poly(methyl%20methacrylate)%2C%20or%20PMMA%2C%20a%20common%20acrylic%20material%20used%20in%20windows%20and%20car%20taillights.%0A%0AOn%20eating%20gummy%20bears%20that%20are%20derived%20from%20a%20wind%20turbine%2C%20Dorgan%20says%20%E2%80%9Ca%20carbon%20atom%20derived%20from%20a%20plant%2C%20like%20corn%20or%20grass%2C%20is%20no%20different%20from%20a%20carbon%20atom%20that%20came%20from%20a%20fossil%20fuel.%20It%E2%80%99s%20all%20part%20of%20the%20global%20carbon%20cycle%2C%20and%20we%E2%80%99ve%20shown%20that%20we%20can%20go%20from%20biomass%20in%20the%20field%20to%20durable%20plastic%20materials%20and%20back%20to%20foodstuffs.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AHe%20added%3A%20%E2%80%9CThe%20beauty%20of%20our%20resin%20system%20is%20that%20at%20the%20end%20of%20its%20use%20cycle%2C%20we%20can%20dissolve%20it%2C%20and%20that%20releases%20it%20from%20whatever%20matrix%20it%E2%80%99s%20in%20so%20that%20it%20can%20be%20used%20over%20and%20over%20again%20in%20an%20infinite%20loop.%20That%E2%80%99s%20the%20goal%20of%20the%20circular%20economy.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AResearchers%20will%20present%20their%20results%20on%20Tuesday%20at%20a%20meeting%20of%20the%20American%20Chemical%20Society.%20They%20plan%20to%20make%20some%20blades%20for%20field%20testing.

Wind Turbine Blades Could Be Recycled Into Gummy

According%20to%20Israeli-based%20materials%20development%20company%2C%20UBQ%20Materials%20Ltd.%2C%20%E2%80%9CTwo%20billion%20tons%20of%20household%20waste%20are%20generated%20each%20year%2C%20and%20this%20number%20is%20expected%20to%20double%20by%202050.%E2%80%9D%20Post-consumer%20waste%20is%20a%20massive%20environmental%20issue.%20The%20company%20is%20presenting%20a%20solution%20for%20that%20problem%20with%20the%20development%20of%20a%20system%20that%20converts%20household%20waste%20into%20a%20widely-usable%20manufacturing%20product.%0A%0AThe%20bio-based%20material%0AThe%20world%E2%80%99s%20first%20bio-based%20thermoplastic%2C%20UQB%2C%20is%20rolling%20off%20the%20production%20line%20and%20in%20queue%20for%20use%20by%20companies%20in%20a%20wide%20variety%20of%20industries.%20UBQ%20is%20made%20from%20household%20waste%20that%20would%20otherwise%20be%20trucked%20to%20the%20landfill.%20Instead%2C%20all%20combined%20waste%20such%20as%20food%2C%20plastic%2C%20packaging%2C%20paper%2C%20and%20even%20diapers%20are%20commingled%20and%20destined%20for%20the%20UBQ%20plant.%20Once%20they%20reach%20the%20plant%2C%20they%20are%20broken%20down%20into%20their%20natural%20components%20such%20as%20sugars%2C%20fibers%20and%20cellulose.%20They%E2%80%99re%20then%20reconstituted%20as%20bio-based%20pellets%20that%20look%20and%20function%20like%20petroleum-based%20plastics.%20%0A%0AHowever%2C%20unlike%20plastic%2C%20UBQ%20materials%20offer%20a%20host%20of%20benefits.%20For%20starters%2C%20since%20the%20process%20diverts%20garbage%20from%20landfills%2C%20it%20means%20no%20soil%20leaching%20or%20emissions%20from%20incineration.%20There%E2%80%99s%20no%20off-gassing%20either.%20%0A%0AThis%20endlessly%20renewable%20material%2C%20made%20from%20plant%2C%20animal%2C%20marine%2C%20or%20forestry%20feedstocks%2C%20is%20100%25%20renewable%20and%20replaces%20the%20need%20for%20non-renewable%20petroleum-based%20products.%20As%20a%20full-cycle%20product%2C%20UBQ%20is%20cost-effective%20for%20businesses%2C%20consistently%20available%20and%20provides%20jobs.%0A%0ACertifications%20for%20UBQ%20Materials%0AUBQ%20has%20earned%20a%20long%20list%20of%20certifications%2C%20starting%20with%20the%20label%20of%20a%20USDA%20Certified%20Biobased%20product.%20This%20means%20most%20of%20the%20material%20is%20bio-based%20and%20ensures%20a%20high%20rate%20of%20organic%20matter%20in%20relation%20to%20the%20number%20of%20mixed%20plastics%20and%20other%20waste.%20For%20the%20consumer%2C%20it%20offers%20a%20way%20of%20shopping%20that%20verifies%20materials%20made%20from%20renewable%20resources%20as%20third-party%20verified%20through%20the%20USDA%20BioPreferred%20Program.%0A%0AUBQ%20Materials%20is%20also%20a%20Certified%20B%20Corp%20since%202018.%20The%20company%20was%20named%20Best%20for%20the%20World%20for%20the%20environment%20the%20following%20year%2C%20a%20title%20only%20earned%20by%20the%20top%2010%25%20of%20B%20Corps%20in%20each%20category.%0A%0AUBQ%20also%20consistently%20reviews%20the%20updated%20Proposition%2065%E2%80%99s%20(Safe%20Drinking%20Water%20and%20Toxic%20Enforcement%20Act%20of%201986)%20list%20of%20chemicals%20as%20outlined%20by%20the%20state%20of%20California.%20To%20date%2C%20the%20list%20of%20likely%20dangerous%20chemicals%20has%20grown%20to%20around%20900.%20According%20to%20their%20website%2C%20%E2%80%9CUBQ%20Materials%20declares%20that%20the%20UBQ%20material%20does%20not%20trigger%20labeling%20requirements.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AUBQ%20Materials%20also%20certifies%20that%20the%20product%20does%20not%20contain%20any%20of%20the%20219%20Substances%20of%20Very%20High%20Concern.%20For%20partners%2C%20customers%2C%20or%20investors%20who%20want%20to%20better%20understand%20the%20product%E2%80%99s%20life%20cycle%20and%20any%20potential%20impacts%2C%20UBQ%20readily%20provides%20the%20Life%20Cycle%20Assessment.%20This%20third-party%20report%20by%20consulting%20firm%20Quantis%20reviews%20the%20process%20from%20raw%20material%20extraction%20to%20materials%20processing%2C%20manufacturing%2C%20distribution%20and%20use.%20With%20all%20these%20factors%20considered%2C%20the%20final%20grade%20is%20a%20%E2%80%9Cclimate-positive%20environmental%20footprint%20of%20the%20UBQ%20material%E2%80%9D.%0A%0ACommitment%20to%20the%20environment%0AUBQ%20is%20committed%20to%20reaching%20carbon%20neutrality%20before%202030%20and%20provides%20frequent%20and%20realistic%20interim%20goals%20as%20it%20works%20towards%20that%20mission.%20The%20company%20sees%20it%20as%20its%20obligation%2C%20not%20only%20for%20the%20environment%20and%20as%20a%20role%20model%20for%20other%20companies%2C%20but%20as%20a%20responsibility%20of%20monitoring%20the%20impact%20on%20%E2%80%9Cshareholders%2C%20employees%2C%20suppliers%2C%20customers%20and%20the%20communities%20in%20which%20we%20operate%E2%80%9D.%0A%0ADiverting%20household%20waste%20from%20landfills%20prevents%20the%20emission%20of%20methane%2C%20reducing%20greenhouse%20emissions.%20The%20company%20claims%2C%20%E2%80%9CEvery%20ton%20of%20UBQ%20produced%20prevents%2011.7%20tons%20of%20CO2eq%20from%20polluting%20our%20planet%E2%80%9D%20and%20says%2C%20%E2%80%9CLife%20Cycle%20Assessment%20auditors%20Quantis%20designated%20UBQ%20as%20%E2%80%98The%20Most%20Climate%20Positive%20Thermoplastic%20Material%20on%20the%20Market.%E2%80%99%E2%80%9D%0A%0AIn%20the%20end%2C%20converting%20waste%20to%20material%20means%20reducing%20garbage%2C%20providing%20an%20alternative%20to%20the%20damaging%20aspects%20of%20landfills%2C%20and%20reducing%20pollution.%20Plus%2C%20it%20provides%20a%20renewable%20material%20that%20can%20be%20used%20across%20a%20variety%20of%20industries%20around%20the%20world.%20Additionally%2C%20it%20results%20in%20fewer%20virgin%20materials%20being%20produced.%0A%0AUBQ%20in%20action%0AOne%20example%20of%20a%20company%20adopting%20the%20material%20is%20the%20massive%20PepsiCo%2C%20the%20parent%20company%20of%20around%2023%20popular%20food%20and%20beverage%20brands.%20The%20company%2C%20as%20part%20of%20its%20sustainability%20rebranding%2C%20has%20publicly%20pushed%20its%20PepsiCo%20Positive%20(pep%2B)%20strategy%2C%20which%20outlines%20steps%20it%20can%20make%20to%20inspire%20positive%20change%20for%20employees%20and%20the%20environment%2C%20including%20a%20commitment%20to%20become%20net%20zero%20by%202040.%20%0A%0AThe%20company%20has%20a%20long%20way%20to%20go.%20As%20we%20reported%20in%202020%20here%2C%20PepsiCo%20was%20among%20the%20top%20three%20plastic%20polluters%20in%20the%20world.%20From%20a%20marketing%20standpoint%2C%20it%20has%20little%20choice%20but%20to%20at%20least%20look%20like%20it%E2%80%99s%20making%20an%20effort%20to%20reduce%20plastic%20use%20and%20waste.%20However%2C%20steps%20have%20been%20gradual%20and%20mostly%20unnotable.%20The%20recent%20partnership%20with%20UBQ%20promises%20to%20incorporate%20830%20ecological%20pallets%20into%20two%20of%20the%20company%E2%80%99s%20logistics%20centers.%0A%0AIt%E2%80%99s%20a%20move%20UBQ%20and%20PepsiCo%20report%2C%20%E2%80%9CIn%20this%20initial%20project%20alone%2C%20the%20material%20implementation%20saves%20the%20equivalent%20of%20more%20than%206%2C500%20kg%20of%20GHG%20emissions%20%E2%80%93%20the%20equivalent%20of%20the%20annual%20carbon%20sequestration%20of%20534%20trees.%20More%20than%20739%20kg%20of%20mixed%20waste%20will%20be%20redirected%20from%20landfills%20and%20looped%20back%20into%20the%20material%20as%20a%20valuable%20resource.%20The%20pallets%20are%20developed%20by%20PepsiCo%E2%80%99s%20partner%20Ecoboxes%20Embalagens%20Pl%C3%A1sticas%2C%20which%20specializes%20in%20solutions%20focused%20on%20sustainability%20and%20circular%20economy.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AMore%20recently%2C%20PepsiCo%20further%20expanded%20the%20use%20of%20the%20UBQ%20Material%20for%20eco-friendly%20Lay%E2%80%99s%20display%20stands%20across%20Europe.%20The%20company%20has%20also%20committed%20to%20expanding%20the%20pallet%20program%2C%20placing%20an%20order%20for%2030%2C000%20more.

Converting house waste into bio-based products

City%20officials%20of%20the%20Philippines%E2%80%99%20second%20most%20populous%20metropolis%20have%20signed%20a%20joint%20venture%20with%20local%20incinerator%20company%20New%20Sky%20Energy%2C%20Inc%20(NSEI)%20for%20a%20waste-to-energy%20facility%20to%20be%20built%20by%202025.%0A%0AUnder%20the%20agreement%20inked%20last%20Thursday%2C%20NSEI%20will%20invest%20close%20to%20US%2482%20million%20to%20construct%20the%20incinerator%2C%20and%20in%20return%2C%20city%20mayor%20Mike%20Rama%20consented%20to%20use%20the%20facility%20and%20pay%20a%20tipping%20fee%20higher%20than%20the%20current%20base%20fees%20being%20paid%20for%20using%20landfills.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIncinerators%20disguised%20as%20waste-to-energy%20facilities%20remain%20deleterious%20to%20health%20as%20they%20still%20emit%20toxic%20pollutants%20such%20as%20dioxin%2C%20lead%2C%20and%20mercury%20into%20the%20environment.%20The%20trade-off%20will%20always%20be%20unjust%20and%20inhumane%20since%20the%20health%20of%20citizens%20living%20near%20the%20proposed%20incinerator%20facility%20will%20be%20sacrificed%2C%20particularly%20children%2C%20the%20elderly%20and%20other%20vulnerable%20members%20of%20the%20community%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Paeng%20Lopez%2C%20programme%20manager%20of%20the%20Health%20Care%20Without%20Harm.%0A%0AThe%20city%E2%80%99s%20daily%20collection%20of%20garbage%20is%20about%20600%20metric%20tonnes%2C%20equivalent%20to%2030%20garbage%20trucks.%20But%20the%20project%20can%20convert%20up%20to%20800%20metric%20tonnes%20of%20municipal%20solid%20waste%20into%20160%20million%20kilowatts%20of%20electricity%2C%20enough%20to%20power%2040%2C000%20households%20per%20year%2C%20said%20city%20councillor%20Joel%20Garganera%2C%20chairman%20of%20the%20committee%20on%20environment.%20%0A%0AGarganera%20argued%20that%20there%20is%20no%20total%20ban%20on%20incineration%20in%20local%20laws%2C%20contrary%20to%20what%20environmentalists%20are%20protesting%2C%20saying%20the%20only%20incineration%20that%20is%20banned%20in%20the%20Clean%20Air%20Act%20is%20that%20which%20produces%20%E2%80%9Cpoisonous%20and%20toxic%20fumes.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20New%20Sky%20WTE%20will%20not%20be%20emitting%20poisonous%20and%20toxic%20fumes%2C%20and%20will%20remain%20compliant%20at%20all%20times%20with%20the%20Clean%20Air%20Act%20and%20other%20environmental%20laws%20in%20the%20country%2C%E2%80%9D%20Garganera%20told%20Eco-Business.%0A%0AHe%20added%20that%20the%20WTE%20technology%20also%20passed%20the%20standards%20of%20the%20Department%20of%20Science%20and%20Technology%20(DOST)%20which%20he%20said%20met%20the%20limits%20and%20measures%20set%20by%20local%20laws.%0A%0AMeanwhile%2C%20Froilan%20Grate%2C%20executive%20director%20of%20anti-waste%20burning%20group%20Global%20Alliance%20for%20Incinerator%20Alternatives%20(GAIA)%20Philippines%2C%20debunked%20Garganera%E2%80%99s%20claim%20on%20the%20amount%20of%20electricity%20that%20the%20facility%20can%20provide%20for%20households.%0A%0AHe%20said%20operators%20of%20incinerators%20in%20Japan%20admit%20that%20despite%20the%20high%20rate%20of%20incineration%20in%20metro%20Tokyo%2C%20it%20has%20failed%20to%20produce%20a%20significant%20amount%20of%20energy%20needed%20by%20the%20city%2C%20making%20it%20%E2%80%9Cconcerning%E2%80%9D%20that%20the%20Cebu%20CIty%20officials%20have%20based%20their%20decision%20on%20the%20energy%20potential%20of%20the%20project.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20committed%20tipping%20fee%2C%20and%20the%20possible%20commitment%20of%20waste%20volume%20and%20pay%20schemes%20will%20result%20in%20taxpayers%20in%20Cebu%20paying%20for%20the%20price%20of%20this%20wrong%20decision%2C%20now%20and%20in%20the%20years%20to%20come.%20This%20is%20on%20top%20of%20the%20price%20they%20have%20to%20pay%20on%20their%20health%20and%20the%20negative%20impact%20to%20the%20environment%2C%20as%20well%20as%20to%20the%20livelihood%20of%20waste%20workers%20and%20recyclers%20in%20the%20city%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20added.

Philippines approves first largest WTE plante

Three%20separate%20leaks%20on%20Russia%E2%80%99s%20controversial%20Nord%20Stream%201%20and%202%20gas%20pipelines%20%E2%80%94%20which%20run%20from%20Russia%20to%20Germany%20beneath%20the%20Baltic%20Sea%20%E2%80%94%20have%20led%20to%20speculations%20of%20sabotage.%20The%20gas%20transport%20pipelines%20lie%20at%20the%20center%20of%20the%20energy%20deadlock%20between%20Europe%20and%20Russia.%0A%0ADanish%20energy%20authorities%20said%20two%20leaks%20had%20been%20found%20in%20the%20Nord%20Stream%201%20pipeline%20northeast%20of%20the%20Danish%20island%20of%20Bornholm%2C%20with%20a%20third%20leak%20in%20the%20Nord%20Stream%202%20pipeline%20southeast%20of%20the%20island%2C%20in%20Swedish%20waters%2C%20reported%20The%20Guardian.%0A%0AA%20shipping%20exclusion%20zone%20has%20been%20established%20around%20Bornholm%2C%20and%20flights%20below%20about%203%2C200%20feet%20have%20been%20prohibited.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CBreakage%20of%20gas%20pipelines%20is%20extremely%20rare%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Danish%20authorities%2C%20as%20The%20Guardian%20reported.%20%E2%80%9CTherefore%20we%20see%20reason%20to%20raise%20the%20preparedness%20level%20as%20a%20result%20of%20the%20incidents%20we%20have%20seen%20over%20the%20past%2024%20hours.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThough%20neither%20of%20the%20pipelines%20had%20been%20active%2C%20they%20were%20full%20of%20natural%20gas%20when%20a%20sharp%20drop%20in%20pressure%20was%20detected%20in%20first%20Nord%20Stream%201%2C%20then%20in%20the%20second%20pipeline.%0A%0AThe%20operation%20of%20Nord%20Stream%201%20was%20shut%20down%20at%20the%20beginning%20of%20last%20month%20by%20Russia%2C%20who%20said%20the%20pipeline%20needed%20repairs.%20The%20operation%20of%20Nord%20Stream%202%20was%20canceled%20by%20German%20Chancellor%20Olaf%20Scholz%20just%20before%20Russia%20invaded%20Ukraine.%0A%0ASpeaking%20at%20the%20launch%20of%20another%20undersea%20pipeline%20running%20between%20Poland%20and%20Norway%20through%20Denmark%2C%20Poland%E2%80%99s%20Prime%20Minister%20Mateusz%20Morawiecki%20blamed%20the%20leaks%20on%20Russia%2C%20reported%20The%20New%20York%20Times.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20do%20not%20know%20the%20details%20of%20what%20happened%20yet%2C%20but%20we%20can%20clearly%20see%20that%20it%20is%20an%20act%20of%20sabotage%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Morawiecki%2C%20as%20The%20New%20York%20Times%20reported.%20%E2%80%9CAn%20act%20that%20probably%20marks%20the%20next%20stage%20in%20the%20escalation%20of%20this%20situation%20in%20Ukraine.%E2%80%9D%0A%0APrime%20Minister%20of%20Denmark%20Mette%20Frederiksen%20said%20it%20was%20hard%20to%20imagine%20that%20three%20individual%20leaks%20happening%20almost%20at%20once%20was%20an%20accident%2C%20reported%20The%20Guardian.%0A%0AOn%20Twitter%2C%20one%20of%20Ukraine%20President%20Volodymyr%20Zelensky%E2%80%99s%20senior%20advisers%20said%20the%20leaks%20were%20%E2%80%9Ca%20terrorist%20attack%20planned%20by%20Russia%20and%20an%20act%20of%20aggression%20towards%20EU.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20leaks%20were%20sizable%2C%20and%20Director%20General%20of%20the%20Danish%20Energy%20Agency%20Kristoffer%20Bottzauw%20said%20it%20could%20take%20as%20long%20as%20a%20week%20for%20gas%20to%20stop%20seeping%20out%20of%20Nord%20Stream%202%2C%20reported%20Reuters.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20sea%20surface%20is%20full%20of%20methane%2C%20which%20means%20there%20is%20an%20increased%20risk%20of%20explosions%20in%20the%20area%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Bottzauw%2C%20as%20Reuters%20reported.%0A%0AWhen%20asked%20by%20reporters%20if%20the%20damage%20to%20the%20pipelines%20had%20been%20the%20result%20of%20sabotage%2C%20spokesperson%20for%20the%20Kremlin%20Dmitry%20Peskov%20said%20no%20possibility%20could%20be%20eliminated%20at%20the%20moment%2C%20reported%20The%20Guardian.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20environmental%20NGOs%2C%20it%20is%20likely%20that%20the%20pipeline%20leaks%20will%20cause%20major%20harm%20to%20the%20environment.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAs%20soon%20as%20methane%20in%20gas%20form%20raises%20from%20the%20surface%20of%20the%20sea%20into%20the%20atmosphere%2C%20it%20will%20massively%20contribute%20to%20the%20greenhouse%20effect%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Sascha%20M%C3%BCller-Kraenner%20of%20Environmental%20Action%20Germany%2C%20as%20The%20Guardian%20reported.%0A%0A

Gas leaking in the Baltic Sea from Nord Stream 

Proposals%20have%20been%20submitted%20by%20a%20facility%20in%20Lerwick%2C%20Scotland%2C%20to%20turn%20dead%20fish%20into%20biodiesel.%20SEM%20Energy%20has%20successfully%20applied%20to%20vary%20its%20licence%20with%20the%20Scottish%20Environment%20Protection%20Agency%20(SEPA)%20for%20the%20project%2C%20the%20Shetland%20News%20has%20reported.%0AThe%20licence%20for%20the%20company%E2%80%99s%20existing%20facility%20at%20the%20Greenhead%20Base%20is%20for%20storing%20and%20processing%20dead%20fish%2C%20but%20the%20variation%20will%20allow%20staff%20to%20extract%20valuable%20resources%20from%20the%20waste.%0AIt%20is%20proposed%20that%20around%203%2C500%20tonnes%20of%20category%20two%20fish%20mortality%20waste%20would%20be%20received%20every%20year.%0ACreating%20sustainable%20by-products%2C%20the%20solids%20would%20be%20used%20for%20fertiliser%20production%2C%20and%20the%20resulting%20fish%20oil%20would%20go%20towards%20the%20production%20of%20biodiesel.%0AA%20spokesperson%20for%20SEM%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20engaged%20with%20a%20variety%20of%20stakeholders%20across%20the%20islands%20with%20the%20objective%20of%20achieving%20best%20available%20practice%2C%20and%20during%20this%20process%20to%20date%2C%20we%20aren%E2%80%99t%20aware%20of%20this%20type%20of%20process%20happening%20elsewhere%20in%20Shetland.%E2%80%9D%0AThere%20is%20said%20to%20be%20a%20growing%20demand%20for%20biodiesel%2C%20and%20SEM%20has%20received%20interest%20from%20industries%20such%20as%20agriculture%2C%20marine%2C%20power%20generation%20and%20transport.%0AHead%20of%20project%20delivery%20Gary%20Broadley%20said%20the%20project%20fits%20in%20with%20the%20company%E2%80%99s%20wider%20portfolio%20of%20services%2C%20%E2%80%9Cwhich%20are%20focused%20on%20reducing%20CO2%20emissions%2C%20repurposing%20waste%20and%20protecting%20our%20precious%20waters%E2%80%9D.%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20working%20with%20our%20partners%20in%20the%20aquaculture%20industry%20in%20Shetland%2C%20and%20beyond%2C%20as%20they%20seek%20to%20operate%20in%20a%20consistently%20ethical%20and%20environmentally%20responsible%20way%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20added.%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20support%20them%20to%20manage%20their%20waste%20streams%20in%20line%20with%20the%20twin%20aims%20of%20compliance%20and%20CO2%20reduction%2C%20but%20also%20with%20the%20potential%20to%20generate%20high-value%20by-products%20as%20part%20of%20the%20circular%20economy.%E2%80%9D

Scottish firm to turn dead fish into biodiesel

An%20Indian%20factory%20is%20recycling%20cigarette%20butts%20into%20stuffing%20for%20soft%20toys.%20An%20estimated%204.5%20trillion%20cigarette%20butts%20are%20littered%20worldwide%20each%20year%2C%2090%20per%20cent%20of%20which%20contain%20non-biodegradable%20plastic%20filters.%0A%0AReprocessing%20them%20into%20a%20range%20of%20products%2C%20including%20toys%20and%20pillows%2C%20is%20the%20brainchild%20of%20businessman%20Naman%20Gupta.%0A%0A%22We%20started%20with%2010%20grams%20(of%20fibre%20per%20day)%20and%20now%20we%20are%20doing%201%2C000%20kilograms...%20Annually%20we%20are%20able%20to%20recycle%20millions%20of%20cigarette%20butts%2C%22%20he%20says.%0A%0AAt%20his%20factory%20on%20the%20on%20the%20outskirts%20of%20New%20Delhi%2C%20an%20all-woman%20team%20manually%20separates%20the%20butts%20into%20fibre%2C%20paper%20and%20leftovers.%0A%0AThe%20paper%20is%20converted%20into%20a%20pulp%2C%20mixed%20with%20an%20organic%20binder%20and%20turned%20into%20burnable%20mosquito%20repellant.%0A%0AThe%20fibre%20is%20cleaned%20and%20bleached%20with%20organic%20chemicals%20that%20neutralise%20its%20toxins.%20The%20resulting%20white%20stuffing%20is%20used%20in%20soft%20toys%20and%20pillows.%0A%0AAt%20Gupta'sfactory%20on%20the%20outskirts%20of%20the%20Indian%20capital%2C%20workers%20also%20separate%20out%20the%20butts'%20tobacco%2C%20which%20is%20turned%20into%20compost%20powder.%0A%0AHis%20company%20-%20Code%20Effort%20-%20has%20recycled%20over%20300%20million%20cigarette%20butts%20from%20the%20city%20streets%20so%20far.%0A%0AThe%20World%20Health%20Organization%20estimates%20that%20nearly%20267%20million%20people%2C%20nearly%2030%20per%20cent%20of%20India's%20adult%20population%2C%20are%20tobacco%20users%2C%20and%20butts%20litter%20urban%20streets%20where%20general%20cleanliness%20standards%20are%20poor.%0A%22(So)%20working%20here%20also%20helps%20keep%20our%20environment%20clean%2C%22%20says%20Poonam%2C%20an%20employee%20in%20Gupta's%20factory.%0A%0ACigarette%20butts%20are%20the%20most%20discarded%20waste%20item%20worldwide%20according%20to%20the%20UN%20Environment%20Programme.%20%0A%0AMany%20of%20these%20end%20up%20in%20our%20oceans%20and%20on%20our%20beaches%20with%20disastrous%20consequences%20for%20marine%20environments.%0A%0ACigarette%20filters%20are%20made%20out%20of%20non-biodegradable%20cellulose%20acetate%20fibres%2C%20which%20break%20down%20into%20microplastics%20and%20end%20up%20being%20consumed%20by%20marine%20life%20and%20birds.%0A%0AIn%202019%2C%205.9%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20EU%20population%20aged%2015%20years%20and%20over%20consumed%20at%20least%2020%20cigarettes%20per%20day%2C%20and%2012.6%20per%20cent%20consumed%20less%20than%2020%2C%20according%20to%20Eurostat.%0A%0AIn%20Europe%2C%20companies%20like%20France's%20M%C3%A9Go!%20have%20also%20found%20inventive%20ways%20to%20reuse%20cigarette%20butts%2C%20recycling%20them%20into%20furniture%20like%20tables%20and%20benches.

Indian factory turns cigarette butts in soft toys

Discover%20the%20new%2C%20more%20sustainable%20electric%20car%20battery%20recycling%20technique%20that%20has%20been%20developed%20by%20a%20team%20from%20the%20University%20of%20Toronto.%0A%0AWith%20electric%20car%20sales%20surging%20worldwide%2C%20the%20demand%20for%20metals%20essential%20to%20battery%20technology%20is%20also%20substantially%20increasing.%20Professor%20Gisele%20Azimi%2C%20of%20the%20University%20of%20Toronto%20Engineering%E2%80%99s%20Laboratory%20for%20Strategic%20Materials%20%2C%20has%20developed%20a%20novel%20technique%20that%20could%20help%20secure%20a%20supply%20of%20critical%20metals%20by%20altering%20the%20current%20method%20of%20electric%20car%20battery%20recycling.%0A%0AThis%20new%20process%2C%20proposed%20by%20Azimi%20and%20her%20team%2C%20is%20a%20more%20sustainable%20method%20to%20mine%20for%20critical%20minerals%2C%20such%20as%20lithium%2C%20cobalt%2C%20nickel%2C%20and%20manganese.%20The%20team%20will%20recycle%20these%20metals%20from%20lithium-ion%20batteriesthat%20have%20reached%20the%20end%20of%20their%20useful%20lifespan.%0A%0AHow%20does%20the%20new%20technique%20differ%20from%20conventional%20battery%20recycling%20methods%3F%0A%0APhD%20candidate%20Jiakai%20(Kevin)%20Zhang%2C%20the%20lead%20author%20on%20a%20new%20paper%20recently%20published%20in%C2%A0Resources%2C%20Conservation%20and%20Recycling%2C%20explained%20that%20conventional%20processes%20for%20electric%20car%20battery%20recycling%20are%20extremely%20energy%20intensive.%20One%20of%20the%20processes%20is%20based%20on%20pyrometallurgy%2C%20which%20uses%20high%20temperatures%20and%20produces%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions.%20The%20other%20process%20is%20based%20on%20hydrometallurgy%20which%20uses%20acids%20and%20reducing%20agents%20for%20extraction%2C%20producing%20wastewater%20that%20needs%20to%20be%20processed%20and%20handled.%0A%0AThe%20new%20electric%20car%20battery%20recycling%20technique%20instead%20uses%20supercritical%20fluid%20extraction%20for%20metal%20recovery.%20This%20technique%20separates%20components%20from%20each%20other%20by%20using%20an%20extracting%20solvent%20at%20a%20temperature%20and%20pressure%20above%20its%20critical%20point.%20This%20is%20the%20point%20where%20the%20solvent%20adopts%20the%20properties%20of%20both%20a%20liquid%20and%20a%20gas.%0A%0AZhang%20then%20used%20carbon%20dioxide%20as%20a%20solvent%20to%20recover%20the%20metals%2C%20which%20were%20brought%20to%20the%20supercritical%20phase%20by%20increasing%20the%20temperature%20above%2031%C2%B0C%20and%20the%20pressure%20up%20to%20seven%20megapascals.%0A%0AAdvantages%20of%20the%20new%20electric%20car%20%0Abattery%20recycling%20technique%0A%0AThe%20new%20process%20matched%20the%20extraction%20efficiency%20of%20lithium%2C%20nickel%2C%20cobalt%2C%20and%20manganese%20to%2090%25%20when%20compared%20to%20the%20conventional%20processes.%20Azimi%20and%20her%20team%20also%20showed%20that%20their%20electric%20car%20battery%20recycling%20technique%20used%20fewer%20chemicals%20and%20generated%20significantly%20less%20secondary%20waste.%20In%20the%20new%20method%2C%20the%20main%20source%20of%20energy%20released%20came%20from%20the%20compression%20of%20the%20carbon%20dioxide.%0A%0AAzimi%20stated%3A%20%E2%80%9CThe%20advantage%20of%20our%20method%20is%20that%20we%20are%20using%20carbon%20dioxide%20from%20the%20air%20as%20the%20solvent%20instead%20of%20highly%20hazardous%20acids%20or%20bases.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CCarbon%20dioxide%20is%20abundant%2C%20cheap%2C%20and%20inert%2C%20and%20it%E2%80%99s%20also%20easy%20to%20handle%2C%20vent%2C%20and%20recycle.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ASupercritical%20fluid%20extraction%20is%20not%20a%20new%20process%2C%20since%20the%201970s%20it%20has%20been%20used%20to%20extract%20caffeine%20from%20coffee%20beans.%20The%20team%20has%20used%20previous%20research%20on%20this%20process%20to%20recover%20rare%20earth%20elements%20from%20nickel-metal-hydride%20batteries.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20this%20is%20the%20first%20time%20that%20this%20process%20has%20been%20used%20to%20recover%20metals%20from%20lithium-ion%20batteries.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20really%20believe%20in%20the%20success%20and%20the%20benefits%20of%20this%20process%2C%E2%80%9D%20stated%20Azimi.%0A%0AThe%20next%20steps%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20now%20moving%20towards%20commercialisation%20of%20this%20method%20to%20increase%20its%20technology%20readiness%20level.%20Our%20next%20step%20is%20to%20finalise%20partnerships%20to%20build%20industrial-scale%20recycling%20facilities%20for%20secondary%20resources.%20If%20it%E2%80%99s%20enabled%2C%20it%20would%20be%20a%20big%20game%20changer.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIf%20we%20recycle%20existing%20batteries%2C%20we%20can%20sustain%20the%20constrained%20supply%20chain%20and%20help%20bring%20down%20the%20cost%20of%20electric%20car%20batteries%2C%20making%20the%20vehicles%20more%20affordable.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ACanada%20is%20committed%20to%20a%20mandatory%20target%20that%20requires%20100%25%20of%20new%20light-duty%20cars%20and%20passenger%20trucks%20sold%20in%20the%20country%20to%20be%20fully%20electric%20by%202035.%20This%20is%20part%20of%20Canada%E2%80%99s%20target%20to%20reach%20net-zero%20emissions%20by%202050.%0AFor%20this%20target%20to%20be%20achieved%2C%20the%20country%20needs%20to%20increase%20its%20supply%20of%20critical%20metals%2C%20which%20are%20already%20high%20in%20cost.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20about%20to%20reach%20a%20point%20where%20many%20lithium-ion%20batteries%20are%20reaching%20their%20end%20of%20life%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Azimi.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThese%20batteries%20are%20still%20very%20rich%20in%20elements%20of%20interest%20and%20can%20provide%20a%20crucial%20resource%20for%20recovery.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ABy%20recycling%20electric%20car%20batteries%2C%20these%20critical%20materials%20can%20be%20supplied%20at%20a%20lower%20cost%2C%20and%20the%20need%20to%20mine%20raw%20ore%2C%20which%20comes%20with%20environmental%20and%20ethical%20concerns%2C%20is%20reduced.%0A%0AThe%20current%20life%20expectancy%20of%20electric%20car%20batteries%20is%20between%20ten%20and%2020%20years%2C%20but%20most%20car%20manufacturers%20only%20provide%20a%20guarantee%20for%20eight%20years%20or%20160%2C000km.%20When%20electric%20car%20batteries%20reach%20end%20of%20life%2C%20metals%20can%20be%20recovered%20from%20them%20through%20recycling.%20Currently%2C%20this%20does%20not%20happen%2C%20as%20many%20electric%20car%20batteries%20are%20discarded%20improperly%2C%20ending%20up%20in%20landfills.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIf%20we%20keep%20mining%20lithium%2C%20cobalt%2C%20and%20nickel%20for%20batteries%20and%20then%20just%20landfill%20them%20at%20end%20of%20life%2C%20there%20will%20be%20a%20negative%20environmental%20impact%2C%20especially%20if%20corrosive%20electrolyte%20leaching%20occurs%20and%20contaminates%20underground%20water%20systems%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Zhang.%0A%0AThe%20team%E2%80%99s%20new%20electric%20car%20battery%20recycling%20technology%2C%20therefore%2C%20provides%20a%20more%20sustainable%20way%20to%20recover%20metals%2C%20subsequently%20assisting%20the%20electric%20vehicle%20revolution%2C%20and%20the%20global%20transition%20to%20clean%20energy.

New electric car battery recycling method

Consumer%20goods%20firms%20including%20Danone%2C%20Unilever%2C%20Mars%20and%20PepsiCo%20have%20stated%20that%20they%20will%20collectively%20be%20looking%20to%20purchase%20800%2C000%20of%20chemically%20recycled%20packaging%20materials%20in%202030%2C%20sending%20a%20demand%20signal%20to%20the%20waste%20management%20value%20chain.%0A%0AThe%20figure%20is%20being%20presented%20to%20investors%2C%20suppliers%20and%20regulators%20today%20(12%20October)%20by%20the%20Consumer%20Goods%20Forum%E2%80%99s%20(CGF)%20Coalition%20of%20Action%20on%20Plastic%20Waste.%20Signing%20the%20letter%20are%20Amcor%2C%20Barilla%2C%20Colgate-Palmolive%2C%20Danone%2C%20Ferrero%2C%20Haleon%2C%20Henkel%2C%20Mars%2C%20McCain%2C%20Mondelez%20International%2C%20PepsiCo%20and%20Unilever.%20The%20figure%20is%20based%20on%20the%20demand%20forecast%20of%20these%20firms%20plus%20dozens%20of%20others.%0A%0AIn%20signing%20the%20letter%2C%20the%20companies%20say%20their%20intention%20is%20to%20%E2%80%9Cexpress%20their%20common%20interest%20in%20the%20development%20of%20credible%2C%20safeand%20environmentally%20sound%20chemical%20recycling%20infrastructure%20put%20forward%20by%20the%20industry%20players%20in%20Europe.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20letter%20continues%3A%20%E2%80%9CBy%20expressing%20their%20interest%2C%20the%20Parties%20wish%20to%20send%20a%20strong%20signal%20of%20support%20to%20society%20of%20the%20need%20for%20scale%20in%20plastics%20recycling%20infrastructure%20while%20meeting%20the%20necessary%20environmental%20and%20other%20safeguards%20laid%20out%20by%20the%20Parties.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ATraditional%20plastic%20recycling%20technologies%20have%20largely%20been%20mechanical%2C%20and%20the%20availability%20of%20chemically%20recycled%20plastic%20is%20low%2C%20globally%2C%20at%20present%20as%20many%20key%20chemical%20recycling%20technologies%20are%20not%20yet%20commercially%20mature.%20Firms%20including%20those%20in%20the%20FMCG%20sector%20have%20stated%20that%20new%20ways%20of%20recycling%20plastics%20will%20need%20to%20be%20scaled%20rapidly%20for%20them%20to%20deliver%20their%20commitments%20on%20increasing%20recycled%20content.%20Such%20commitments%20have%20become%20increasingly%20common%20through%20collaborative%20business%20initiatives.%0A%0ATo%20that%20end%2C%20the%20CGF%E2%80%99s%20Coalition%20moved%20in%20April%20to%20publish%20a%20%E2%80%98vision%20and%20principles%E2%80%99%20paper%2C%20which%20sets%20out%20the%20requirements%20which%20plastic%20users%20would%20put%20on%20chemicals%20and%20packaging%20supplier%20companies%20around%20the%20performance%20and%20environmental%20sustainability%20of%20their%20recycled%20plastics.%20That%20paper%20stated%20that%2060%20to%2070%20new%20medium-sized%20chemical%20recycling%20plants%20will%20need%20to%20come%20online%20in%20Europe%20this%20decade%20to%20meet%20the%20FMCG%20industry%E2%80%99s%20growing%20purchasing%20demand%20alone.%0A%0AThe%20paper%20was%20published%20alongside%20a%20life-cycle%20assessment%20(LCA)%20of%20chemical%20recycling%20for%20food-grade%20films.%20Films%20and%20other%20flexible%20plastics%20are%20one%20of%20the%20key%20reasons%20for%20companies%20to%20back%20chemical%20recycling%2C%20as%20they%20are%20challenging%20to%20recycle%20mechanically.%20The%20LCA%20lays%20out%20how%20chemically%20recycling%20these%20films%20would%20be%20less%20carbon-intensive%2C%20across%20the%20life-cycle%2C%20than%20incinerating%20them%20to%20generate%20energy-from-waste.%0A%0AFlexible%20packaging%20is%20used%20to%20house%2068%25%20of%20all%20products%20sold%20within%20the%20EU%20annually%20by%20volume%20and%20accounts%20for%2044%25%20of%20the%20bloc%E2%80%99s%20post-consumer%20packaging%20waste.%20Yet%20most%20EU%20households%20and%20businesses%20do%20not%20currently%20have%20access%20to%20flexible%20plastic%20recycling%20at%20kerbside%2C%20due%20to%20a%20lack%20of%20appropriate%20recycling%20infrastructure.

Demand for 800k tons of recycled plastics by 2030

Quadloop%2C%20a%20Nigerian%20based%20company%2C%20has%20found%20a%20way%20to%20turn%20electronic%20waste%20into%20solar%20lanterns%20and%20other%20products%20which%20will%20have%20a%20lower%20impact%20on%20the%20environment.%0A%0ADozie%20Igweilo%2C%20founder%20of%20Quadloop%2C%20told%20Reuters%20he%20came%20up%20with%20the%20idea%20after%20discovering%20a%20market%20for%20affordable%2C%20locally%20produced%20electrical%20goods%2C%20for%20which%20components%20were%20not%20available%20in%20the%20country.%0A%0A%22At%20that%20point%2C%20we%20noticed%20that...%20if%20we%20leverage%20on%20electronic%20waste%2C%20we%20are%20going%20to%20cut%20down%20the%20cost%20of%20production%20as%20well%20as%20the%20cost%20of%20sales%2C%20and%20that%20is%20what%20brought%20us%20to%20where%20we%20are%20today%2C%22%20Igweilo%20said.%0A%0AThe%20company%20aims%20to%20source%2070%25%20of%20its%20materials%20from%20electronic%20waste.%20Quadloop%20recycles%20lithium%20batteries%20from%20dumped%20old%20laptops%20for%20its%20solar%20lanterns.%0A%0AThose%20lanterns%20are%20then%20used%20by%20small%20businesses%20helping%20them%20to%20stay%20productive%20if%20there%20are%20power%20outages%2C%20Igweilo%20said.%0A%0AOne%20of%20Quadloop's%20clients%20is%20Blessing%20Samuel%2C%20who%20works%20as%20a%20hairdresser%20and%20uses%20its%20solar%20lantern%20at%20night.%0A%0A%22It's%20very%20good%2C%20it%20has%20been%20helpful%20to%20me%20since%20I%20got%20it%2C%20it%20helps%20me%20when%20there's%20no%20light.%20I%20use%20it%20to%20do%20my%20work%20and%20it%20relieved%20me%20of%20the%20stress%20of%20buying%20fuel%2C%22%20she%20told%20Reuters.%0A%0A

Nigerian company turns e-waste in solar lanterns

Latin%20America's%20first%20renewable-powered%2C%20trash-trapping%20wheel%20whisks%20away%20garbage%20floating%20down%20one%20of%20Panama's%20most%20important%20but%20heavily%20polluted%20rivers%20before%20it%20spills%20into%20the%20Pacific%20Ocean%2C%20thanks%20to%20an%20initiative%20by%20a%20local%20environmental%20group.%0A%0AThe%20wheel%2C%20fueled%20by%20hydraulic%20and%20solar%20energy%2C%20collects%20the%20vast%20amounts%20of%20waste%20produced%20in%20the%20capital%20Panama%20City%20with%20its%20metro%20population%20of%20around%20two%20million%20people.%20Tonnes%20of%20trash%20often%20flow%20into%20the%20sea%20each%20year.%0A%0A%22Cleaning%20beaches%20is%20good%2C%20but%20it%20is%20more%20effective%20and%20cheaper%20to%20trap%20garbage%20in%20rivers%20because%20when%20it%20reaches%20the%20ocean%2C%20the%20environmental%20and%20economic%20cost%20becomes%20too%20high%2C%22%20said%20project%20leader%20Robert%20Getman.%0A%0AInstalled%20by%20environmental%20group%20Marea%20Verde%2C%20the%20wheel%20is%20named%20Wanda%20Diaz%2C%20in%20part%20a%20reference%20to%20the%20Juan%20Diaz%20river%20where%20it%20spins.%0A%0AWanda%20Diaz%20launched%20in%20late%20September%20in%20a%20river%20basin%20since%20drenched%20by%20heavy%20rains%2C%20which%20in%20turn%20propelled%20plastic%20bottles%20and%20containers%20into%20Wanda's%20mechanical%20arms.%0A%0ABy%20mid-October%2C%20Wanda%20had%20collected%2022%201.3%20cubic%20meter%20bags%20of%20plastic%20bottles.%0A%0AThe%20Juan%20Diaz%20river%20is%20one%20of%20the%20most%20polluted%20in%20the%20country%20due%20to%20poor%20waste%20management%2C%20little%20regulation%20of%20real%20estate%20development%2C%20and%20its%20course%20across%20Panama%20City%2C%20one%20of%20Central%20America's%20largest%20cities.%0A%0AThe%20waterway%20is%20nevertheless%20home%20to%20lizards%2C%20turtles%20and%20birds%20that%20live%20in%20its%20mangroves.%0A%0AOver%20five%20years%2C%20Marea%20Verde%20projects%20have%20slowed%20the%20spread%20of%20trash%20across%20Panama's%20rivers%20and%20coastlines.%0A%0ABefore%20the%20coronavirus%20pandemic%20struck%2C%20the%20group%20rolled%20out%20its%20%22Barrier%20or%20Trash%22%20technology%2C%20a%20floating%20device%20that%20trapped%20over%20100%20tonnes%20of%20waste%20in%20the%20Matias%20Hernandez%20river%20between%202019%20and%202020.%0A%0AWanda%2C%20inspired%20and%20supported%20by%20the%20Baltimore%20Bay%20%22Trashwheel%22%20in%20the%20United%20States%2C%20is%20fitted%20with%20artificial%20intelligence%20cameras%20to%20categorize%20different%20plastics.%0A%0A%22We%20want%20to%20raise%20awareness%20that%20we%20can%20prevent%20the%20death%20of%20this%20very%20important%20river%2C%22%20said%20Marea%20Verde%20head%20Sandy%20Watemberg%2C%20expressing%20optimism%20that%20the%20wheel%20will%20help.%0A%0ABut%20she%20also%20pointed%20to%20the%20need%20for%20those%20who%20much%20too%20casually%20use%20single-use%20plastics%20to%20rethink%20their%20own%20consumption.%0A%0A%22The%20most%20important%20thing%20is%20to%20achieve%20a%20change%20in%20habits%2C%22%20she%20said.%0A%0A

Panama river cleaned up by trash-trapping wheel

Researchers%20have%20developed%20a%20new%20method%20to%20convert%20leftover%20sludge%20to%20biogas%2C%20lowering%20waste%20treatment%20costs%20and%20helping%20the%20environment.%20A%20Washington%20State%20University%20research%20team%20has%20tested%20a%20pre-treatment%20technology%20in%20waste%20management%20systems%2C%20adding%20an%20extra%20step%20to%20typical%20treatments%20and%20using%20oxygen-containing%20high-pressure%20steam%20to%20break%20down%20sewage%20sludge.%20It%20was%20found%20that%20they%20were%20able%20to%20convert%20more%20than%2085%25%20of%20the%20organic%20material%20to%20biogas%2C%20which%20can%20be%20used%20to%20produce%20electricity%20or%20upgraded%20to%20renewable%20natural%20gas%20(RNG)%20for%20the%20natural%20gas%20grid%20or%20for%20local%20use.%20%0A%0AThe%20work%2C%20funded%20by%20the%20U.S.%20Department%20of%20Energy%2C%20was%20published%20in%20the%20journal%20Waste%20Management%2C%20under%20the%20title%20%E2%80%98Improved%20valorisation%20of%20sewage%20sludge%20in%20the%20circular%20economy%20by%20anaerobic%20digestion%3A%20Impact%20of%20an%20innovative%20pre-treatment%20technology.%E2%80%99%20%0A%0AThe%20team%E2%80%99s%20research%20into%20the%20pre-treatment%20process%0A%0AThe%20researchers%20treated%20the%20sludge%20at%20a%20high%20temperature%20and%20pressure%2C%20with%20oxygen%20added%20before%20the%20anaerobic%20digestion%20process.%20The%20oxygen%20acts%20as%20a%20catalyst%20under%20high%20pressure%2C%20subsequently%20breaking%20down%20the%20polymers%20in%20the%20material.%20%20%0A%0AThe%20pre-treatment%20process%20has%20been%20studied%20for%20several%20years%2C%20previously%20being%20used%20to%20break%20down%20straw%20and%20woody%20materials.%20The%20team%20was%20not%20sure%20whether%20the%20process%20would%20work%20to%20produce%20biogas%20from%20the%20sewage%20sludge%2C%20due%20to%20different%20compositions%20such%20as%20lipids%20and%20proteins.%20However%2C%20they%20were%20positively%20surprised%20by%20the%20outcome.%20%20%0A%0ANow%2C%20the%20team%20is%20working%20with%20Clean-Vantage%2C%20a%20Richland-based%20clean%20technology%20start-up%20company%20active%20in%20the%20pre-treatment%20area%2C%20and%20the%20Pacific%20Northwest%20National%20Laboratory%20(PNNL)%2C%20which%20is%20doing%20a%20techno-economic%20analysis%20of%20the%20new%20process.%20%0A%0AAdvantages%20of%20adding%20a%20new%20pre-treatment%20step%0A%0AAdding%20the%20new%20pre-treatment%20step%20improves%20the%20anaerobic%20conversion%20of%20sewage%20sludge%20at%20the%20wastewater%20treatment%20facility%20from%20the%20current%20less-than-50%25%20conversion%20rate.%20The%20new%20method%20also%20produces%2098%25%20more%20methane%20than%20the%20current%20practice%2C%20which%20can%20be%20used%20as%20biogas.%0A%0ABirgitte%20Ahring%2C%20professor%20in%20the%20Gene%20and%20Linda%20Voiland%20School%20of%20Chemical%20Engineering%20and%20Bioengineering%20and%20leader%20of%20the%20study%2C%20stated%3A%20%E2%80%9CIt%20was%20shown%20to%20be%20extremely%20efficient%2C%20and%20that%E2%80%99s%20very%20exciting.%20This%20can%20be%20applicable%20and%20something%20we%20could%20begin%20to%20explore%20in%20Washington%20state.%20Not%20wasting%20waste%2C%20but%20using%20its%20potential%20instead%2C%20has%20major%20advantages.%E2%80%9D%20%20%20%0A%0AIn%20the%20US%20currently%2C%20approximately%20half%20of%20the%20wastewater%20treatment%20plants%20use%20anaerobic%20digestions.%20However%2C%20the%20process%20in%20which%20microbes%20break%20down%20the%20waste%20is%20inefficient%2C%20as%20the%20leftover%20sludge%20generally%20ends%20up%20in%20landfills.%20Large%20amounts%20of%20electricity%20are%20also%20used%20to%20clean%20up%20municipal%20wastewater%2C%20with%20wastewater%20treatment%20facilities%20often%20the%20largest%20users%20of%20electricity%20in%20a%20small%20community.%20%20%0A%0ASmall%20communities%20can%20particularly%20benefit%20from%20the%20technology%2C%20as%20many%20are%20committed%20to%20reducing%20their%20waste%20and%20climate%20impact.%20%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIf%20they%20could%20make%20their%20own%20electricity%2C%20or%20for%20some%20of%20the%20large%20plants%2C%20make%20renewable%20biogas%20and%20add%20it%20to%20the%20natural%20gas%20grid%2C%20then%20they%20can%20reduce%20the%20use%20of%20fossil%20fuels.%20Here%2C%20we%20are%20beginning%20to%20move%20into%20the%20idea%20of%20the%20circular%20economy%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Ahring%2C%20who%20is%20also%20a%20faculty%20member%20in%20the%20Bioproducts%2C%20Sciences%2C%20and%20Engineering%20Laboratory%20at%20WSU%20Tri-cities.%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20not%20a%20very%20high-tech%20solution.%20It%E2%80%99s%20actually%20a%20solution%20that%20can%20be%20useful%20even%20at%20small%20scale.%20The%20efficiency%20has%20to%20be%20high%20or%20else%20you%20cannot%20warrant%20adding%20the%20extra%20costs%20to%20the%20process.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%0AConverting%20the%20biogas%20for%20future%20uses%20%20%0A%0ANow%2C%20the%20researchers%20are%20scaling%20up%20the%20work%20in%20their%20pilot%20facility%20located%20at%20WSU%20Tri-cities%20to%20further%20demonstrate%20the%20process.%20The%20team%20is%20studying%20how%20to%20efficiently%20convert%20biogas%20to%20more%20valuable%20renewable%20natural%20gas%20by%20a%20new%20bioprocess.%20%0A%0AAlthough%20the%20biogas%20created%20can%20be%20used%20to%20produce%20electricity%2C%20producing%20renewable%20natural%20gas%20could%20allow%20rural%20communities%20to%20generate%20local%20transportation%20fuel%20for%20fuelling%20their%20municipal%20vehicles.

New system converts sewage to biogas

The%20UK%20Government%20has%20revealed%20that%20it%20will%20develop%20the%20first-ever%2C%20large-scale%20merchant%20lithium%20refinery%20in%20the%20country%2C%20a%20significant%20boost%20for%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%20critical%20minerals%20supply.%0A%0AGrant%20Shapps%2C%20the%20UK%20Business%20Secretary%2C%20is%20travelling%20to%20Teesport%20in%20Middlesbrough%2C%20the%20new%20site%20merchant%20lithium%20refinery%2C%20to%20announce%20the%20development%20plans.%20The%20groundbreaking%20refinery%20will%20be%20developed%20by%20Green%20Lithium%2C%20creating%20over%201%2C000%20jobs%20and%20ensuring%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%20supply%20of%20battery-grade%20materials%20for%20electric%20vehicles%2C%20renewable%20energy%20and%20consumer%20technologies.%0A%0ASafeguarding%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%20critical%20minerals%20supply%0A%0ALithium%20is%20an%20essential%20ingredient%20of%20batteries%2C%20and%20a%20secure%20supply%20will%20be%20vital%20for%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%20automotive%20and%20energy%20industries.%20Moreover%2C%20critical%20minerals%20are%20also%20fundamental%20in%20a%20range%20of%20critical%20technologies%2C%20including%20mobile%20phones%2C%20wind%20turbines%2C%20and%20fighter%20jets.%0A%0ACritical%20minerals%20are%20at%20significant%20risk%20of%20supply%20disruption%20due%20to%20volatile%20markets%20and%20complex%20supply%20chains%2C%20with%20the%20demand%20for%20critical%20minerals%20forecasted%20to%20quadruple%20globally%20by%202024.%20As%20a%20result%2C%20the%20UK%20needs%20to%20secure%20its%20critical%20minerals%20supply%20rapidly.%20Currently%2C%2089%25%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20lithium%20processing%20currently%20takes%20place%20in%20East%20Asia%2C%20with%20there%20being%20no%20lithium%20refineries%20in%20Europe.%0A%0AUnveiling%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%20first%20merchant%20lithium%20refinery%0A%0AThe%20new%20large-scale%20lithium%20refinery%20represents%20a%20significant%20boost%20for%20levelling%20up%20the%20UK%20and%20making%20the%20country%20a%20prime%20location%20worldwide%20for%20business.%20The%20refinery%20will%20create%20more%20than%201%2C000%20jobs%20in%20construction%20and%20250%20long-term%20high-skill%20jobs%20for%20local%20people%20once%20up%20and%20running.%20The%20UK%20Government%20has%20provided%20substantial%20funding%20for%20the%20project%2C%20granting%20Green%20Lithium%20over%20%C2%A3600%2C000%20through%20the%20Automotive%20Transformation%20Fund.%0A%0AGrant%20Shapps%20commented%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99re%20backing%20companies%2C%20like%20Green%20Lithium%20here%20in%20Teesside%2C%20to%20grow%20the%20new%2C%20green%20industries%20across%20the%20UK%2C%20sparking%20jobs%20and%20growth%20for%20decades%20to%20come.%20This%20is%20levelling%20up%20in%20action.%20The%20refinery%20will%20deliver%20more%20than%201%2C000%20jobs%20during%20its%20construction%20and%20250%20long-term%2C%20high-skill%20jobs%20for%20local%20people%20when%20in%20operation.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20also%20allowing%20us%20to%20move%20quickly%20to%20secure%20our%20supply%20chains%20of%20critical%20minerals%2C%20as%20we%20know%20that%20geopolitical%20threats%20and%20global%20events%20beyond%20our%20control%20can%20severely%20impact%20the%20supply%20of%20key%20components%20that%20could%20delay%20the%20rollout%20of%20electric%20vehicles%20in%20the%20UK.%E2%80%9D

UK's first large-scale merchant lithium refinery

Coiffeurs%20across%20Belgium%20are%20sweeping%20up%20and%20bagging%20hair%20clipped%20from%20their%20customers%2C%20and%20then%20handing%20it%20over%20to%20an%20NGO%20that%20recycles%20it%20to%20protect%20the%20environment.%0A%0AThe%20Hair%20Recycle%20project%20feeds%20locks%20and%20tresses%20into%20a%20machine%20that%20turns%20them%20into%20matted%20squares%20that%20can%20be%20used%20to%20absorb%20oil%20and%20other%20hydrocarbons%20polluting%20the%20environment%2C%20or%20made%20into%20bio-composite%20bags.%0A%0AProject%20Co-founder%20Patrick%20Janssen%2C%20explaining%20that%201%20kilogram%20(2.2%20lbs)%20of%20hair%20can%20absorb%207-8%20litres%20(1.8-2.1%20U.S.%20gallons)%20of%20oil%20and%20hydrocarbons%2C%20said%20the%20mats%20can%20be%20placed%20in%20drains%20to%20soak%20up%20pollution%20in%20water%20before%20it%20reaches%20a%20river.%0A%0A%22Our%20products%20are%20all%20the%20more%20ethical%20as%20they%20are%20manufactured%20locally%20...%20they%20are%20not%20imported%20from%20the%20other%20side%20of%20the%20planet%2C%22%20he%20told%20Reuters.%20%22They%20are%20made%20here%20to%20deal%20with%20local%20problems.%22%0A%0AThe%20project%20said%20on%20its%20website%20that%20hair%20has%20powerful%20properties%3A%20one%20strand%20can%20support%20up%20to%2010%20million%20times%20its%20own%20weight%2C%20and%20as%20well%20as%20absorbing%20fat%20and%20hydrocarbons%2C%20it%20is%20water-soluble%20and%20highly%20elastic%20due%20to%20its%20keratin%20fibres.%0A%0AIsabelle%20Voulkidis%2C%20manager%20of%20the%20Helyode%20salon%20in%20Brussels%2C%20is%20one%20of%20dozens%20of%20hairdresser%20across%20the%20country%20that%20pay%20a%20small%20fee%20to%20the%20project%20to%20collect%20their%20hair%20cuttings.%0A%0A%22What%20motivates%20me%2C%20personally%2C%20is%20that%20I%20find%20it%20a%20shame%20hair%20is%20nowadays%20just%20thrown%20in%20the%20bin%2C%20when%20I%20know%20that%20so%20much%20could%20be%20done%20with%20it%2C%22%20she%20said%2C%20as%20she%20combed%20and%20clipped%20one%20of%20her%20customer's%20hair.

Human hair recycled to protect the environment

Scientists%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Portsmouth%20are%20to%20develop%20%E2%80%98plastic-eating%E2%80%99%20enzymes%20that%20could%20help%20solve%20the%20ever-growing%20problem%20of%20waste%20polyester%20clothing.%20Polyester%20is%20the%20most%20widely-used%20clothing%20fibre%20in%20the%20world%20but%20is%20currently%20not%20a%20sustainable%20textile%20option%20and%20will%20likely%20end%20up%20discarded%20in%20landfill%20or%20polluting%20the%20environment.%20It%20is%20made%20from%20polyethylene%20terephthalate%20(PET)%2C%20one%20of%20the%20most%20common%20consumer%20plastics.%0A%0AResearchers%20at%20the%20University%E2%80%99s%20Centre%20for%20Enzyme%20Innovation%20have%20already%20developed%20enzyme%20technology%20to%20reduce%20single%20use%20plastics%2C%20including%20PET%2C%20to%20their%20chemical%20building%20blocks%2C%20leading%20to%20safe%20and%20energy%20efficient%20recycling.%20Now%20they%20have%20set%20their%20sights%20on%20creating%20a%20similar%20process%20for%20polyester%20textiles.%20%0A%0AThe%20process%20of%20recycling%20synthetic%20fabrics%20using%20enzymes%20will%20not%20be%20an%20easy%20one.%20It%20is%20estimated%20that%20these%20textiles%20account%20for%2060%20per%20cent%20of%20clothes%20that%20are%20worn%20(EEA%20(2021)%20Plastic%20in%20textiles%3A%20towards%20a%20circular%20economy%20for%20synthetic%20textiles%20in%20Europe)%2C%20and%20are%20often%20chosen%20for%20durability.%20%0A%0AThe%20addition%20of%20dyes%20and%20other%20chemical%20treatments%20make%20it%20even%20harder%20for%20these%20tough%20oil-based%20materials%20to%20be%20%E2%80%98digested%E2%80%99%20in%20a%20natural%20process.%20Developing%20enzymes%20that%20can%20efficiently%20%E2%80%98eat%E2%80%99%20polyester%20clothing%2C%20without%20energy%20intensive%20pre-treatment%2C%20is%20the%20biggest%20challenge.%0A%0AProfessor%20Andy%20Pickford%2C%20Director%20of%20the%20Centre%20for%20Enzyme%20Innovation%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Portsmouth%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%20will%20develop%20enzymes%20that%20can%20deconstruct%20the%20PET%20in%20waste%20textiles%2C%20tolerating%20the%20challenges%20that%20this%20feedstock%20poses%2C%20namely%20its%20toughness%20and%20the%20presence%20of%20dyes%20and%20additives.%20%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20will%20test%20the%20compatibility%20of%20our%20engineered%20enzymes%20with%20additives%2C%20dyes%20and%20solvents%20to%20select%20those%20enzymes%20that%20are%20best%20suited%20to%20polyester%20textile%20deconstruction.%20Then%20we%20will%20apply%20these%20enzymes%20to%20appropriately%20pretreated%20waste%20polyester%20textiles%20in%20laboratory-scale%20bioreactors%20to%20evaluate%20the%20potential%20and%20limitations%20of%20scaling%20up%20the%20technology.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AClothing%20has%20some%20of%20the%20lowest%20rates%20of%20recycling%2C%20with%20much%20of%20it%20being%20incinerated%20or%20ending%20up%20in%20landfill.%20Whilst%20it%20is%20possible%20to%20turn%20good%20quality%20oil-based%20textiles%20into%20carpets%20and%20other%20products%2C%20current%20recycling%20methods%20are%20highly%20energy%20intensive.%20Scientists%20hope%20that%20enzymes%20developed%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Portsmouth%20will%20help%20them%20create%20a%20environmentally-friendly%20circular%20economy%20for%20plastic%20based%20clothing.%20%0A%0AProfessor%20Pickford%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9COur%20research%20will%20establish%20the%20feasibility%20of%20using%20enzymes%20to%20deconstruct%20the%20PET%20in%20waste%20textiles%20into%20a%20soup%20of%20simple%20building%20blocks%20for%20conversion%20back%20into%20new%20polyesters%2C%20thus%20reducing%20the%20need%20to%20produce%20virgin%20PET%20from%20fossil-fuel%20based%20chemicals.%20This%20will%20enable%20a%20circular%20polyester%20textiles%20economy%20and%20ultimately%20reduce%20our%20dependence%20on%20taking%20oil%20and%20gas%20out%20of%20the%20ground.%20%20%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20want%20a%20system%20that%20uses%20plastic%20in%20the%20same%20way%20we%20use%20glass%20or%20tin%20cans%20%E2%80%93%20infinitely%20recycled.%20%20The%20ultimate%20aim%20is%20to%20close%20the%20loop%20%E2%80%93%20however%2C%20this%20requires%20not%20only%20the%20technology%20but%20also%20the%20will%20to%20do%20so.%22%0A%0AThe%20research%2C%20which%20is%20funded%20by%20the%20Biotechnology%20and%20Biological%20Sciences%20Research%20Council%20(BBSRC)%2C%20will%20start%20at%20the%20end%20of%20January%202023%20and%20last%20for%2018%20months.%20%20The%20University%20team%20will%20work%20with%20project%20partners%20Biomimicry%20Institute%2C%20who%20will%20provide%20expertise%20in%20natural%20solutions%20to%20sustainability%20challenges%2C%20and%20Endura%20Sports%20clothing%2C%20who%20will%20share%20their%20knowledge%20of%20fabric%20dyes%20and%20provide%20samples%20of%20end%20of%20life%20polyester%20textiles.%20

‘Plastic-eating’ enzymes help recycle clothing

Linnaeus%20University%20researchers%20have%20developed%20a%20new%20way%20to%20retrieve%20cobalt%20from%20used%20lithium-ion%20batteries.%20The%20battery%20recycling%20method%20uses%20a%20liquid%20solvent%20derived%20from%20urine%20and%20acetic%20acid%20to%20recover%20over%2097%25%20of%20the%20cobalt.%0A%0AWith%20the%20demand%20for%20lithium-ion%20batteries%20rising%20and%20a%20limited%20supply%20of%20critical%20battery%20metals%20such%20as%20cobalt%2C%20it%20is%20clear%20that%20an%20efficient%20battery%20recycling%20method%20is%20required.%20Demand%20for%20cobalt%2C%20one%20of%20the%20main%20components%20of%20lithium-ion%20batteries%2C%20is%20rising%20in%20tandem%20with%20growing%20battery%20demand%20and%20is%20only%20expected%20to%20increase.%20Despite%20this%2C%20battery%20recycling%20currently%20occurs%20on%20a%20small%20scale.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CToday%E2%80%99s%20methods%20for%20recycling%20cobalt%20from%20batteries%20come%20with%20many%20drawbacks.%20They%20require%20significant%20amounts%20of%20energy%20and%20create%20byproducts%20that%20are%20dangerous%20for%20both%20humans%20and%20the%20environment.%20With%20more%20efficient%20and%20environmentally%20friendly%20methods%2C%20we%20can%20reuse%20a%20very%20significant%20portion%20of%20the%20cobalt%20that%20is%20already%20in%20use%2C%20instead%20of%20mining%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Ian%20Nicholls%2C%20professor%20of%20chemistry%20at%20Linnaeus%20University.%0A%0AThe%20work%2C%20%E2%80%98Highly%20Efficient%20Recovery%20and%20Recycling%20of%20Cobalt%20from%20Spent%20Lithium-Ion%20Batteries%20Using%20an%20N-Methylurea%E2%80%93Acetamide%20Nonionic%20Deep%20Eutectic%20Solvent%2C%E2%80%99%20is%20published%20in%20the%20journal%20ACS%20Omega.%0A%0ACurrent%20battery%20recycling%20methods%0AThere%20are%20three%20main%20methods%20for%20recycling%20essential%20metals%20from%20lithium-ion%20batteries.%0A%0AFirst%2C%20pyrometallurgy%20involves%20separating%20metals%20at%20very%20high%20temperatures%20at%20around%201%2C400%C2%B0C%2C%20resulting%20in%20high%20energy%20costs%20and%20harmful%20gases%20being%20generated.%0A%0AThe%20second%20method%20is%20hydrometallurgy%20which%20uses%20chemical%20solvents%20to%20extract%20the%20metals.%20Although%20the%20method%20involves%20less%20of%20a%20risk%20for%20the%20generation%20of%20harmful%20gases%2C%20large%20quantities%20of%20dangerous%20chemical%20compounds%20are%20required.%0A%0AThird%2C%20biometallurgy%20uses%20bacteria%20to%20separate%20metals%20but%20requires%20other%20substances%20to%20accelerate%20the%20reaction.%20The%20process%20causes%20harm%20to%20the%20environment%20and%20has%20high%20costs%20involved.%0A%0AAs%20demand%20for%20battery%20metals%20rises%2C%20it%20is%20important%20that%20an%20environmentally%20friendly%20and%20cost-effective%20method%20for%20battery%20recycling%20is%20sourced%20to%20ensure%20that%20a%20circular%20battery%20supply%20chain%20is%20secured.%0A%0AThe%20new%20battery%20recycling%20method%20tackles%20two%20major%20problems%0A%0AThe%20new%20battery%20recycling%20method%20developed%20by%20the%20researchers%20has%20the%20potential%20to%20develop%20a%20greener%20battery%20industry%2C%20solving%20two%20major%20problems%20with%20current%20recycling%20%E2%80%93%20high%20energy%20costs%20and%20dangerous%20waste.%0A%0AThe%20researchers%20used%20a%20liquid%20solvent%20to%20separate%20the%20cobalt%20and%20dissolve%20the%20lithium%20cobalt%20oxide%2C%20a%20substance%20used%20in%20lithium-ion%20batteries.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20solvent%20is%20a%20combination%20of%20two%20readily%20available%20substances%3A%20a%20simple%20derivate%20of%20urea%2C%20which%20is%20naturally%20occurring%20in%20urine%2C%20and%20acetamide%2C%20which%20can%20easily%20be%20retrieved%20from%20acetic%20acid%2C%E2%80%9D%20explained%20Subramanian%20Suriyanarayanan%2C%20one%20of%20the%20researchers%20behind%20the%20new%20method.%0A%0AThe%20process%20requires%20lower%20temperatures%0A%0ACompared%20to%20current%20battery%20recycling%20methods%20for%20cobalt%2C%20the%20main%20benefit%20of%20the%20researchers%E2%80%99%20solvent%20is%20that%20the%20process%20can%20take%20place%20at%20much%20lower%20temperatures.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIn%20our%20case%2C%20the%20reaction%20is%20most%20efficient%20at%20180%C2%B0C.%20That%20makes%20our%20method%20much%20more%20energy%20efficient%20than%20today%E2%80%99s%20commercial%20options%2C%20such%20as%20pyrometallurgy%2C%20which%20require%20extreme%20temperatures%2C%20often%20exceeding%201%2C400%C2%B0C%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Nicholls.%0A%0AThe%20process%20has%20large-scale%20potential%0AThe%20researchers%20extracted%20over%2097%25%20of%20the%20cobalt%20from%20pieces%20of%20lithium%20cobalt%20oxide%20that%20spent%20two%20days%20in%20the%20heated%20solvent.%0A%0AIn%20collaboration%20with%20researchers%20at%20the%20Indian%20Institute%20of%20Technology%20in%20Madras%2C%20the%20extracted%20cobalt%20was%20then%20used%20to%20produce%20new%20batteries%2C%20which%20in%20turn%20have%20been%20recycled%20with%20maintained%20effect.%0A%0AThe%20researchers%20believe%20that%20the%20results%20are%20a%20step%20closer%20to%20greener%20battery%20production%2C%20crucial%20for%20the%20clean%20energy%20transition.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20combination%20of%20readily%20available%20and%20relatively%20harmless%20substances%20and%20high%20energy%20efficacy%20gives%20our%20method%20potential%20to%20work%20for%20large-scale%20extraction%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Nicholls.

New lithium-ion battery recycling method

Rome%20will%20send%20900%20tonnes%20of%20rubbish%20to%20Amsterdam%20every%20week%20starting%20this%20month.%20The%20Italian%20capital%20is%20drowning%20in%20trash.%20The%20city%E2%80%99s%20four%20million%20residents%20produce%20more%20household%20waste%20than%20it%20can%20dispose%20of.%0A%0AStarting%20from%20mid-April%2C%20a%20special-purpose%20train%20will%20transport%20some%20of%20this%20rubbish%201%2C700%20km%20north%20to%20Amsterdam%20for%20incineration.%0A%0AThis%20is%20the%20most%20%E2%80%9Cenvironmental%E2%80%9D%20solution%2C%20authorities%20have%20claimed.%0A%0ASo%20how%20will%20it%20work%3F%0A%0AWhy%20is%20Rome%20sending%20trash%20to%20Amsterdam%3F%0A%0ARome%20does%20not%20have%20the%20capacity%20to%20process%20the%20waste%20it%20produces.%0A%0ALast%20year%2C%20a%20huge%20fire%20heavily%20damaged%20the%20city%E2%80%99s%20largest%20waste%20processing%20company.%20A%20new%20installation%20will%20not%20be%20operational%20until%20at%20least%202026.%0A%0AShort%20of%20letting%20the%20rubbish%20spill%20out%20onto%20the%20streets%20and%20into%20waterways%2C%20Roman%20authorities%20have%20few%20options.%0A%0AThey%20could%20bury%20the%20waste%20in%20landfill%20where%20it%20would%20slowly%20decompose%2C%20releasing%20vast%20amounts%20of%20damaging%20methane%20gas.%0A%0AInstead%2C%20the%20city%20has%20struck%20a%20deal%20with%20the%20Amsterdam%20Waste%20and%20Energy%20Company%20(AEB)%2C%20which%20has%20agreed%20to%20take%20900%20tonnes%20of%20rubbish%20per%20week.%0A%0AThe%20waste%20will%20be%20pressed%20into%20huge%20bales%2C%20and%20loaded%20into%2016%20train%20wagons%20for%20the%20long%20journey%20north.%0A%0ARome%20will%20pay%20AEB%20%E2%82%AC200%20per%20tonne%20of%20waste%2C%20according%20to%20Italian%20newspaper%20la%20Reppublica%20-%20around%20%E2%82%AC28%20million%20over%20a%20three%20year%20period.%0A%0AWhat%20are%20the%20environmental%20consequences%20of%20sending%20Roman%20rubbish%20to%20Amsterdam%3F%0A%0ABurning%20waste%20is%20not%20great%20for%20the%20environment.%20Incinerating%20a%20tonne%20of%20municipal%20waste%20releases%20about%201.3%20tonnes%20of%20CO2.%0A%0AWhere%20else%20in%20the%20world%20is%20rubbish%20shipped%3F%0A%0ARubbish%20is%20big%20business.%0A%0AThe%20Netherlands%20took%20in%2024%20million%20tonnes%20of%20rubbish%20in%202020%2C%20according%20to%20the%20Central%20Bureau%20of%20Statistics.%0A%0AWithin%20Europe%2C%20there%20is%20a%20busy%20trade%20of%20rubbish%20between%20cities.%20Hamburg%2C%20for%20example%2C%20takes%20waste%20from%20the%20Netherlands.%20Copenhagen%20imports%20waste%20from%20the%20UK.%20Vienna%20imports%20waste%20from%20Italy%20and%20Germany%2C%20which%20it%20converts%20into%20energy.%0A%0ABut%20much%20of%20the%20EU%E2%80%99s%20waste%20is%20exported%20outside%20of%20the%20bloc%20-%20often%20to%20Turkiye%20and%20India.%0A%0AGlobally%2C%20many%20countries%20import%20millions%20of%20tonnes%20of%20waste.%20Before%202018%2C%20China%20took%20in%20the%20most%20rubbish%20from%20around%20the%20world.%20It%20imported%20around%207.3%20million%20tonnes%20of%20plastic%20waste%20and%2029.9%20million%20tonnes%20of%20paper%20waste%20per%20year.%20The%20government%20has%20since%20imposed%20restrictions%20on%20the%20trade.%0A%0ASeveral%20countries%20suffer%20from%20the%20consequences%20of%20waste%20mismanagement%2C%20when%20rubbish%20is%20shipped%20to%20places%20that%20don%E2%80%99t%20have%20the%20capacity%20to%20deal%20with%20it.%0A%0AIt%20also%20produces%20harmful%20ash%20and%20other%20toxic%20by-products.%0A%0ABut%20dumping%20waste%20in%20landfills%20can%20be%20worse.%20As%20organic%20matter%20decomposes%20without%20oxygen%2C%20it%20produces%20methane%20gas.%20Over%20a%20100%20year%20timespan%2C%20methane%20has%20a%20warming%20potential%20that%20is%20around%2025%20times%20greater%20than%20carbon%20dioxide.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CLandfilling%20of%20residual%20waste%2C%20which%20is%20still%20done%20in%20many%20countries%20in%20Europe%2C%20is%20a%20low-grade%20method%20of%20waste%20disposal%20with%20harmful%20environmental%20consequences%2C%20mainly%20due%20to%20methane%20emissions%2C%E2%80%9D%20AEB%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0AAdditionally%2C%20the%20energy%20produced%20by%20burning%20waste%20can%20be%20harnessed%2C%20whereas%20the%20slow%20release%20of%20energy%20from%20rotting%20trash%20cannot.%0A%0APart%20of%20the%20Amsterdam%20deal%20includes%20a%20condition%20that%20the%20energy%20generated%20from%20this%20rubbish%20will%20heat%20homes%20in%20Amsterdam.%20AEB%20already%20does%20this%20with%20around%2030%2C000%20homes%20in%20the%20city.%0A%0ANeither%20option%20is%20great%20for%20the%20planet%2C%20though.%20A%20sustainable%20approach%20involves%20minimising%20the%20amount%20of%20trash%20produced%20in%20the%20first%20place.

Rome to send 900t rubbish to Amsterdam every week

Sunlight%20beats%20down%20on%20a%20graveyard%20for%20dead%20solar%20panels%20in%20Yuma%2C%20Arizona%2C%20hundreds%20stacked%20in%20neat%20piles%2C%20waiting%20for%20their%20next%20life.%20The%20great%20majority%20of%20worn%20and%20damaged%20panels%20are%20still%20dumped%20in%20landfills.%20But%20with%20more%20and%20more%20piling%20up%2C%20many%20people%20know%20that%20needs%20to%20change.%0A%0AIn%20this%20desert%20city%20where%20Arizona%2C%20California%2C%20Sonora%20and%20Baja%20California%20meet%2C%20North%20America%E2%80%99s%20first%20utility-scale%20solar%20panel%20recycling%20plant%20has%20opened%20to%20address%20what%20founders%20of%20We%20Recycle%20Solar%20call%20a%20%E2%80%9Ctsunami%E2%80%9D%20of%20solar%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Fhot-spots%2Fwaste%2Fall%22%20%3Ewaste%3C%2Fa%3E.%20Plans%20to%20address%20climate%20change%20rely%20on%20massively%20scaling%20up%20clean%2C%20solar%20electricity.%0A%0AThe%20panels%2C%20stacked%20and%20banded%2C%20come%20here%20from%20the%20company's%20main%20collection%20warehouse%20in%20Hackettstown%2C%20New%20Jersey%2C%20plus%20six%20other%20locations%20across%20the%20country.%0A%0AWorkers%20maneuver%20the%20stacks%20into%20the%20sprawling%2075%2C000%20square%20foot%20facility%20on%20forklifts%2C%20then%20gently%20lift%20each%20out%20by%20hand%20to%20begin%20separating%20by%20brand%20and%20model.%20Some%20only%20have%20a%20few%20cracks%20in%20their%20glass%2C%20sometimes%20from%20storm%20damage.%0A%0AThese%20can%20be%20reused%2C%20said%20Adam%20Saghei%2C%20CEO%20of%20We%20Recycle%20Solar%2C%20and%20there%20is%20a%20market%20for%20them%20%E2%80%94%20clients%20around%20the%20world%20who%20search%20for%20refurbished%20panels%20for%20their%20affordability.%20The%20Yuma%20facility%2C%20he%20says%2C%20is%20like%20%E2%80%9Cyour%20local%20thrift%20store%20that%20looks%20to%20upcycle.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ASome%20have%20been%20sold%20for%20example%20at%20the%20store%20Mercados%20Solar%20in%20Carolina%2C%20Puerto%20Rico.%0A%0AThose%20that%20don't%20go%20towards%20testing%20and%20resale%20head%20down%20a%20conveyor%20belt%20where%20glass%2C%20metals%2C%20and%20other%20materials%20with%20value%20are%20separated.%0A%0ASolar%20panels%20are%20built%20to%20withstand%20decades%20of%20harsh%20weather%2C%20so%20it's%20difficult%20to%20break%20the%20resilient%20bonding%20that%20keeps%20them%20together.%20Separating%20the%20glass%20without%20it%20shattering%2C%20for%20example%2C%20is%20a%20challenge.%20But%20with%20robotic%20suction%20arms%20assisted%20by%20workers%2C%20they%20come%20apart.%0A%0ASome%20of%20the%20highest%20value%20materials%20are%20copper%2C%20silver%2C%20aluminum%2C%20glass%2C%20and%20crystalline%20silicon.%20Repurposing%20these%20means%20finding%20new%20uses%20for%20them%2C%20such%20as%20selling%20glass%20to%20companies%20that%20do%20sandblasting.%0A%0AFor%20Saghei%2C%20the%20inspiration%20for%20the%20company%20came%20in%202017.%20He%20was%20working%20in%20the%20computer%20electronic%20waste%20sector%2C%20seeing%20solar%20spread%20across%20warehouse%20roofs%20and%20wondering%20where%20it%20would%20go%20eventually.%20He%20realized%20green%20technology%20doesn't%20stay%20green%20once%20it%20is%20decommissioned%20or%20retired.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CSolar%20energy%20is%20a%20great%20technology%2C%20but%20it%20can%20feed%20a%20whole%20industry%20like%20aluminum%20and%20glass.%20Why%20are%20we%20spending%20tens%20of%20millions%20of%20dollars%20on%20these%20materials%20from%20overseas%20when%20we%20can%20produce%20them%20right%20here%2C%20right%20now%3F%22%20he%20thought.%0A%0ACopper%20is%20one%20metal%20the%20recycling%20yields%2C%20said%20Dwight%20Clark%2C%20director%20of%20compliance%20and%20recycling%20technology%20at%20We%20Recycle%20Solar%2C%20as%20others%20nearby%20sorted%20incoming%20panels.%20%E2%80%9CGranted%2C%20it%E2%80%99s%20not%20a%20lot%20of%20pounds%20per%20solar%20panel.%20But%20when%20we%20do%2010%2C000%20pounds%20of%20solar%20panels%20an%20hour%2C%20we%20end%20up%20with%20a%20hundreds%20pounds%20of%20copper%20an%20hour%20coming%20out%20of%20it%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20aluminum%20...%20could%20come%20back%20as%20more%20solar%20panel%20frames%20or%20it%20could%20go%20into%20the%20flight%20deck%20of%20a%20new%20Boeing%20aircraft.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ABy%202050%2C%20solar%20waste%20will%20total%20some%2078%20million%20tons%20globally%2C%20said%20Mool%20Gupta%2C%20a%20professor%20in%20the%20Department%20of%20Electrical%20and%20Computer%20Engineering%20at%20University%20of%20Virginia.%20The%20reason%20recycling%20and%20recovery%20isn't%20robust%20yet%2C%20Gupta%20said%2C%20is%20that%20companies%20struggle%20to%20justify%20the%20%2430%20per%20panel%20cost%20when%20it%20costs%20only%20%241%20to%20send%20it%20to%20a%20landfill.%0A%0AIf%20we%20hope%20to%20one%20day%20see%20100%25%20of%20retired%20solar%20recycled%2C%20said%20Garvin%20Heath%2C%20distinguished%20member%20of%20the%20research%20staff%20at%20the%20Department%20of%20Energy%E2%80%99s%20National%20Renewable%20Energy%20Laboratory%2C%20%E2%80%9CLet%E2%80%99s%20not%20make%20it%20any%20more%20expensive%20than%20what%20it%20would%20cost%20to%20landfill%20the%20module%20...%20let%E2%80%99s%20not%20have%20it%20cost%20the%20consumer%20anything%20and%20instead%20have%20it%20break%20even%20for%20the%20recycler.%22%0A%0AOther%20companies%20are%20starting%20to%20get%20into%20the%20business.%0A%0ASolarcycle%2C%20a%20startup%20based%20in%20Odessa%2C%20Texas%2C%20raised%20%2430%20million%20earlier%20this%20year%2C%20led%20by%20Fifth%20Wall%2C%20an%20asset%20manager%20focused%20on%20building%20decarbonization.%20And%20Solarpanelrecycling.com%20is%20an%20affiliate%20of%20electronics%20recycler%20PowerHouse%20Recycling.%0A%0AThe%20European%20Union%20has%20rules%20that%20require%20recycling%20of%20electronic%20waste%20under%20its%20Waste%20Electrical%20and%20Electronic%20Waste%20Directive%20(WEEE).%0A%0AMarket%20researcher%20Visiongain%20estimates%20the%20global%20market%20at%20US%20%24138%20million%20for%20last%20year%20and%20growing%20fast%2C%20boosted%20in%20part%20by%20incentives%20offered%20in%20the%20Inflation%20Reduction%20Act%20in%20the%20U.S.%0A%0AAs%20fast%20as%20possible%2C%20Jack%20Groppo%2C%20professor%20of%20mining%20engineering%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Kentucky%2C%20says%2C%20people%20have%20to%20stop%20scrapping%20the%20modules.%20%E2%80%9COnce%20the%20solar%20panels%20go%20into%20the%20landfill%2C%20they%E2%80%99re%20gone%20unless%20we%20go%20back%20and%20mine%20the%20landfill%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%0A%0AGroppo%20estimates%20that%20in%2020%20years%20people%20will%20mine%20landfills%20to%20recover%20valuable%20materials%20in%20the%20junked%20panels%2C%20but%20%E2%80%9Cit%20makes%20an%20awful%20lot%20more%20sense%20for%20us%20to%20separate%20them%20now.%22%0A%0AThe%20Yuma%20facility%20can%20process%207%2C500%20panels%20in%20a%20single%20day%20or%20roughly%2069%20million%20pounds%20per%20year.%20As%20of%20early%20June%2C%20it%20estimates%20more%20than%20650%2C000%20tons%20of%20carbon%20dioxide%20have%20been%20avoided.%20It%20is%20reusing%20about%2060%25%20of%20the%20panels%20that%20come%20in.%0A%0AThe%20company%20plans%20to%20open%20another%20recycling%20facility%20alongside%20a%20large%20solar%20manufacturer%20in%20the%20Georgia%2C%20North%20Carolina%20and%20South%20Carolina%20corridor.%0A%0AFor%20now%2C%20solar%20recycling%20companies%20are%20still%20figuring%20out%20how%20to%20make%20money.%20We%20Recycle%20Solar%20sends%20out%20employees%20to%20dismantle%20large%20solar%20arrays%20and%20that%20is%20currently%20its%20biggest%20source%20of%20revenue.%20Reselling%20refurbished%20solar%20panels%20is%20number%20two%2C%20and%20recycling%20brings%20in%20the%20least.%20Decommissioning%20and%20resale%20are%20actually%20subsidizing%20some%20of%20the%20recycling%20costs%2C%20Saghei%20said.%0A%0ABut%20Gupta%20said%20these%20profitability%20challenges%20are%20temporary%20and%20will%20be%20overcome.%20Researchers%20are%20hard%20at%20work%20on%20solving%20them%2C%20he%20said.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CToo%20many%20lives%20are%20lost%20to%20pollution%20and%20solar%20is%20one%20of%20the%20top%20solutions.%E2%80%9D

  A solar panel recycling industry takes shape

China%2C%20the%20world's%20biggest%20renewable%20equipment%20manufacturer%2C%20will%20set%20up%20a%20recycling%20system%20for%20ageing%20wind%20turbines%20and%20solar%20panels%20as%20it%20tries%20to%20tackle%20the%20growing%20volumes%20of%20waste%20generated%20by%20the%20industry%2C%20the%20state%20planner%20said.%0A%0AChina%20has%20ramped%20up%20its%20wind%20and%20solar%20manufacturing%20capabilities%20in%20a%20bid%20to%20decarbonise%20its%20economy%20and%20ease%20its%20dependence%20on%20coal%2C%20and%20it%20is%20now%20on%20track%20to%20meet%20its%20goal%20to%20bring%20total%20wind%20and%20solar%20capacity%20to%201%2C200%20gigawatts%20(GW)%20by%202030%2C%20up%20from%20758%20GW%20at%20the%20end%20of%20last%20year.%0A%0ABut%20as%20older%20projects%20are%20replaced%20and%20decommissioned%2C%20waste%20volumes%20are%20set%20to%20soar%2C%20with%20large%20amounts%20of%20capacity%20already%20approaching%20retirement%20age%2C%20posing%20big%20environmental%20risks.%0A%0ATo%20cope%20with%20the%20challenge%2C%20China%20will%20draw%20up%20new%20industrial%20standards%20and%20rules%20detailing%20the%20proper%20ways%20to%20decommission%2C%20dismantle%20and%20recycle%20wind%20and%20solar%20facilities%2C%20the%20National%20Development%20and%20Reform%20Commission%2C%20said%20on%20Wednesday.%0A%0AThe%20state%20planning%20agency%20said%20that%20China%20would%20have%20a%20%22basically%20mature%22%20full-process%20recycling%20system%20for%20wind%20turbines%20and%20solar%20panels%20by%20the%20end%20of%20the%20decade.%0A%0APhotovoltaic%20(PV)%20panels%20have%20a%20lifespan%20of%20around%2025%20years%2C%20and%20many%20of%20China's%20projects%20are%20already%20showing%20significant%20signs%20of%20wear%20and%20tear%2C%20China's%20official%20Science%20and%20Technology%20Daily%20newspaper%20said%20in%20June.%0A%0AThe%20paper%20cited%20experts%20as%20saying%20that%20China%20would%20need%20to%20recycle%201.5%20million%20metric%20tons%20of%20PV%20modules%20by%202030%2C%20rising%20to%20around%2020%20million%20tons%20in%202050.%0A%0AThe%20problem%20of%20waste%20from%20the%20renewable%20energy%20sector%20has%20become%20a%20growing%20global%20concern.%20Total%20waste%20from%20solar%20projects%20alone%20could%20reach%20212%20million%20tons%20a%20year%20by%202050%2C%20according%20to%20one%20scenario%20drawn%20up%20by%20the%20International%20Renewable%20Energy%20Agency%20(IRENA)%20last%20year.

China to set up solar, wind recycling system

The%20plastic%20crisis%20is%20undeniable%2C%20but%20solutions%20are%20cropping%20up%20around%20the%20world.%20In%20Kenya%2C%20one%20entrepreneur%20is%20looking%20beyond%20traditional%20recycling%20methods%20to%20create%20an%20eco-friendly%20alternative%20to%20fuel.%0A%0AJames%20Muritu%2C%20the%20brain%20behind%20Progreen%20Innovations%20Limited%2C%20has%20pioneered%20a%20method%20to%20convert%20plastic%20waste%20into%20fuel%20for%20vehicles%20and%20engines.%20Using%20pyrolysis%20%E2%80%93%20a%20process%20that%20heats%20plastic%20in%20an%20oxygen-deprived%20environment%20%E2%80%93%20Muritu%20transforms%20plastics%20back%20into%20an%20oil%20or%20hydrocarbon%20liquid.%20An%20exciting%20by-product%2C%20biochar%2C%20fuels%20the%20furnaces.%0A%0ADiscussing%20his%20innovation%2C%20Muritu%20shares%2C%20%E2%80%9COur%20venture%20creates%20two%20types%20of%20fuel.%20One%20mimics%20petrol%2C%20ideal%20for%20small%20to%20medium-sized%20machinery.%20The%20other%2C%20an%20alternative%20to%20diesel%2C%20powers%20heavy-duty%20engines%2C%20and%20I%20even%20use%20it%20in%20my%20car.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20timing%20couldn%E2%80%99t%20be%20better.%20According%20to%20the%20United%20Nations%20Environment%20Programme%2C%20a%20whopping%20400%20million%20tonnes%20of%20waste%20is%20produced%20annually%2C%20of%20which%20a%20mere%209%25%20gets%20recycled.%20The%20rest%2C%20mainly%20plastics%2C%20end%20up%20in%20landfills%2C%20with%20some%20lingering%20for%20centuries%20due%20to%20their%20robust%20chemical%20makeup.%0A%0ALocal%20sustainability%20consultant%2C%20Nickson%20Otieno%2C%20praises%20Muritu%E2%80%99s%20efforts.%20He%20advocates%20that%20while%20the%20ultimate%20solution%20lies%20in%20not%20producing%20plastics%2C%20existing%20plastic%20waste%20should%20be%20efficiently%20managed.%20%E2%80%9CPyrolysis%20and%20other%20locally-produced%2C%20low-tech%20processes%20like%20Muritu%E2%80%99s%20need%20our%20encouragement%2C%E2%80%9D%20Otieno%20urges.%0A%0AAddressing%20concerns%20about%20harmful%20gas%20emissions%20during%20pyrolysis%2C%20Otieno%20clarifies%20the%20significant%20differences%20between%20this%20method%20and%20traditional%20incineration.%20He%20emphasizes%20that%20pyrolysis%20is%20a%20more%20controlled%20process%2C%20and%20with%20modern%20technologies%2C%20harmful%20emissions%20can%20be%20minimized%20or%20even%20purified.%0A%0AWhile%20the%20fuel%20innovation%20sounds%20promising%2C%20it%E2%80%99s%20not%20available%20in%20the%20market%20yet.%20Awaiting%20the%20green%20light%20from%20the%20Kenya%20Bureau%20of%20Standards%2C%20Muritu%E2%80%99s%20company%20currently%20churns%20out%201%2C000%20liters%20of%20fuel%20every%20couple%20of%20days.%20Impressively%2C%2080%25%20of%20the%20plastic%20waste%20input%20is%20converted%20into%20fuel%2C%20making%20this%20a%20viable%20and%20sustainable%20solution.%0A%0AIn%20a%20world%20grappling%20with%20Pollution%2C%20initiatives%20like%20Progreen%20Innovations%20offer%20a%20glimmer%20of%20hope.%20If%20supported%20and%20scaled%2C%20such%20endeavors%20can%20indeed%20pave%20the%20way%20for%20a%20cleaner%2C%20greener%20planet.

The Kenyan Man Turning Plastic Waste Into Car Fuel

Recycling%20in%20England%20is%20to%20be%20standardised%20from%202026%2C%20with%20all%20homes%2C%20businesses%20and%20schools%20recycling%20the%20same%20materials%2C%20the%20Government%20has%20said.%0A%0AThere%20will%20also%20be%20a%20once-a-week%20minimum%20requirement%20for%20the%20collection%20of%20food%20waste%2C%20which%20the%20Government%20said%20would%20reduce%20the%20amount%20going%20to%20landfill.%0A%0AEnvironment%20Secretary%20Therese%20Coffey%20described%20the%20current%20system%20as%20a%20%E2%80%9Cpostcode%20lottery%E2%80%9D%20whereby%20people%20living%20in%20different%20areas%20are%20not%20able%20to%20recycle%20the%20same%20materials.%0A%0AThe%20District%20Councils%E2%80%99%20Network%20(DCN)%2C%20which%20represents%20many%20local%20authorities%2C%20said%20the%20changes%20will%20result%20in%20higher%20costs%20for%20councils%20but%20welcomed%20the%20decision%20to%20allow%20them%20discretion%20in%20how%20to%20collect%20waste%20in%20their%20areas.%0A%0AThe%20Government%20said%20it%20wants%20to%20simplify%20recycling%20for%20people%20across%20England%2C%20with%20Scotland%2C%20Northern%20Ireland%20and%20Wales%20setting%20their%20own%20policies%20under%20devolution.%0A%0AIt%20is%20also%20proposing%20that%20residual%2C%20meaning%20non-hazardous%20industrial%2C%20waste%20should%20be%20collected%20every%20fortnight%2C%20though%20local%20authorities%20are%20concerned%20this%20would%20result%20in%20higher%20environmental%20costs%20elsewhere%2C%20such%20as%20through%20more%20fuel%20being%20burnt%20in%20transportation.%0A%0AMs%20Coffey%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CSimpler%20recycling%20will%20help%20us%20all%20recycle%20more%20easily%2C%20doing%20our%20bit%20to%20help%20save%20the%20planet%20and%20make%20the%20best%20use%20of%20precious%20resources%20that%20we%20use%20every%20day.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAlongside%20weekly%20food%20waste%20collections%2C%20we%20are%20ending%20the%20postcode%20lottery%20of%20what%20you%20can%20put%20in%20your%20bin%20so%20that%20wherever%20you%20live%20in%20the%20country%2C%20you%20will%20be%20able%20to%20recycle%20the%20same%20products%20with%20confidence.%E2%80%9D%0AThese%20changes%20were%20put%20to%20consultation%20in%202021%20when%20the%20Government%20said%20it%20wants%20to%20eliminate%20all%20reusable%20or%20recyclable%20waste%20going%20to%20landfill%20by%202050.%0A%0AIt%20is%20also%20considering%20expanding%20these%20rules%20to%20cover%20places%20of%20worship%2C%20prisons%2C%20charity%20shops%20and%20residential%20hostels.%0A%0AMinisters%20also%20want%20to%20introduce%20free%20garden%20waste%20collections%20for%20every%20home%20instead%20of%20giving%20councils%20discretion%20on%20whether%20to%20charge%20or%20not%2C%20though%20the%20DCN%20said%20this%20would%20result%20in%20people%20who%20do%20not%20use%20the%20service%20subsidising%20those%20who%20do.%0A%0AThe%20DCN%20also%20warned%20that%20many%20councils%20will%20be%20unable%20to%20procure%20the%20correct%20equipment%20in%20time%20to%20meet%20the%202026%20deadline%20while%20many%20cannot%20afford%20the%20cost%20of%20new%20bins%2C%20vehicle%20fleets%20or%20in%20some%20cases%20larger%20depots.%0A%0ACouncillor%20Sarah%20Nelmes%2C%20the%20DCN%E2%80%99s%20environment%20spokesperson%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CToday%E2%80%99s%20announcement%20that%20councils%20will%20be%20able%20to%20collect%20waste%20materials%20however%20they%20decide%20is%20a%20victory%20for%20common%20sense.%0A%0AIt%20is%20also%20considering%20expanding%20these%20rules%20to%20cover%20places%20of%20worship%2C%20prisons%2C%20charity%20shops%20and%20residential%20hostels.%0A%0AMinisters%20also%20want%20to%20introduce%20free%20garden%20waste%20collections%20for%20every%20home%20instead%20of%20giving%20councils%20discretion%20on%20whether%20to%20charge%20or%20not%2C%20though%20the%20DCN%20said%20this%20would%20result%20in%20people%20who%20do%20not%20use%20the%20service%20subsidising%20those%20who%20do.%0A%0AThe%20DCN%20also%20warned%20that%20many%20councils%20will%20be%20unable%20to%20procure%20the%20correct%20equipment%20in%20time%20to%20meet%20the%202026%20deadline%20while%20many%20cannot%20afford%20the%20cost%20of%20new%20bins%2C%20vehicle%20fleets%20or%20in%20some%20cases%20larger%20depots.%0A%0ACouncillor%20Sarah%20Nelmes%2C%20the%20DCN%E2%80%99s%20environment%20spokesperson%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CToday%E2%80%99s%20announcement%20that%20councils%20will%20be%20able%20to%20collect%20waste%20materials%20however%20they%20decide%20is%20a%20victory%20for%20common%20sense.%0A%0ACurrent%20recycling%20rates%20in%20England%20are%20just%20over%2044%25%20and%20have%20remained%20around%20this%20figure%20for%20the%20last%2010%20years.%0A%0AA%20ban%20on%20single%20use%20plastic%20such%20as%20plates%2C%20trays%2C%20bowls%2C%20balloon%20sticks%20and%20polystyrene%20food%20and%20drinks%20containers%20came%20into%20force%20on%20October%201%20which%20ministers%20hope%20will%20increase%20this%20percentage.%0A%0ACouncillor%20Darren%20Rodwell%2C%20environment%20spokesperson%20for%20the%20Local%20Government%20Association%20(LGA)%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CPublic%20satisfaction%20with%20local%20waste%20services%20remains%20very%20high%2C%20which%20councils%20have%20worked%20hard%20to%20achieve.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWhat%20works%20in%20urban%20centres%20is%20different%20to%20rural%20communities.%20We%20are%20pleased%20the%20Government%20has%20listened%20to%20the%20LGA%20and%20councils%20and%20decided%20not%20to%20significantly%20reduce%20the%20flexibilities%20in%20how%20councils%20collect%20waste%20from%20people%E2%80%99s%20homes.%0A%0A%E2%80%9COur%20national%20ambitions%20for%20waste%20and%20recycling%20will%20only%20be%20achieved%20by%20fully%20empowered%20local%20delivery%2C%20alongside%20measures%20transferring%20the%20costs%20from%20taxpayers%20onto%20the%20waste%20producers.%E2%80%9D

Recycling in England to be standardised from 2026

European%20Union%20lawmakers%20and%20member%20states%20have%20reached%20a%20deal%20to%20revise%20the%20bloc's%20waste%20shipment%20regulation%20and%20end%20exports%20of%20certain%20types%20of%20waste%20to%20third%20countries%20unable%20to%20process%20it%20properly.%0A%0A%22Exports%20of%20certain%20non-hazardous%20wastes%20and%20mixtures%20of%20non-hazardous%20wastes%20(...)%20will%20be%20allowed%20only%20to%20those%20non-OECD%20countries%20that%20consent%20and%20fulfil%20the%20criteria%20to%20treat%20such%20waste%20in%20an%20environmentally%20sound%20manner%22%2C%20the%20Parliament%20said.%0A%0AIt%20added%20that%20compliance%20with%20international%20workers'%20rights%20would%20also%20be%20taken%20into%20account.%0A%0AThe%20European%20Commission%20in%202021%20proposed%20a%20revamp%20of%20EU%20rules%20on%20waste%20shipments%20to%20make%20it%20harder%20for%20member%20states%20to%20offload%20their%20trash%20into%20poorer%20countries.%0A%0A%22The%20EU%20will%20finally%20assume%20responsibility%20for%20its%20plastic%20waste%20by%20banning%20its%20export%20to%20non-OECD%20countries%22%2C%20Danish%20lawmaker%20Pernille%20Weiss%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0AEU%20countries%20must%20stop%20shipping%20plastic%20waste%20to%20poorer%20nations%20within%20two%20and%20a%20half%20years%20of%20the%20legislation%20coming%20into%20force%2C%20the%20Parliament%20said%2C%20adding%20that%20rules%20for%20plastic%20waste%20exports%20to%20countries%20inside%20the%20OECD%20-%20the%20group%20of%20the%20world's%20main%20rich%20countries%20-%20will%20also%20be%20tightened.%0A%0AIn%20previous%20years%2C%20around%20half%20of%20the%20EU's%20waste%20exports%20went%20to%20non-OECD%20countries%20with%20weaker%20waste%20management%20rules%20than%20in%20the%20EU%20-%20effectively%20shipping%20EU%20pollution%20abroad.

EU blocks plastic waste shipments to poor nations

Greenpeace%20has%20announced%20The%20Big%20Plastic%20Count%20for%202024%2C%20a%20week-long%20initiative%20to%20combat%20household%20plastic%20waste%20in%20the%20UK.%0A%0ATaking%20place%20from%20March%2011-17%2C%20The%20Big%20Plastic%20Count%20will%20bring%20together%20thousands%20of%20schools%2C%20businesses%2C%20and%20households%20across%20the%20country%20in%20an%20effort%20to%20reduce%20UK%20plastic%20waste.%0A%0ABuilding%20on%20the%20success%20of%20The%20Big%20Plastic%20Count%20in%202022%2C%20this%20year%E2%80%99s%20initiative%20arrives%20at%20a%20time%20when%20the%20plastic%20waste%20landscape%20is%20at%20its%20peak.%0A%0AWith%20nations%20working%20to%20align%20global%20rules%20for%20plastic%20reduction%20and%20phasing%20out%20single-use%20plastics%20under%20The%20Global%20Plastics%20Treaty%2C%20Greenpeace%20is%20aiming%20to%20drive%20government%20action%20to%20accelerate%20UK%20plastic%20waste%20reduction.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EPlastic%20waste%3A%20An%20urgent%20global%20threat%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0APlastic%20is%20everywhere%20%E2%80%93%20from%20packaging%20our%20groceries%20to%20making%20clothes%20we%20wear.%20But%20its%20convenience%20comes%20at%20a%20steep%20environmental%20cost.%0A%0A350%20million%20tons%20of%20plastic%20waste%20are%20generated%20globally%20each%20year%2C%20with%20only%209%25%20recycled.%20That%E2%80%99s%20like%20dumping%202%2C000%20garbage%20trucks%20full%20of%20plastic%20into%20our%20oceans%2C%20rivers%2C%20and%20landfills%20every%20single%20day!%0A%0A19-23%20million%20tons%20of%20plastic%20leak%20into%20aquatic%20ecosystems%20annually%2C%20harming%20marine%20life%20and%20impacting%20millions%20of%20livelihoods%2C%20with%20plastic%20waste%20expected%20to%20double%20by%202050%20if%20we%20don%E2%80%99t%20act%20now.%0A%0AThe%20impact%20is%20real.%20Plastic%20pollution%20threatens%20biodiversity%2C%20with%20countless%20animals%20ingesting%20or%20getting%20entangled%20in%20it.%0A%0AMoreover%2C%20microplastics%2C%20tiny%20fragments%20of%20plastic%2C%20are%20now%20found%20in%20everything%20from%20the%20deepest%20trenches%20to%20the%20Arctic%20ice.%20Their%20long-term%20health%20effects%20on%20humans%20and%20ecosystems%20are%20unknown.%0A%0APlastic%20also%20breaks%20down%20into%20harmful%20chemicals%20that%20can%20leach%20into%20soil%20and%20water%2C%20contaminating%20our%20food%20and%20water%20supply.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EWhat%20we%20learned%20from%202022%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AThe%20Big%20Plastic%20Count%202022%20uncovered%20concerning%20statistics%20about%20the%20UK%20plastic%20waste%20landscape%2C%20with%20a%20lot%20of%20plastic%20either%20being%20burned%2C%20dumped%20in%20other%20countries%2C%20or%20not%20recycled%20at%20all.%0A%0AThe%20initiative%20found%20that%20only%2012%25%20of%20UK%20plastic%20waste%20is%20recycled%2C%20with%2046%25%20of%20it%20being%20incinerated%2C%20releasing%20harmful%20emissions%2C%20pollutants%2C%20and%20toxins%20into%20the%20environment%20and%20exposing%20those%20who%20live%20nearby.%0A%0AThis%20year%E2%80%99s%20scheme%20aims%20to%20urge%20UK%20ministers%2C%20supermarkets%2C%20and%20big%20brands%20to%20take%20action%20in%20this%20global%20fight.%0A%0A

Big Plastic Count 2024 to tackle UK plastic waste

Researchers%20from%20Aarhus%20University%20in%20Denmark%20have%20created%20a%20new%20technology%20that%20may%20help%20boost%20garment%20recycling%20rates.%0A%0AThe%20technology%20can%20help%20remove%20the%20material%20elastane%20from%20nylon%2C%20a%20common%20fabric%20blend%20for%20clothing%20like%20leggings%20and%20other%20activewear%2C%20shapewear%20and%20swimwear.%20But%20elastane%20in%20particular%20can%20be%20difficult%20to%20separate%20out%20from%20other%20fabric%20materials.%0A%0AThe%20researchers%20published%20their%20findings%20in%20the%20journal%20Green%20Chemistry.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20many%20links%20in%20the%20elastane%20chain%20are%20bound%20together%20by%20a%20small%20molecule%20called%20a%20diamine.%20By%20heating%20the%20clothes%20to%20225%20degrees%20Celsius%20and%20adding%20a%20specific%20alcohol%2C%20we%20have%20found%20a%20method%20to%20break%20down%20the%20bonds%20in%20elastane.%20When%20this%20happens%2C%20the%20chains%20fall%20apart%20and%20the%20materials%20separate%2C%E2%80%9D%20explained%20Steffan%20Kvist%20Kristensen%2C%20an%20assistant%20processor%20at%20the%20Interdisciplinary%20Nanoscience%20Center%20at%20Aarhus%20University.%0A%0AThe%20process%20takes%20a%20little%20over%20four%20hours%2C%20according%20to%20Kristensen.%20So%20far%2C%20the%20research%20team%20has%20tested%20the%20method%20on%20up%20to%20two%20pairs%20of%20nylon%20stockings%20at%20a%20time%2C%20and%20they%20are%20still%20working%20to%20find%20ways%20to%20separate%20elastane%20from%20other%20materials%2C%20like%20cotton.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99re%20not%20quite%20there%20yet%20with%20cotton%2C%20because%20some%20of%20the%20cotton%20fibres%20are%20broken%20down%20in%20the%20process%2C%E2%80%9D%20Kristensen%20said%20in%20a%20press%20release.%20%E2%80%9CBut%20we%20believe%20that%2C%20with%20some%20minor%20adjustments%2C%20we%20can%20solve%20this%20problem.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AToday%2C%20there%20are%20many%20challenges%20with%20clothing%20recycling%2C%20and%20only%20about%201%25%20of%20old%20clothing%20textiles%20are%20recycled%20into%20new%20clothing%20items%2C%20according%20to%20the%20Ellen%20MacArthur%20Foundation.%20The%20numbers%20are%20slightly%20higher%20in%20Denmark%2C%20with%206%25%20of%20garments%20being%20recycled%2C%20but%20still%20far%20lower%20than%20recycling%20rates%20for%20other%20materials%2C%20including%20plastic%20packaging%2C%20in%20the%20country.%0A%0AOld%20garments%20may%20be%20recycled%20with%20the%20content%20tags%20removed%20or%20faded%2C%20making%20it%20more%20difficult%20to%20determine%20what%20fiber%20or%20fibers%20from%20which%20each%20item%20is%20made.%20Further%2C%20fiber%20blends%20in%20a%20piece%20of%20clothing%20are%20hard%20to%20separate%20out%20for%20proper%20recycling%2C%20The%20Sustainable%20Fashion%20Forum%20reported.%0A%0AIncreasing%20innovations%20in%20recycling%2C%20such%20as%20the%20method%20developed%20by%20researchers%20from%20Aarhus%20University%2C%20may%20make%20textile%20recycling%20easier%20and%20more%20common%20in%20the%20future.%20This%20will%20be%20important%20for%20reducing%20fashion%20waste%20and%2C%20ultimately%2C%20the%20industry%E2%80%99s%20emissions.%0A%0AThe%20fashion%20industry%20is%20the%20second-highest%20polluting%20industry%20on%20Earth%2C%20after%20oil%20and%20gas%2C%20according%20to%20a%202022%20study.%20As%20reported%20by%20UN%20Climate%20Change%2C%20the%20fashion%20industry%20is%20responsible%20for%20about%2010%25%20of%20all%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%20globally%2C%20which%20will%20have%20to%20change%20to%20limit%20global%20warming%20to%201.5%20degrees%20Celsius%20above%20pre-industrial%20levels%20as%20outlined%20in%20the%20Paris%20Agreement.%0A%0AThe%20authors%20of%20the%20study%20noted%20that%20they%E2%80%99ve%20only%20tested%20the%20mixed-fiber%20recycling%20method%20at%20a%20small-scale%20and%20will%20need%20to%20work%20with%20facilities%20outside%20of%20Denmark%20that%20have%20the%20capacity%20to%20scale-up%20the%20process.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20chemical%20industry%20in%20Denmark%20is%20small%2C%20but%20Germany%20has%20some%20of%20the%20largest%20plants%20in%20the%20world.%20They%20will%20most%20likely%20be%20able%20to%20use%20our%20method%20to%20recycle%20large%20amounts%20of%20fibres%20from%20elastane-containing%20clothes%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Steffan%20Kvist%20Kristensen%2C%20an%20assistant%20processor%20at%20the%20Interdisciplinary%20Nanoscience%20Center%20at%20Aarhus%20University.%20%E2%80%9CIf%20we%E2%80%99re%20to%20succeed%20with%20this%2C%20we%20need%20to%20get%20the%20large%20chemical%20plants%20on%20board.%20But%20they%20must%20see%20a%20business%20model%20in%20buying%20recycled%20materials%20and%20using%20them%20in%20the%20production%20of%20new%20fibres.%20If%20they%20don%E2%80%99t%2C%20the%20technology%20will%20never%20take%20off.%E2%80%9D

Innovation enables mixed fabric recycling

Reduce%2C%20reuse%2C%20recycle%2C%20and%20repurpose%3A%20These%20are%20all%20ways%20we%20can%20live%20more%20sustainably.%20One%20tricky%20aspect%20of%20recycling%2C%20though%2C%20is%20that%20sometimes%20the%20recycling%20process%20is%20chemically%20intensive%2C%20and%20this%20is%20the%20case%20for%20recycling%20one%20of%20the%20world's%20most%20abundant%20materials%E2%80%94chitin.%0A%0AYangchao%20Luo%20from%20UConn's%20College%20of%20Agriculture%2C%20Health%2C%20and%20Natural%20Resources%20and%20his%20group%20have%20tackled%20this%20problem%20and%20found%20a%20way%20to%20recover%20chitin%20from%20seafood%20waste%20sustainably.%20Their%20findings%20are%20published%20in%20the%20International%20Journal%20of%20Biological%20Macromolecules.%0A%0AChitin%20is%20the%20second%20most%20abundant%20biological%20polymer%20on%20Earth%2C%20with%20an%20estimated%20100%20billion%20tons%20produced%20each%20year%20by%20fungi%20or%20creatures%20like%20insects%20and%20crustaceans%2C%20second%20to%20cellulose%20which%20is%20created%20by%20plants.%20Just%20like%20cellulose%2C%20in%20purified%20forms%2C%20chitin%20can%20be%20used%20for%20many%20things%2C%20from%20food%20packaging%20and%20other%20durable%20and%20compostable%20single-use%20materials%20to%20fertilizers%20and%20cosmetics.%0A%0ALuo%20explains%20that%20chitin%20is%20a%20new%20research%20area%20he%20and%20his%20group%20started%20to%20explore%20after%20a%20company%20reached%20out%20for%20help%20trying%20to%20figure%20out%20a%20way%20to%20deal%20with%20the%20tons%20of%20seafood%20waste%20they%20generate.%20The%20company%20found%20Luo%20because%20he%20works%20with%20a%20derivative%20of%20chitin%20called%20chitosan%2C%20and%20they%20thought%20he%20might%20be%20able%20to%20lend%20his%20expertise.%0A%0A%22The%20typical%20practice%20for%20dealing%20with%20seafood%20waste%20is%20to%20simply%20dump%20it%20into%20the%20landfill%2C%20or%20back%20into%20the%20ocean%2C%20or%20to%20compost%20it%2C%22%20says%20Luo.%0A%0AThe%20trouble%20with%20these%20disposal%20practices%20is%20that%20the%20excess%20nutrients%20from%20the%20materials%20get%20into%20the%20waterways%2C%20which%20can%20lead%20to%20a%20process%20called%20eutrophication%2C%20where%20algae%20populations%20thrive%20on%20the%20excess%20nutrients%20while%20consuming%20vast%20amounts%20of%20available%20oxygen.%20This%20leads%20to%20%22dead%20zones%22%20where%20marine%20and%20aquatic%20life%20cannot%20survive.%20Finding%20a%20way%20to%20help%20reshape%20this%20waste%20stream%20was%20an%20intriguing%20challenge%2C%20says%20Luo.%0A%0A%22This%20also%20interested%20me%20because%20it%20aligns%20well%20with%20our%20college's%20strategic%20vision.%20I'm%20the%20co-chair%20of%20the%20Ensuring%20a%20Vibrant%20and%20Sustainable%20Agricultural%20Industry%20and%20Food%20Supply%20Committee.%20I%20thought%20that%20this%20is%20a%20good%20topic%20to%20explore%20about%20sustainability.%22%0A%0ALuo%20tasked%20two%20Ph.D.%20students%20in%20his%20research%20group%20to%20begin%20addressing%20this%20problem%2C%20and%20they%20started%20by%20reading%20about%20current%20chitin%20processing%20methods.%20They%20quickly%20learned%20traditional%20methods%20to%20extract%20and%20process%20chitinous%20waste%20using%20large%20quantities%20of%20strong%20acids%20and%20bases%2C%20and%20it%20is%20considered%20such%20a%20polluting%20industry%20that%20there%20are%20no%20facilities%20that%20do%20this%20processing%20in%20the%20United%20States.%0A%0ASince%20chitin%20is%20a%20very%20high%20molecular%20weight%20polysaccharide%2C%20traditional%20processing%20techniques%20rely%20on%20caustic%20chemicals%20to%20break%20it%20down.%20Additionally%2C%20it%20is%20also%20very%20water-intensive%20because%20of%20the%20need%20to%20dilute%20and%20neutralize%20the%20solvents%20after%20the%20extraction.%0A%0AIn%20Luo's%20lab%2C%20he%20says%20they%20typically%20approach%20these%20challenges%20using%20chemicals%20found%20naturally%2C%20oftentimes%20in%20food.%20They%20focused%20on%20malic%20acid%2C%20which%20is%20found%20in%20apples%3B%20lactic%20acid%2C%20which%20can%20be%20found%20in%20fermented%20foods%3B%20choline%20chloride%2C%20which%20is%20a%20salt%20often%20used%20as%20a%20food%20additive%3B%20and%20glycerol%2C%20which%20is%20often%20used%20as%20a%20sugar%20substitute.%0A%0AThese%20are%20all%20very%20common%20and%20versatile%20chemicals%20that%20are%20also%20physiologically%20and%20biologically%20compatible%20with%20the%20environment%20and%20chosen%20with%20chitin's%20hydrogen%20bonds%20in%20mind.%0A%0A%22We%20thought%20about%20hydrogen%20bonds.%20Many%20basic%20types%20of%20biomass%2C%20including%20chitin%2C%20cannot%20be%20dissolved%20in%20water%20because%20of%20the%20existence%20of%20strong%20hydrogen%20bonds%20within%20their%20molecular%20structure%2C%20so%20they%20don't%20react%20with%20water%2C%22%20says%20Luo.%0A%0A%22From%20a%20chemistry%20perspective%2C%20if%20you%20want%20to%20dissolve%20something%20in%20water%20or%20make%20it%20water%20soluble%2C%20it%20must%20form%20a%20hydrogen%20bond%20with%20water.%20In%20other%20words%2C%20if%20this%20compound%20cannot%20form%20a%20hydrogen%20bond%20with%20water%2C%20it%20cannot%20be%20dissolved%2C%20so%20they%20don't%20interact%20with%20water.%22%0A%0ALuo%20explains%20that%20glycerol%20acts%20as%20a%20hydrogen%20donor%2C%20and%20choline%20chloride%20acts%20as%20a%20hydrogen%20acceptor.%20When%20paired%20with%20either%20of%20the%20acids%20(malic%20or%20lactic%20acid)%2C%20the%20combination%20of%20these%20three%20components%20forms%20a%20viscous%20solution%20called%20ternary%20deep%20eutectic%20solvents%20(TDESs).%0A%0A%22We%20found%20that%20such%20TDESs%20are%20particularly%20effective%20in%20disrupting%20the%20hydrogen%20bonds%20that%20hold%20the%20structural%20components%20of%20the%20biomass%20together%2C%22%20Luo%20says.%0A%0A%22By%20weakening%20these%20bonds%2C%20the%20TDES%20facilitates%20the%20separation%20of%20chitin%20from%20other%20constituents%20like%20proteins%20and%20calcium%20carbonate.%20The%20unique%20properties%20of%20TDESs%20allow%20for%20the%20selective%20extraction%20of%20chitin%20and%20it%20can%20be%20designed%20to%20primarily%20dissolve%20unwanted%20components%20such%20as%20proteins%20and%20minerals%2C%20leaving%20behind%20a%20purified%20form%20of%20chitin.%22%0A%0A%22This%20selectivity%20is%20due%20to%20the%20specific%20interactions%20between%20the%20TDES%20components%20and%20the%20biomass%20constituents.%20By%20precisely%20adjusting%20the%20proportions%20of%20the%20three%20components%20in%20TDES%2C%20we%20can%20disrupt%20the%20hydrogen%20bonding%20interactions%20within%20the%20biomass.%20This%20approach%20allows%20for%20an%20innovative%20method%20of%20processing%20chitinous%20seafood%20waste.%22%0A%0AWhen%20compared%20with%20the%20chitin%20they%20purchase%20from%20the%20scientific%20supply%20company%2C%20he%20says%20the%20lab-purified%20product%20is%20almost%20identical.%20Additionally%2C%20by%20adjusting%20the%20ratios%2C%20they%20can%20control%20the%20degree%20to%20which%20the%20chitin%20is%20processed%20and%20can%2C%20therefore%2C%20'fine-tune'%20the%20molecular%20weight%20of%20the%20final%20product.%0A%0A%22The%20traditional%20chemical%20processes%20that%20use%20a%20lot%20of%20acid%20and%20base%20to%20process%20and%20extract%20chitin%20usually%20produce%20chitin%20with%20a%20small%20molecular%20weight%20that%20may%20have%20limited%20applications%2C%22%20Luo%20says.%20%22With%20our%20mild%20malic%20acid%20or%20lactic%20acid%2C%20we%20can%20produce%20chitin%20with%20controllable%20molecular%20weight.%20We%20can%20make%20the%20molecular%20weight%20of%20300%20to%20100%2C000%20kilo%20Daltons%2C%20depending%20on%20our%20purpose%20for%20future%20applications.%20This%20is%20one%20of%20the%20most%20novel%20aspects%20of%20this%20technology.%0A%0A%22The%20other%20novelty%20is%20now%20we're%20working%20on%20an%20ultrasonication%20process%20that%20can%20be%20incorporated%20into%20the%20extraction%20process%20to%20turn%20the%20chitin%20into%20nano%20chitin.%20The%20process%20disentangles%20the%20chitin%20fibers%20into%20the%20nanoscale.%22%0A%0AAnother%20benefit%20of%20this%20extraction%20method%20is%20that%20since%20the%20solvents%20are%20food-derived%20and%20mild%2C%20they%20do%20not%20require%20neutralizing%20with%20copious%20amounts%20of%20water%20before%20they%20can%20be%20safely%20disposed%20of.%20They%20can%20be%20reused%20at%20least%20three%20times%20before%20they%20lose%20their%20extractive%20capacity%2C%20making%20the%20process%20lower-cost%20and%20more%20environmentally%20friendly.%0A%0ANow%20with%20a%20provisional%20patent%20with%20UConn's%20Technology%20Commercialization%20Service%2C%20Luo's%20group%20is%20partnering%20with%20an%20agricultural%20company%20to%20test%20if%20chitin%20at%20different%20molecular%20weights%20and%20nano%20chitin%20can%20be%20used%20for%20crop%20production.%0A%0A%22We%20hypothesize%20that%20this%20nano%20chitin%20fiber%20will%20be%20able%20to%20be%20absorbed%20by%20the%20plant%20for%20better%20plant%20production%20or%20biostimulant%20functions%20in%20the%20soil%20or%20as%20a%20kind%20of%20fertilizer%2C%22%20says%20Luo.%0A%0ABy%20collaborating%20with%20Assistant%20Professor%20of%20Innovation%20and%20Entrepreneurship%20Minyu%20Qiao's%20group%2C%20the%20two%20teams%20are%20applying%20this%20approach%20to%20other%20materials%2C%20including%20seaweed%2C%20to%20extract%20and%20purify%20alginate.%20The%20typical%20process%20for%20this%20purification%20is%20long%20and%20complicated%2C%20but%20Luo%20says%20this%20TDES%20system%20reduces%20the%20multiday%20extraction%20to%20a%20process%20that%20takes%20about%20a%20few%20hours.%20By%20cleaning%20up%20and%20simplifying%20these%20processes%2C%20Luo%20has%20high%20hopes%20for%20the%20future%20with%20this%20system%2C%0A%0A%22We%20are%20hoping%20that%20we%20can%20turn%20this%20trash%20into%20a%20treasure%E2%80%94or%20at%20least%20into%20value-added%20products.%22

Turning seafood waste into value-added products

Researchers%20at%20Hokkaido%20University%20have%20taken%20a%20significant%20step%20forward%20in%20the%20drive%20to%20make%20recyclable%20yet%20stable%20plastics%20from%20plant%20materials.%20This%20is%20a%20key%20requirement%20to%20reduce%20the%20burden%20of%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Flist%2FNGO%2Fplastic%2520pollution%2Fall%22%3Eplastic%20pollution%20in%20the%20environment%3C%2Fa%3E.%20They%20developed%20a%20convenient%20and%20versatile%20method%20to%20make%20a%20variety%20of%20polymers%20from%20chemicals%20derived%20from%20plant%20cellulose%3B%20crucially%2C%20these%20polymers%20can%20be%20fully%20recycled.%20The%20method%20was%20published%20in%20the%20journal%20ACS%20Macro%20Letters.%0A%0ACellulose%20is%20one%20of%20the%20most%20abundant%20components%20of%20biomass%20derived%20from%20plants%2C%20being%20a%20key%20part%20of%20the%20tough%20cell%20walls%20surrounding%20all%20plant%20cells.%20It%20can%20be%20readily%20obtained%20from%20plant%20wastes%2C%20such%20as%20straw%20and%20sawdust%2C%20therefore%2C%20using%20it%20as%20a%20feedstock%20for%20polymer%20manufacture%20should%20not%20reduce%20the%20availability%20of%20agricultural%20land%20for%20food%20production.%0A%0ACellulose%20is%20a%20long-chain%20polysaccharide%20polymer%2C%20meaning%20that%20it%20is%20composed%20of%20multiple%20sugar%20groups%2C%20specifically%20glucose%2C%20linked%20together%20by%20chemical%20bonds.%0A%0ATo%20make%20their%20new%20polymers%2C%20the%20Hokkaido%20team%20used%20two%20commercially%20available%20small%20molecules%2C%20levoglucosenone%20(LGO)%20and%20dihydrolevoglucosenone%20(Cyrene)%2C%20which%20are%20made%20from%20cellulose.%20They%20developed%20novel%20chemical%20processes%20to%20convert%20LGO%20and%20Cyrene%20into%20a%20variety%20of%20unnatural%20polysaccharide%20polymers.%20Varying%20the%20precise%20chemical%20structure%20of%20the%20polymers%20offers%20the%20ability%20to%20generate%20different%20materials%20for%20a%20range%20of%20possible%20applications.%0A%0A%22Our%20biggest%20challenges%20were%20controlling%20the%20polymerization%20reaction%20that%20links%20the%20smaller%20monomer%20molecules%20together%2C%20and%20obtaining%20polysaccharides%20materials%20that%20are%20sufficiently%20stable%20for%20common%20applications%20while%20still%20able%20to%20be%20broken%20up%20and%20recycled%20by%20specific%20chemical%20conditions%2C%22%20says%20Assistant%20Professor%20Feng%20Li%2C%20a%20corresponding%20author.%0A%0ALi%20adds%20that%20the%20biggest%20surprise%20during%20the%20research%20was%20the%20high%20transparency%20of%20the%20polymer%20films%20they%20made%2C%20which%20might%20be%20crucial%20for%20the%20kind%20of%20specialist%20applications%20that%20these%20polymers%20seem%20most%20suited%20for.%20%22As%20the%20materials%20are%20quite%20rigid%20it%20may%20be%20difficult%20to%20use%20them%20as%20flexible%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Flist%2Fbusiness%2Fplastic%2520biodegradable%2Fall%22%3Eplastic%20materials%3C%2Fa%3E%2C%20such%20as%20plastic%20bags%2C%20so%20I%20expect%20they%20will%20be%20more%20suited%20for%20high-performance%20materials%20for%20optical%2C%20electronic%2C%20and%20biomedical%20applications%2C%22%20Professor%20Toshifumi%20Satoh%2C%20the%20other%20corresponding%20author%2C%20adds.%0A%0AOther%20research%20groups%20around%20the%20world%20are%20also%20exploring%20the%20potential%20for%20making%20plastic-replacing%20polymers%20from%20plants%2C%20and%20some%20such%20'bioplastics'%20are%20already%20commercially%20available%2C%20but%20Satoh's%20group%20has%20added%20a%20significant%20new%20opportunity%20to%20this%20fast-developing%20field.%0A%0AThe%20team%20now%20plans%20to%20explore%20further%20possibilities%2C%20but%20the%20feasible%20structural%20variations%20are%20so%20numerous%20that%20they%20would%20like%20to%20join%20forces%20with%20specialists%20in%20computational%20chemistry%2C%20artificial%20intelligence%20and%20automated%20synthesis%20to%20explore%20the%20options.%0A%0A%22We%20hope%20this%20work%20will%20develop%20a%20wide%20variety%20of%20useful%20unnatural%20polysaccharide%20polymers%20to%20become%20part%20of%20a%20sustainable%20closed%20loop%20of%20synthesis%20from%20biomass%20with%20efficient%20recycling%2C%22%20Li%20concludes.

New route to recyclable polymers from plants

Football%20shirts%2C%20sports%20event%20banners%20and%20uniforms%20are%20piled%20up%20ready%20to%20be%20pumped%20into%20a%20machine%20which%20melts%20them%20down%20for%20recycling%20ready%20to%20be%20made%20into%20new%20clothes.%0A%0AIn%20a%20world%20first%20in%20Kettering%2C%20Northamptonshire%2C%20Project%20Re%3Aclaim%20is%20taking%20technology%20used%20for%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Flist%2Fbusiness%2Fplastic%2520biodegradable%2Fall%22%3Erecycling%20plastic%20bottles%3C%2Fa%3E%20and%20adapting%20it%20to%20reprocess%20polyester%20textiles%20into%20granules%20that%20can%20be%20turned%20back%20into%20yarn%20for%20new%20clothes.%0A%0AThe%20joint%20venture%20between%20the%20Salvation%20Army%20and%20recycling%20specialist%20Project%20Plan%20B%20uses%20items%20from%20the%20charity%E2%80%99s%20sorting%20centre%2C%20which%20separates%20out%20the%2010-20%25%20of%20donated%20items%20that%20cannot%20be%20resold%20according%20to%20type%20of%20textile.%20Infrared%20sensors%20pick%20out%20wool%2C%20cotton%20and%20nylon%20items%20that%20can%20be%20sent%20off%20to%20experimental%20reprocessors%20and%20yarn%20makers%20around%20the%20world%20%E2%80%93%20including%20polyester%20for%20the%20pellet-making%20machine.%0A%0AProject%20Re%3Aclaim%20expects%20to%20recycle%202%2C500%20tonnes%20of%20waste%20this%20year%20and%20to%20double%20that%20in%202025.%20It%20is%20working%20with%20big%20retailers%2C%20including%20Tesco%20and%20John%20Lewis%2C%20as%20well%20as%20specialist%20manufacturers%20such%20as%20school%20uniform%20maker%20David%20Luke%2C%20which%20encourage%20suppliers%20to%20use%20the%20recycled%20polyester.%0A%0AThe%20venture%2C%20partly%20funded%20by%20a%20government-backed%20grant%2C%20is%20part%20of%20a%20movement%20aimed%20at%20tackling%20the%20enormous%20pile%20of%20unwanted%20and%20unwearable%20clothing%20that%20is%20sent%20to%20landfill%20or%20for%20incineration%20every%20year%2C%20and%20the%20high%20carbon%20emissions%20of%20the%20fashion%20industry.%0A%0AIn%20the%20UK%2C%20about%20half%20of%20the%201.45m%20tonnes%20of%20used%20textiles%20generated%20annually%20ends%20up%20in%20the%20household%20bin%20and%20is%20mostly%20incinerated%2C%20according%20to%20a%20report%20by%20the%20government%20recycling%20body%2C%20Wrap.%20A%20further%20650%2C000%20tonnes%20is%20sent%20for%20reuse%20or%20recycling%20but%20most%20of%20that%20goes%20into%20making%20products%20such%20as%20fillings%20for%20mattresses%20or%20car%20doors%2C%20which%20are%20also%20likely%20to%20end%20up%20in%20landfill.%20Just%2020%25%20of%20used%20textiles%20is%20sold%20for%20clothing.%0A%0AMore%20than%20420%2C000%20tonnes%20of%20unwanted%20items%20are%20sent%20overseas%2C%20where%20they%20can%20end%20their%20days%20in%20unregulated%20landfill%20or%20strewn%20across%20the%20beaches%20of%20Ghana%20and%20the%20dunes%20of%20the%20Atacama%20desert%20in%20Chile.%0A%0AThe%20industry%20has%20been%20slow%20to%20tackle%20the%20problem%2C%20with%20some%20projects%20brewing%20for%20more%20than%20a%20decade%20and%20one%20major%20facility%20recently%20going%20bust.%20However%2C%20industry%20watchers%20say%20now%20the%20used-textiles-to-yarn%20industry%20is%20set%20for%20rapid%20expansion%20as%20legislation%20and%20consumer%20pressure%20combine%20to%20force%20major%20retailers%20to%20act.%0A%0A%22I%E2%80%99m%20expecting%20rapid%20change%20from%20this%20point%2C%E2%80%9Days%20Prof%20Parik%20Goswami%2C%20director%20of%20the%20technical%20textiles%20research%20centre%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Huddersfield.%20%E2%80%9COver%20the%20next%2010%20years%20we%20will%20see%20an%20absolute%20revolution.%22%0A%0ACountries%20in%20Africa%20and%20Asia%20that%20once%20accepted%20used%20clothing%20from%20the%20west%20are%20pushing%20back%2C%20while%20retailers%E2%80%99%20environmental%20targets%2C%20created%20under%20pressure%20from%20customers%2C%20have%20begun%20to%20loom%20large.%20Change%20has%20been%20accelerated%20by%20EU%20legislation%2C%20due%20next%20year%2C%20under%20which%20states%20must%20organise%20separate%20textile%20collection%2C%20and%20a%20proposal%20for%20brands%20to%20pay%20for%20handling%20waste.%20France%20and%20the%20Netherlands%20are%20already%20bringing%20in%20stringent%20measures%20on%20the%20handling%20of%20used%20textiles.%0A%0AIn%20the%20UK%2C%20MPs%20last%20month%20began%20re-examining%20plans%20requiring%20retailers%20and%20brands%20to%20pay%20towards%20the%20recycling%20of%20used%20clothing%20and%20household%20textiles.%20That%20would%20be%20a%20step%20on%20from%20voluntary%20agreements%20already%20in%20place%2C%20which%20include%20the%20Textiles%202030%20deal%20to%20reduce%20carbon%20emissions%20and%20the%20ACT%20UK%20project%20to%20develop%20locally%20based%20material%20recycling.%0A%0AMarks%20%26%20Spencer%20kicked%20off%20a%20new%20initiative%20with%20Oxfam%20under%20which%20it%20is%20asking%20for%20donations%20of%20unwearable%20items%20for%20reprocessing.%20It%20plans%20for%20at%20least%20some%20of%20those%20items%20to%20be%20recyled%20into%20new%20textiles%20and%20others%20to%20be%20upcycled%2C%20but%20full%20details%20have%20not%20been%20confirmed.%0A%0AEarlier%20this%20month%2C%20H%26M%20told%20MPs%20it%20was%20aiming%20for%20half%20of%20its%20materials%20to%20be%20recycled%20by%202030%20%E2%80%93%20up%20from%20just%20over%20a%20fifth%20at%20present.%20It%20wants%20all%20of%20its%20polyester%20to%20be%20recycled%2C%20up%20from%20just%20under%2080%25%20last%20year.%20That%20polyester%20all%20comes%20from%20plastic%20bottles%20at%20present%2C%20but%20the%20company%20has%20formed%20a%20joint%20venture%2C%20Syre%2C%20which%20it%20says%20will%20set%20up%20a%20blueprint%20polyester%20textile%20recycling%20centre%20in%20the%20US%20this%20year%20and%2011%20more%20by%202032.%0A%0AMaking%20old%20clothes%20into%20yarn%20is%20not%20new%3A%20shoddy%20was%20the%20name%20of%20the%20wool%20cloth%20made%20from%20yarn%20spun%20from%20shredded%20textiles%20in%20the%201800s.%20In%202011%2C%20M%26S%20worked%20with%20Oxfam%20and%20a%20mill%20in%20Italy%20to%20collect%20and%20reprocess%20cashmere%20knitwear%20to%20be%20remade%20into%20coats%2C%20but%20the%20trial%20quietly%20ended%20after%20it%20could%20not%20find%20enough%20unwanted%20knitwear%20to%20reprocess.%0A%0AToday%2C%20many%20hi-tech%20options%20are%20springing%20up%20around%20the%20world.%20Forestry%20group%20S%C3%B6dra%20in%20Sweden%20turns%20a%20mix%20of%20used%20cotton%20and%20wood%20pulp%20into%20fibre%3B%20Recover%20in%20Spain%20recycles%20used%20cotton%20fibres%20into%20yarn%20and%20has%20recently%20expanded%20with%20a%20new%20facility%20in%20Bangladesh%20while%20German%20chemical%20maker%20BASF%20has%20teamed%20up%20with%20Zara%20owner%20Inditex%20to%20trial%20recycling%20nylon.%20Finland%E2%80%99s%20Infinited%20Fiber%2C%20which%20has%20trial%20plants%20turning%20cotton%20into%20a%20cellulose-based%20fibre%2C%20recently%20raised%20%2443m%20(%C2%A334m)%20to%20help%20build%20a%20commercial%20scale%20plant.%0A%0AComing%20full%20circle%2C%20in%20Yorkshire%2C%20the%20wool%20recycling%20firm%20iinouiio%20(It%20Is%20Never%20Over%20Until%20It%20Is%20Over)%20began%20by%20using%20traditional%20equipment%20once%20used%20to%20make%20shoddy%20to%20recycle%20luxury%20woollen%20yarns%20in%202019.%20In%202022%2C%20it%20partnered%20with%20Camira%2C%20a%20global%20fabric%20manufacturer%2C%20to%20provide%20wool%20recycling%20to%20retailers%20and%20is%20taking%20textiles%20from%20the%20Salvation%20Army.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20progress%20may%20not%20be%20easy.%20The%20future%20of%20Renewcell%20in%20Sweden%20%E2%80%93%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20first%20commercial-scale%20recycling%20plant%20that%20turns%20textiles%20into%20to%20pulp%20ready%20for%20thread%20%E2%80%93%20hangs%20in%20the%20balance.%20The%20company%20called%20in%20administrators%20in%20February%20after%20being%20undercut%20by%20a%20fall%20in%20the%20price%20of%20virgin%20viscose.%20Administrators%20are%20considering%20two%20or%20three%20bids%20for%20the%20company%20and%20are%20hopeful%20of%20securing%20a%20deal%20as%20a%20going%20concern.%0A%0ARenewcell%E2%80%99s%20troubles%20highlight%20the%20difficulties%20such%20experimental%20technologies%20face%20in%20securing%20enough%20finance%20to%20overcome%20glitches%20in%20a%20very%20complex%20supply%20chain%20and%20competition%20from%20often%20cheaper%20virgin%20materials.%0A%0ATextile-to-textile%20recycling%20needs%20a%20reliable%20supply%20of%20used%20textiles%20processed%20to%20reduce%20contamination%2C%20a%20yarnmaker%20ready%20to%20buy%20the%20recycled%20material%20and%20fabric%2C%20and%20clothing%20brands%20prepared%20to%20use%20a%20product%20which%20may%20not%20meet%20the%20criteria%20of%20materials%20they%20usually%20work%20with.%0A%0ABack%20in%20Kettering%2C%20they%20are%20battling%20with%20all%20those%20challenges.%20Majonne%20Frost%2C%20head%20of%20environment%20and%20sustainability%20at%20the%20Salvation%20Army%20Trading%20Company%2C%20says%20it%20has%20been%20trialling%20different%20kinds%20of%20feedstock%20%E2%80%93%20from%20sports%20kit%20to%20hospital%20curtains%20%E2%80%93%20for%20the%20Re%3Aclaim%20recycling%20machines.%20It%20has%20also%20spent%20time%20persuading%20brands%20and%20manufacturers%20to%20change%20buttons%20and%20trims%20so%20a%20uniform%2C%20for%20example%2C%20is%20made%20entirely%20from%20polyester%20and%20can%20be%20put%20into%20the%20machine%20without%20the%20need%20for%20complex%20processing.%0A%0AChallenges%20vary%20from%20dealing%20with%20contamination%20such%20as%20human%20hair%20%E2%80%93%20which%20can%20tint%20the%20granules%2C%20making%20them%20less%20easy%20to%20dye%20to%20any%20colour%20%E2%80%93%20to%20the%20additional%20costs%20involved%20in%20shipping%20the%20granules%20back%20to%20yarn%20spinners%2C%20which%20are%20usually%20based%20in%20Asia%20or%2C%20at%20the%20nearest%2C%20Turkey.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20developing%20the%20market.%20This%20is%20a%20world-first%20technology%20and%20people%20are%20not%20used%20to%20using%20this%20product%2C%20so%20it%20is%20about%20making%20companies%20aware%20and%20collaborating%20to%20get%20recycled%20polyester%20built%20into%20their%20supply%20chains%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20says.%20%E2%80%9CLots%20of%20conversations%20are%20happening.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AGoswami%20says%20that%20the%20technology%20is%20there%20to%20process%20used%20clothing%20and%20what%20is%20needed%20is%20cooperation%20and%20investment%20to%20make%20things%20happen.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CPeople%20are%20serious%20about%20it%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20says.%20%E2%80%9CIf%20we%20are%20going%20to%20%5Bachieve%5D%20net%20zero%2C%20we%20don%E2%80%99t%20have%20much%20option.%E2%80%9D

World-first for polyester textile recycling

Research%20led%20by%20experts%20at%20the%20Universit%C3%A9%20de%20Sherbrooke%20has%20developed%20an%20eco-friendly%20process%20for%20recycling%20battery%20waste.%0AThe%20innovative%20technique%20extracts%20and%20separates%20metals%20from%20used%20alkaline%20batteries%20%E2%80%93%20enabling%20effective%20recycling%20of%20critical%20materials%20from%20batteries.%0A%0AThe%20method%20extracts%20potassium%2C%20zinc%20and%20manganese%20cheaper%20and%20more%20energy%20efficiently%20than%20other%20existing%20methods.%0A%0ANoelia%20Mu%C3%B1oz%20Garc%C3%ADa%2C%20a%20Researcher%20at%20the%20Universit%C3%A9%20de%20Sherbrooke%20and%20lead%20author%20of%20the%20study%2C%20explained%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%20focused%20on%20the%20extraction%20of%20the%20main%20minerals%20present%20in%20alkaline%20batteries%20because%20they%20represent%20more%20than%2070%25%20of%20the%20volume%20of%20spent%20batteries%20in%20North%20America.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20research%20supports%20the%20principles%20of%20the%20circular%20economy%2C%20where%20materials%20are%20reused%20and%20recycled%2C%20creating%20a%20closed-loop%20system.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20reduces%20waste%20and%20can%20lead%20to%20long-term%20economic%20sustainability%20by%20maximising%20the%20utility%20of%20resources%2C%20which%20is%20one%20of%20the%20main%20objectives%20in%20current%20treaties%20such%20as%20the%20Paris%20Agreement.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Cb%3EThe%20importance%20of%20recycling%20battery%20waste%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AAs%20demand%20for%20batteries%20continues%20to%20grow%20exponentially%20worldwide%2C%20devising%20effective%20strategies%20for%20managing%20battery%20waste%20becomes%20increasingly%20important.%0A%0AImproperly%20disposing%20of%20spent%20batteries%20can%20incur%20significant%20environmental%20hazards%20due%20to%20their%20metal%20content.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20main%20problem%20of%20improper%20disposal%20of%20spent%20alkaline%20batteries%20is%20that%20compounds%20of%20potassium%2C%20zinc%20and%20manganese%20can%20leach%20into%20the%20soil%20and%20pollute%20groundwater%2C%20posing%20threats%20to%20the%20environment%20and%20human%20health%2C%20such%20as%20ecotoxicity%20and%20abiotic%20depletion%2C%E2%80%99%20said%20Garc%C3%ADa.%0A%0AMoreover%2C%20developing%20effective%20recycling%20methods%20for%20battery%20waste%20not%20only%20mitigates%20environmental%20threats%20but%20can%20also%20provide%20a%20sustainable%20source%20of%20valuable%20battery%20metals.%0A%0A%3Cb%3ELeveraging%20hydrometallurgy%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AHydrometallurgy%20involves%20extracting%20metals%20using%20aqueous%20solutions%2C%20a%20process%20known%20as%20leaching.%0A%0AThis%20technique%20operates%20at%20room%20temperature%2C%20making%20it%20more%20energy-efficient%20compared%20to%20high-temperature%20methods.%0A%0AThe%20novel%20approach%20in%20this%20study%20features%20a%20three-step%20extraction%20process%2C%20unlike%20conventional%20hydrometallurgy%20methods%20that%20extract%20all%20metals%20in%20a%20single%20step.%0A%0AThis%20single-step%20extraction%20often%20results%20in%20a%20complex%20leachate%20that%20is%20expensive%20to%20separate%20into%20individual%20components.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EEnhanced%20efficiency%20and%20cost-effectiveness%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0ABy%20utilising%20different%20leaching%20agents%20in%20three%20distinct%20phases%2C%20the%20researchers%20achieved%20higher-quality%20leachates.%0A%0AThis%20approach%20significantly%20reduced%20the%20costs%20associated%20with%20downstream%20purification.%20The%20overall%20extraction%20efficiency%20reached%2099.6%25%20for%20zinc%20and%2086.1%25%20for%20manganese.%0A%0AThe%20team%20is%20now%20working%20to%20scale%20up%20the%20extraction%20technique.%0A%0AAntonio%20Avalos%20Ramirez%2C%20a%20Researcher%20at%20the%20Universit%C3%A9%20de%20Sherbrooke%20in%20Canada%20and%20corresponding%20author%20of%20the%20study%2C%20added%3A%20%E2%80%9CThe%20next%20steps%20will%20be%20to%20develop%20separation%20and%20purification%20units%20for%20obtaining%20zinc%20and%20manganese%20at%20a%20quality%20good%20enough%20to%20introduce%20them%20to%20the%20market%20and%20use%20them%20in%20the%20production%20of%20new%20goods.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CFurther%20research%20is%20needed%20to%20address%20the%20scalability%20of%20the%20process%20at%20an%20industrial%2Fcommercial%20scale.%E2%80%9D

Eco-friendly solution for battery waste

Scientists%20have%20figured%20out%20a%20better%20option%20to%20deal%20with%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Fgreen-spot%2Ffloating-seabin-collects-ocean-waste-australia%2F3cm7kkallsm0mfg5%22%20target%3D%22blank%22%3Eincreasing%20plastic%20waste%3C%2Fa%3E%20across%20the%20world.%20A%20team%20of%20researchers%20developed%20a%20breakthrough%20method%20that%20easily%20converts%20microplastics%20into%20a%20material%20that%E2%80%99s%20harder%20than%20diamond%20and%20has%20an%20increasing%20demand%20in%20multiple%20industries.%0A%0AResearchers%20converted%20microplastics%20into%20graphene%20that%20could%20be%20used%20for%20several%20applications%2C%20including%20the%20manufacturing%20of%20various%20sensors%20and%20water%20purification%2C%20as%20well%20as%20the%20absorption%20of%20PFAS.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CApproximately%2030%20mg%20of%20microplastics%20produced%20nearly%205%20mg%20of%20graphene%20in%201%20minute.%20This%20production%20rate%20is%20remarkably%20higher%20than%20achieved%20previously%2C%20and%20offers%20a%20simpler%2C%20more%20environmentally%20friendly%20alternative%20to%20current%20techniques%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20James%20Cook%20University%E2%80%99s%20Dr%20Adeel%20Zafar.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EMicroplastics%20are%20notorious%20for%20their%20non-degradable%20and%20insoluble%20nature%20in%20water%3C%2Fh2%3E%0AJCU%20Professor%20Mohan%20Jacob%20maintained%20that%20some%20plastic%20waste%20degrades%20into%20smaller%20fragments%2C%20often%20reaching%20micron%20sizes%2C%20which%20are%20notorious%20for%20their%20non-degradable%20and%20insoluble%20nature%20in%20water%20and%20are%20an%20evolving%20threat%20to%20fish%20and%2C%20animals%20and%20humans.%0A%0AResearchers%20have%20underlined%20that%20microplastics%E2%80%99%20characteristics%20enable%20them%20to%20absorb%20organic%20pollutants%2C%20and%20once%20they%20are%20in%20water%2C%20they%20are%20ultimately%20integrated%20into%20both%20marine%20and%20human%20food%20chains.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ERecycling%20of%20microplastics%20faces%20significant%20challenges%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%E2%80%9CDisturbingly%2C%20microplastics%20disrupt%20marine%20life%20and%20coral%20reproduction%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Dr%20Zafar.%0A%0AHe%20stressed%20that%20the%20recycling%20of%20microplastics%20faces%20significant%20challenges%20due%20to%20labor-intensive%20separation%20processes%20and%20high%20costs%2C%20resulting%20in%20very%20low%20resource%20recovery%20globally.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CUpcycling%2C%20which%20involves%20transforming%20plastic%20waste%20into%20higher-value%20materials%20rather%20than%20simply%20breaking%20it%20down%2C%20has%20a%20high%20demand%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Dr%20Zafar.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EMicroplastics%20turned%20into%20graphene%3C%2Fh2%3E%0AThe%20team%20ground-up%20plastic%20bottles%20into%20microplastics%20and%20then%20used%20the%20new%20Atmospheric%20Pressure%20Microwave%20Plasma%20synthesis%20technique%20to%20convert%20the%20debris%20to%20graphene%20%E2%80%93%20%20a%20one%20atom%20thick%20carbon%20material%20that%20is%20harder%20than%20diamond%2C%20200%20times%20stronger%20than%20steel%20and%20five%20times%20lighter%20than%20aluminium%20%E2%80%93%20the%20use%20of%20which%20is%20burgeoning%20in%20several%20industries%2C%20according%20to%20James%20Cook%20University.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20research%20not%20only%20pioneers%20a%20novel%20approach%20to%20graphene%20synthesis%20but%20also%20contributes%20to%20the%20broader%20goal%20of%20mitigating%20the%20adverse%20effects%20of%20microplastic%20pollution%20on%20our%20ecosystems%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20professor%20Jacob.%0A%0AThis%20study%20demonstrates%20that%20polyethylene%20microplastics%20from%20waste%20dropper%20bottles%20can%20be%20efficiently%20transformed%20into%20graphene%20using%20APMP%20synthesis.%0A%0ARaman%20spectroscopy%20of%20synthesized%20material%20reveals%20a%20spectrum%20characteristic%20of%20graphene%E2%80%90based%20materials%2C%20with%20indications%20of%20defects%20and%20the%20presence%20of%20oxygen%20content.

Plastic converted to material stronger than steel

Repolywise%2C%20an%20innovative%20start-up%20founded%20by%20Oxford%20University%20researchers%2C%20has%20unveiled%20its%20groundbreaking%20technology%2C%20%E2%80%98Atomic%20Scissors%2C%E2%80%99%20designed%20to%20tackle%20the%20global%20plastic%20waste%20crisis.%0A%20%0ASupported%20by%20%C2%A3375%2C000%20in%20funding%20from%20Innovate%20UK%2C%20this%20revolutionary%20Atomic%20Scissors%20process%20offers%20a%20new%20approach%20to%20recycling%20hard-to-recycle%20plastics%20and%20promises%20to%20make%20a%20significant%20impact%20on%20the%20fight%20against%20plastic%20pollution.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9COur%20Atomic%20Scissors%20technology%20represents%20a%20crucial%20breakthrough%20in%20tackling%20the%20global%20plastic%20waste%20crisis%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Dr%20Bryan%20Ng%2C%20Founder%20and%20CEO%20of%20Repolywise.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CBy%20transforming%20hard-to-recycle%20plastics%20into%20valuable%20raw%20materials%2C%20we%E2%80%99re%20not%20just%20reducing%20waste%20%E2%80%94%20we%E2%80%99re%20enabling%20a%20circular%20economy%20that%20redefines%20how%20we%20produce%20and%20reuse%20plastics%20for%20a%20sustainable%20future.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0A%3Cb%3EAtomic%20Scissors%3A%20A%20new%20era%20in%20plastic%20recycling%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%20%0AAt%20the%20core%20of%20Repolywise%E2%80%99s%20Atomic%20Scissors%20technology%20is%20a%20highly%20advanced%20hydrocracking%20process%20that%20breaks%20down%20waste%20plastics%20at%20the%20atomic%20level.%20%0A%20%0AUnlike%20traditional%20recycling%20methods%2C%20Atomic%20Scissors%20selectively%20degrade%20plastics%20like%20polyethene%20(PE)%20and%20polypropylene%20(PP)%20into%20valuable%20raw%20materials.%20%0A%20%0AThis%20innovative%20catalyst%2C%20developed%20through%20years%20of%20research%20at%20Oxford%2C%20has%20already%20proven%20its%20efficiency%20and%20high%20yield%20in%20lab-scale%20tests.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20Atomic%20Scissors%20process%20transforms%20plastic%20waste%20into%20propane%20in%20a%20single%20step%2C%20which%20is%20then%20sold%20to%20the%20petrochemical%20industry.%20%0A%20%0AThis%20propane%20is%20cracked%20into%20olefins%2C%20a%20key%20ingredient%20in%20producing%20new%20plastics%20like%20polyethene%20and%20polypropylene.%20%0A%20%0AThis%20process%20addresses%20one%20of%20the%20most%20significant%20challenges%20in%20plastic%20recycling%2C%20which%20is%20turning%20waste%20back%20into%20high-quality%20raw%20materials%20and%20closing%20the%20loop%20in%20the%20plastic%20lifecycle.%20%0A%20%0AThis%20innovation%20is%20particularly%20significant%20for%20polyolefin%20plastics%2C%20which%20represent%20nearly%20half%20of%20the%20330%20billion%20kilograms%20of%20plastic%20produced%20annually.%20%0A%20%0ATraditional%20recycling%20methods%20often%20lead%20to%20%E2%80%98downcycling%2C%E2%80%99%20where%20plastic%20is%20repurposed%20into%20lower-quality%20products.%20In%20contrast%2C%20Atomic%20Scissors%20enables%20these%20materials%20to%20be%20recycled%20into%20high-quality%20polypropylene%2C%20supporting%20sustainable%20production.%20%0A%20%0A%3Cb%3EScaling%20for%20industrial%20use%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%20%0ACurrently%2C%20Atomic%20Scissors%20operates%20on%20a%20lab%20scale%2C%20handling%202-gram%20batches%20of%20plastic%20waste.%20However%2C%20Repolywise%20plans%20to%20scale%20the%20technology%20significantly.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20next%20phase%20will%20see%20an%20increase%20to%20a%202-kilogram%20batch%20capacity%2C%20with%20a%20commercial%20goal%20of%20processing%202%20tonnes%20through%20a%20continuous%20flow%20process.%20%0A%20%0AThis%20marks%20a%20significant%20step%20toward%20the%20widespread%20industrial%20application%20of%20the%20technology.%20%0A%20%0AWhat%20sets%20Atomic%20Scissors%20apart%20is%20its%20cost-effectiveness%20and%20energy%20efficiency.%20Operating%20under%20mild%20conditions%20and%20requiring%20less%20energy%20than%20conventional%20methods%2C%20it%20offers%20a%20more%20sustainable%20and%20economical%20solution%20to%20plastic%20waste%20recycling.%20%0A%20%0A%3Cb%3EFuture%20development%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%20%0AWith%20continued%20research%20and%20development%20at%20the%20AgileLab%20in%20Oxford%20University%E2%80%99s%20Begbroke%20Science%20Park%2C%20Repolywise%20is%20poised%20to%20make%20a%20lasting%20impact.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20start-up%20is%20also%20working%20towards%20ISCC%20certification%20to%20ensure%20the%20sustainability%20of%20its%20processes.%20As%20Atomic%20Scissors%20moves%20closer%20to%20large-scale%20implementation%2C%20it%20represents%20a%20critical%20breakthrough%20in%20the%20global%20effort%20to%20address%20plastic%20waste%20and%20promote%20a%20circular%20economy.

'Atomic Scissors' technology to reprocess plastics

California%20is%20tackling%20the%20problem%20of%20textile%20and%20fashion%20waste%20with%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20first%20law%20that%20requires%20clothing%20companies%20to%20implement%20a%20recycling%20system%20for%20the%20garments%20they%20sell.%20%0A%20%0AGovernor%20Gavin%20Newsom%20recently%20signed%20SB%20707%2C%20the%20Responsible%20Textile%20Recovery%20Act.%20The%20new%20law%20requires%20a%20clothing%2C%20apparel%20and%20textile%20extended%20producer%20responsibility%20(EPR)%20program%2C%20as%20defined%20by%20lawmakers%2C%20reported%20Waste%20Today.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CI%E2%80%99m%20very%20proud%20to%20see%20SB%20707%20signed%20into%20law.%20It%20will%20have%20a%20major%20positive%20impact%20on%20California%E2%80%99s%20environment%20and%20communities%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20state%20Democratic%20Senator%20Josh%20Newman%2C%20who%20authored%20the%20bill%2C%20as%20Sourcing%20Journal%20reported.%20%E2%80%9CSB%20707%20isn%E2%80%99t%20just%20about%20recycling%3B%20it%E2%80%99s%20about%20transforming%20the%20way%20we%20think%20about%20textile%20waste.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0AThe%20landmark%20bill%20passed%20with%20wide%20support%20from%20state%20legislators%2C%20reported%20The%20Guardian.%20%0A%20%0AFashion%20consumers%20in%20California%20will%20now%20have%20the%20option%20of%20bringing%20damaged%20and%20unwanted%20clothing%20and%20other%20textiles%20to%20collection%20sites%20%E2%80%94%20including%20thrift%20stores%20and%20charities%20%E2%80%94%20to%20be%20sorted%20and%20recycled.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20new%20law%20mandates%20that%20producers%20of%20clothing%2C%20bedding%2C%20towels%20and%20upholstery%20administer%20and%20fund%20the%20repair%2C%20reuse%20and%20recycling%20of%20their%20products%20statewide.%20%0A%20%0AIn%20the%20U.S.%2C%20almost%2010%20times%20the%20textile%20waste%20is%20generated%20now%20than%20in%201960%20%E2%80%94%20more%20than%2018.7%20million%20tons%20in%202018%2C%2085%20percent%20of%20which%20ends%20up%20in%20landfills.%20The%20rotting%20fibers%20leach%20dyes%20and%20chemicals%20into%20groundwater%20and%20soil%2C%20while%20emitting%20methane%20into%20the%20atmosphere.%20%0A%20%0AMeanwhile%2C%20though%20about%2095%25%20of%20the%20materials%20used%20to%20make%20clothing%20and%20textiles%20are%20recyclable%2C%20only%20approximately%2015%20percent%20of%20them%20get%20reused.%20%0A%20%0AChelsea%20Murtha%2C%20senior%20director%20of%20sustainability%20at%20the%20American%20Apparel%20and%20Footwear%20Association%20(AAFA)%2C%20said%20the%20trade%20group%20wants%20to%20work%20with%20CalRecycle%20%E2%80%94%20California%E2%80%99s%20branch%20of%20the%20Environmental%20Protection%20Agency%20that%20is%20responsible%20for%20the%20implementation%20of%20SB%20707%2C%20Sourcing%20Journal%20reported.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20first%20step%20on%20that%20journey%20will%20be%20founding%20an%20effective%20Producer%20Responsibility%20Organization%20(PRO)%2C%E2%80%9D%20Murtha%20said.%20%E2%80%9COver%20the%20past%20month%2C%20AAFA%20has%20intensified%20conversations%20with%20PROs%20from%20other%20industries%2C%20as%20well%20as%20key%20stakeholders%20in%20our%20industry%2C%20to%20ensure%20we%20are%20in%20the%20best%20possible%20position%20to%20assist%20with%20PRO%20formation.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0AEnvironmental%20organizations%2C%20retailers%20like%20Ikea%20and%20Goodwill%20and%20municipal%20waste%20managers%20endorsed%20the%20bill.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CAs%20a%20global%20fashion%20retailer%2C%20we%20have%20an%20important%20role%20to%20play%20and%20that%20is%20why%20we%20are%20transforming%20our%20business%20towards%20circularity%20and%20reducing%20emissions%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Randi%20Marshall%2C%20H%26M%E2%80%99s%20regional%20head%20of%20sustainability%20and%20public%20affairs%20for%20the%20Americas%2C%20as%20reported%20by%20The%20Guardian.%20%0A%20%0AMarshall%20said%20similar%20laws%20in%20France%20and%20the%20Netherlands%20have%20given%20H%26M%20an%20idea%20of%20how%20the%20system%20can%20operate.%20In%20France%2C%20clothing%20and%20shoes%20are%20taken%20to%20one%20of%20thousands%20of%20collection%20points%20to%20be%20recycled%2C%20and%20repairs%20are%20subsidized%20to%20encourage%20consumers%20to%20keep%20the%20textiles%20longer.%20%0A%20%0ACalifornia%20textile%20and%20apparel%20companies%20will%20be%20given%20until%202026%20to%20start%20a%20nonprofit%20to%20design%20strategies%20like%20mail-return%20programs%20and%20collection%20sites.%20The%20program%20won%E2%80%99t%20be%20up%20and%20running%20until%20at%20least%202028.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CBy%202030%2C%20convenient%20drop-off%20locations%20for%20used%20textiles%20across%20the%20state%20will%20provide%20everyone%20with%20a%20free%20and%20simple%20way%20to%20be%20part%20of%20the%20solution%2C%E2%80%9D%20Newman%20added%2C%20as%20Sourcing%20Journal%20reported.%20%E2%80%9CCalifornia%20is%20again%20at%20the%20forefront%20of%20innovation%2C%20proving%20we%20can%20lead%20the%20way%20in%20creating%20a%20circular%20and%20sustainable%20textile%20economy%20that%20benefits%20everyone.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0ARoughly%2010%20percent%20of%20carbon%20emissions%20worldwide%20are%20produced%20by%20the%20fashion%20industry%20%E2%80%94%20more%20than%20maritime%20shipping%20and%20international%20flights.%20%0A%20%0AOver%20a%20million%20tons%20of%20textiles%20were%20thrown%20away%20in%20California%20in%202021%2C%20at%20a%20cost%20to%20taxpayers%20of%20more%20than%20%2470%20million.%20%0A%20%0AChief%20sponsor%20of%20the%20bill%20%E2%80%94%20the%20California%20Product%20Stewardship%20Council%20(CPSC)%20%E2%80%94%20worked%20with%20Senator%20Newman%E2%80%99s%20office%20in%20composing%20the%20legislation%2C%20and%20also%20collaborated%20with%20fashion%20brands%2C%20clothing%20manufacturers%20and%20advocacy%20organizations%2C%20reported%20Sourcing%20Journal.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20industry%20really%20showed%20up%20for%20the%20stakeholder%20process%20to%20make%20the%20final%20version%20as%20impactful%20as%20possible%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Dr.%20Joanne%20Brasch%2C%20CPSC%E2%80%99s%20director%20of%20advocacy%20and%20outreach%2C%20on%20Monday.%20%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99ve%20seen%20brands%20and%20associations%20endorse%20the%20bill%20for%20a%20more%20equitable%20solution%20to%20a%20systematic%20problem.%20The%20program%20will%20incentivize%20producers%20to%20adopt%20less%20wasteful%20production%20and%20greener%20designs.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0AWhen%20clothing%20that%20is%20donated%20to%20thrift%20stores%2C%20nonprofits%20or%20other%20textile%20recyclers%20is%20damaged%20or%20for%20some%20other%20reason%20unable%20to%20be%20reused%2C%20it%20is%20often%20discarded%20or%20ends%20up%20in%20Global%20South%20markets.%20Enormous%20mounds%20of%20clothing%20resembling%20multicolored%20dunes%20have%20been%20photographed%20in%20places%20like%20the%20Chilean%20desert.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20practice%20of%20rich%20countries%20shipping%20their%20waste%20to%20poorer%20ones%20is%20known%20as%20%E2%80%9Cwaste%20colonialism.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CWaste%20colonialism%20is%20when%20a%20group%20of%20people%20uses%20waste%20and%20pollution%20to%20dominate%20another%20group%20of%20people%20in%20their%20homeland.%20The%20term%20was%20first%20recorded%20in%201989%20at%20the%20United%20Nations%20Environmental%20Programme%20Basel%20Convention%20when%20African%20nations%20expressed%20concern%20about%20the%20dumping%20of%20hazardous%20waste%20by%20high%20GDP%20countries%20into%20low%20GDP%20countries.%20Waste%20Colonialism%20is%20typically%20used%20to%20describe%20the%20domination%20of%20land%20for%20the%20use%20of%20disposal%2C%20also%20referred%20to%20as%20a%20%E2%80%98sink%E2%80%99%20and%20this%20is%20quite%20visible%20in%20the%20context%20of%20Accra%E2%80%99s%20Kantamanto%20Market%2C%20the%20largest%20secondhand%20market%20in%20the%20world%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20Or%20Foundation%2C%20an%20advocate%20for%20improved%20waste%20management%20in%20the%20fashion%20market%2C%20said%20on%20its%20website.%20%0A%20%0ABrasch%2C%20who%20co-sponsored%20the%20legislation%2C%20said%20much%20had%20been%20gleaned%20from%20observing%20France%E2%80%99s%20clothing%20repair%20scheme%2C%20which%20started%20last%20year.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20learned%20from%20a%20lot%20of%20the%20advocates%20involved%20in%20France%E2%80%99s%20program%20and%20they%E2%80%99ve%20been%20very%20active%20to%20make%20sure%20that%20what%20California%20does%20can%20be%20replicated%20positively%2C%E2%80%9D%20Brasch%20said%2C%20as%20The%20Guardian%20reported.%20%E2%80%9CBeing%20the%20first%20%5Bin%20the%20US%5D%20doesn%E2%80%99t%20always%20mean%20being%20the%20best.%20We%20hope%20other%20states%20reach%20out%20to%20us%20and%20I%20can%20explain%20how%20to%20raise%20the%20bar.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0AAs%20the%20first%20state%20to%20have%20an%20EPR%20program%2C%20California%20will%20set%20an%20example%20for%20%E2%80%94%20and%20hopefully%20have%20a%20cascading%20effect%20on%20%E2%80%94%20the%20rest%20of%20the%20country.%20%0A%20%0ARachel%20Kibbe%2C%20CEO%20of%20ACT%20and%20Circular%20Services%20Group%2C%20said%20SB%20707%E2%80%99s%20passage%20highlighted%20%E2%80%9Cthe%20urgent%20need%20for%20a%20federal%20waste%20policy%2C%E2%80%9D%20as%20reported%20by%20Sourcing%20Journal.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CWithout%20one%2C%20we%20risk%20a%20patchwork%20of%20state-level%20bills%20that%20can%20create%20fragmented%20and%20inconsistent%20regulations%20across%20the%20country%2C%E2%80%9D%20Kibbe%20explained.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20face%20the%20%5Bpotential%5D%20of%20sustainability%20teams%20turning%20focus%20and%20resources%20to%20compliance%2C%20over%20innovation%20and%20true%20progress.%20A%20unified%20federal%20approach%20would%20streamline%20the%20system%2C%20prevent%20disjointed%20efforts%2C%20and%20better%20enable%20businesses%20to%20comply%20across%20state%20lines.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20industry%20can%20no%20longer%20rely%20on%20voluntary%20commitments%E2%80%94accountability%20is%20now%20law%2C%E2%80%9D%20Kibbe%20said.%20%0A%20%0AKibbe%20added%20that%2C%20by%20working%20with%20ACT%20and%20similar%20organizations%2C%20fashion%20companies%20would%20be%20able%20to%20more%20successfully%20%E2%80%9Cnavigate%20this%20transition%2C%20share%20best%20practices%2C%20and%20collaborate%20on%20the%20innovations%20that%20will%20define%20a%20circular%20economy.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0AKibbe%20encouraged%20the%20clothing%20industry%20to%20increase%20its%20engagement%20with%20groups%20like%20ACT%20to%20participate%20in%20the%20enactment%20of%20environmental%20policy%20in%20the%20future.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CSB%20707%20is%20a%20signal%20that%20the%20future%20is%20here%2C%20and%20it%E2%80%99s%20time%20for%20real%20partnership%20between%20industry%20and%20industry%20groups%20to%20make%20it%20a%20reality%2C%E2%80%9D%20Kibbe%20said.

California passes first US clothing recycling law

A%20Cornell%20University-led%20research%20team%20has%20developed%20a%20method%20for%20extracting%20gold%20from%20electronics%20waste%2C%20then%20using%20the%20recovered%20precious%20metal%20as%20a%20catalyst%20for%20converting%20carbon%20dioxide%20(CO2)%2C%20a%20greenhouse%20gas%2C%20to%20organic%20materials.%0A%0AThe%20method%20could%20provide%20a%20sustainable%20use%20for%20some%20of%20the%20approximately%2050%20million%20tons%20of%20e-waste%20discarded%20each%20year%2C%20only%2020%25%20of%20which%20is%20recycled%2C%20according%20to%20Amin%20Zadehnazari%2C%20a%20postdoctoral%20researcher%20in%20the%20lab%20of%20Alireza%20Abbaspourrad%2C%20professor%20of%20food%20chemistry%20and%20ingredient%20technology.%0A%0AZadehnazari%20synthesized%20a%20pair%20of%20vinyl-linked%20covalent%20organic%20frameworks%20(VCOFs)%20to%20remove%20gold%20ions%20and%20nanoparticles%20from%20circuit%20boards%20in%20discarded%20electronic%20devices.%0A%0AOne%20of%20his%20VCOFs%20was%20shown%20to%20selectively%20capture%2099.9%25%20of%20the%20gold%20and%20very%20little%20of%20other%20metals%2C%20including%20nickel%20and%20copper%2C%20from%20the%20devices.%0A%0A%22We%20can%20then%20use%20the%20gold-loaded%20COFs%20to%20convert%20CO2%20into%20useful%20chemicals%2C%22%20Zadehnazari%20said.%0A%0A%22By%20transforming%20CO2%20into%20value-added%20materials%2C%20we%20not%20only%20reduce%20waste%20disposal%20demands%2C%20we%20also%20provide%20both%20environmental%20and%20practical%20benefits.%20It's%20kind%20of%20a%20win-win%20for%20the%20environment.%22%0A%0AAbbaspourrad%20is%20corresponding%20author%20and%20Zadehnazari%20lead%20author%20of%20%22Recycling%20E-waste%20Into%20Gold-loaded%20Covalent%20Organic%20Framework%20Catalysts%20for%20Terminal%20Alkyne%20Carboxylation%2C%22%20which%20published%20in%20Nature%20Communications.%0A%0AElectronics%20waste%20is%20a%20literal%20gold%20mine%3A%20It's%20estimated%20that%20a%20ton%20of%20e-waste%20contains%20at%20least%2010%20times%20more%20gold%20than%20a%20ton%20of%20the%20ore%20from%20which%20gold%20is%20extracted.%0A%0AAnd%20with%20an%20anticipated%2080%20million%20metric%20tons%20of%20e-waste%20by%202030%2C%20it's%20increasingly%20important%20to%20find%20ways%20to%20recover%20that%20precious%20metal.%0A%0ATraditional%20methods%20for%20recovering%20gold%20from%20e-waste%20involve%20harsh%20chemicals%2C%20including%20cyanide%2C%20which%20pose%20environmental%20risks.%0A%0AZadehnazari's%20method%20is%20achieved%20without%20hazardous%20chemicals%2C%20using%20chemical%20adsorption%20--%20the%20adhesion%20of%20particles%20to%20a%20surface.%0A%0AThe%20research%20made%20use%20of%20the%20Cornell%20Center%20for%20Materials%20Research%20and%20the%20Cornell%20NMR%20facilities%2C%20both%20of%20which%20are%20funded%20by%20the%20National%20Science%20Foundation.%0A

E-waste can literally be turned into gold

Polish%20presidency%20of%20the%20EU%20Council%20announced%20breakthrough%20in%20early%20hours%20after%20marathon%20overnight%20talks%20on%20food%20waste%20reduction%20targets%20and%20measures%20to%20limit%20a%20throwaway%20clothing%20culture.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20EU%20has%20set%20its%20first%20ever%20legally%20binding%20targets%20for%20member%20states%20to%20cut%20food%20waste%2C%20with%20lawmakers%20agreeing%20on%20a%2030%25%20cut%20across%20retailers%2C%20restaurants%2C%20caterers%20and%20households%20by%20the%20end%20of%20the%20decade.%20%0A%20%0AFor%20food%20processors%20and%20manufacturers%2C%20the%202030%20goal%20is%20a%2010%25%20reduction%2C%20with%20both%20targets%20based%20on%20the%20average%20in%20the%20three%20years%20to%202023.%20EU%20estimates%20suggest%20that%20over%2059%20million%20tonnes%20of%20food%20is%20shovelled%20into%20dustbins%20every%20year%2C%20representing%20a%20loss%20of%20%E2%82%AC132%20billion.%20%0A%20%0AReforms%20to%20the%20EU%E2%80%99s%20waste%20framework%20directive%2C%20agreed%20this%20morning%20after%20a%20marathon%20negotiating%20session%20behind%20closed%20doors%20between%20MEPs%20and%20government%20delegates%2C%20also%20target%20the%20textiles%20industry.%20%0A%20%0ANew%20harmonised%20rules%20on%20extended%20producer%20responsibility%20(EPR)%20mean%20textile%20producers%20and%20fashion%20brands%20will%20%20have%20to%20pay%20a%20fee%20to%20help%20fund%20waste%20collection%2C%20sorting%20and%20recycling%2C%20based%20on%20how%20circular%20and%20sustainable%20their%20products%20are.%0A%0AIn%20a%20measure%20directly%20targeting%20%E2%80%98fast%20fashion%E2%80%99%20practices%20such%20as%20cheap%2C%20almost%20disposable%20clothes%20from%20online%20platforms%2C%20EU%20governments%20are%20also%20empowered%20to%20adapt%20these%20fees%20based%20on%20the%20durability%20of%20garments.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20rapidly%20growing%20e-commerce%20market%20brings%20many%20opportunities%2C%20but%20also%20represents%20a%20significant%20challenge%2C%20especially%20in%20terms%20of%20environmental%20protection%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20agreed%20text%20runs.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20legislation%20gives%20leeway%20to%20penalise%20aggressive%20marketing%20strategies%20that%20encourage%20clothes%20to%20be%20discarded%20before%20they%20are%20worn%20out%2C%20practices%20that%20according%20to%20the%20legislation%20are%20%E2%80%9Clikely%20resulting%20in%20an%20overconsumption%20of%20textile%20products%20and%2C%20consequently%2C%20an%20overgeneration%20of%20waste%E2%80%9D.%20%0A%20%0ACriteria%20that%20can%20be%20considered%20include%20the%20width%20of%20the%20product%20range%20offered%20by%20a%20retailer%2C%20and%20the%20provision%20or%20lack%20of%20a%20repair%20services%20and%20incentives.%20%0A%20%0AAnti-waste%20campaigners%20welcomed%20EU%20action%2C%20but%20were%20disappointed%20by%20the%20level%20of%20ambition%20reflected%20in%20the%20headline%20targets.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20EU%20and%20its%20member%20states%20committed%20to%20the%20UN%20Sustainable%20Development%20Goals%2010%20years%20ago%2C%20including%20a%2050%25%20reduction%20of%20food%20waste%20across%20the%20entire%20supply%20chain%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Theresa%20M%C3%B6rsen%2C%20a%20policy%20officer%20at%20the%20Brussels-based%20NGO%20Zero%20Waste%20Europe.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20group%20also%20criticised%20the%20lack%20of%20waste%20reduction%20measures%20at%20the%20production%20level%2C%20noting%20that%20EU%20statistics%20suggest%20some%2011%25%20of%20food%20is%20wasted%20before%20it%20leaves%20the%20farm.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20action%20on%20textiles%20also%20left%20%E2%80%9Croom%20for%20improvement%E2%80%9C%2C%20according%20to%20M%C3%B6rsen.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20were%20hoping%20that%20member%20states%20would%20take%20inspiration%20from%20existing%20schemes%20in%20France%20and%20the%20Netherlands%20and%20underpin%20EPR%20with%20concrete%20targets%20to%20achieve%20circularity.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0APolish%20MEP%20Anna%20Zalewska%20of%20the%20right-wing%20ECR%20group%2C%20who%20steered%20the%20legislation%20through%20the%20European%20Parliament%2C%20claimed%20credit%20for%20shielding%20farmers%20from%20the%20obligation%20to%20cut%20food%20waste.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20succeeded%20in%20ensuring%20feasible%20and%20realistic%20provisions%20for%20member%20states%20to%20implement%20food%20waste%20reduction%20policies%20and%20we%20managed%20to%20ensure%20that%20the%20agriculture%20sector%20will%20not%20be%20negatively%20impacted%2C%E2%80%9D%20Zalewska%20said.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20agreement%20is%20provisional%2C%20subject%20to%20a%20rubber%20stamp%20from%20government%20ministers%20at%20an%20EU%20Council%20summit%20%E2%80%93%20a%20procedure%20which%20is%20normally%20a%20formality.

EU takes bold steps to curb food and textile waste

Battery%20waste%20is%20a%20serious%20environmental%20problem%3A%20It%20contains%20substances%20that%20pose%20a%20threat%20to%20both%20human%20health%20and%20ecosystems.%20At%20the%20same%20time%2C%20however%2C%20batteries%20also%20contain%20valuable%20materials%20such%20as%20nickel%2C%20which%20we%20need%E2%80%94for%20example%2C%20for%20the%20production%20of%20new%20batteries.%20Better%20recycling%20methods%20for%20batteries%20are%20therefore%20urgently%20required.%0A%0AAt%20TU%20Wien%2C%20researchers%20have%20developed%20a%20process%20that%20can%20be%20used%20to%20recover%20nickel%20from%20spent%20nickel-metal%20hydride%20batteries.%20But%20that's%20not%20all%3A%20from%20this%20battery%20waste%20and%20used%20aluminum%20foil%2C%20such%20as%20that%20used%20in%20the%20kitchen%2C%20it%20was%20possible%20to%20produce%20a%20nanocatalyst%20that%20converts%20CO2%20into%20valuable%20methane.%20In%20this%20way%2C%20one%20can%20reduce%20the%20waste%20problem%20on%20the%20one%20hand%20and%20at%20the%20same%20time%20obtain%20a%20climate-neutral%20fuel.%0A%0ATheir%20paper%20is%20published%20in%20the%20journal%20Green%20Chemistry.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EBattery%20recycling%3A%20Important%20for%20the%20environment%20and%20economy%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0A%22Modern%20batteries%2C%20such%20as%20nickel-metal%20hydride%20(Ni-MH)%20and%20lithium-ion%20batteries%2C%20consist%20of%20different%20components%2C%20which%20makes%20recycling%20and%20recovery%20processes%20technologically%20challenging%2C%22%20says%20Prof.%20G%C3%BCnther%20Rupprechter%20from%20the%20Institute%20of%20Materials%20Chemistry%20at%20TU%20Wien%2C%20head%20of%20the%20research%20project.%20%22Improper%20disposal%20can%20lead%20to%20chemical%20leaks%2C%20fires%2C%20and%20pollution.%22%0A%0AThe%20recovery%20of%20nickel%20from%20spent%20Ni-MH%20batteries%20is%20also%20highly%20important%20economically%3A%20In%20the%20EU%2C%20waste%20batteries%20and%20scrap%20from%20battery%20production%20could%20provide%20around%2016%25%20of%20the%20nickel%20needed%20by%202030%2C%20which%20is%20enough%20to%20equip%201.3%20to%202.4%20million%20electric%20vehicles%20(EVs)%20annually.%0A%0ADespite%20this%20potential%2C%20current%20recycling%20capacity%20in%20the%20EU%20and%20the%20UK%20is%20only%20about%20one-tenth%20of%20what%20is%20needed%20by%202030.%20Investments%20in%20recycling%20infrastructure%20are%20therefore%20necessary.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EUpcycling%3A%20From%20waste%20recycling%20to%20CO2%20capture%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0A%22Recycling%20is%20an%20important%20step%2C%20but%20even%20greater%20impact%20can%20be%20achieved%20by%20upcycling%20nickel%20into%20catalysts%20capable%20of%20producing%20fuels%2C%22%20says%20Dr.%20Qaisar%20Maqbool%2C%20first%20author%20of%20the%20study.%0A%0AThe%20team%20extracted%20nickel%20from%20used%20Ni-MH%20batteries%20and%20recovered%20alumina%20from%20used%20aluminum%20foil.%20These%20materials%20were%20then%20converted%20into%20a%20high-performance%20nanocatalyst%20in%20an%20environmentally%20friendly%20way%E2%80%94using%20green%20chemistry%20methods.%0A%0A%22Our%20nanocatalyst%20consists%20of%2092%25%E2%80%9396%25%20aluminum%20oxide%20and%204%25%E2%80%938%25%20nickel%2C%20which%20is%20optimal%20for%20converting%20the%20greenhouse%20gas%20CO2%20together%20with%20hydrogen%20into%20methane%2C%22%20explains%20G%C3%BCnther%20Rupprechter.%20The%20process%20requires%20neither%20high%20pressure%20nor%20high%20temperatures%3B%20the%20catalyst%20works%20at%20atmospheric%20pressure%20and%20an%20easily%20achievable%20temperature%20of%20250%C2%B0C.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EFrom%20greenhouse%20gas%20to%20clean%20energy%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AThis%20provides%20a%20method%20for%20converting%20CO2%20into%20a%20valuable%20fuel%20in%20a%20climate-neutral%20way%3A%20Methane%20plays%20an%20important%20role%20as%20an%20energy%20source%20in%20industry%2C%20for%20example.%20%22Now%20we%20want%20to%20investigate%20how%20this%20process%20can%20be%20scaled%20up%20for%20technological%20applications%2C%22%20says%20Prof.%20G%C3%BCnther%20Rupprechter.%0A%0A%22We%20believe%20that%20this%20approach%20can%20transform%20sustainable%20fuel%20production.%20Our%20approach%20shows%20a%20solution%20to%20the%20climate%20problem%E2%80%94and%20in%20a%20way%20that%20also%20helps%20to%20solve%20a%20pressing%20waste%20problem.%22%0A%0A%3Cb%3EUpcycled%20material%20can%20also%20be%20recycled%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AMany%20catalysts%20deactivate%20over%20time%E2%80%94because%20the%20catalyst%20changes%20structurally%20at%20some%20point%20or%20becomes%20less%20effective%20due%20to%20the%20accumulation%20of%20coke%20(carbon).%20Such%20a%20deactivation%20was%20not%20detected%20in%20the%20study.%20Nevertheless%2C%20it%20was%20important%20to%20the%20team%20to%20think%20in%20closed%20cycles%20and%20to%20consider%20how%20the%20catalyst%20itself%20can%20also%20be%20recycled.%0A%0A%22To%20close%20the%20sustainability%20loop%2C%20you%20can%20recycle%20the%20spent%20catalysts%20back%20into%20their%20original%20precursors%20to%20be%20reused%2C%22%20says%20Dr.%20Qaisar%20Maqbool.%20This%20ensures%20that%20the%20entire%20process%20remains%20environmentally%20friendly%2C%20and%20the%20amount%20of%20waste%20is%20minimized.

Turning CO2 into fuel with battery waste

A%20Canadian%20decarbonization%20startup%20has%20launched%20a%20groundbreaking%20project%20to%20build%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20largest%20facility%20for%20processing%20asbestos%20mine%20tailings%20into%20materials%20used%20in%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Flist%2Fbusiness%2Felectric%2520vehicles%2FMonaco%22%3Eelectric%20vehicle%3C%2Fa%3E%20batteries%20and%20for%20permanently%20storing%20carbon%20dioxide.%0A%0ABacked%20by%20both%20private%20investors%20and%20the%20Qu%C3%A9bec%20government%2C%20Montreal-based%20Exterra%20Carbon%20Solutions%20raised%20about%20USD%2014.5%20million%20(CAD%2020%20million)%20to%20build%20Hub%20I%2C%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20largest%20facility%20for%20repurposing%20asbestos%20mining%20waste.%0A%0AThe%20plant%20will%20reportedly%20be%20located%20in%20Val-des-Sources%20%E2%80%93%20formerly%20known%20as%20Asbestos%2C%20Quebec%20%E2%80%93%20home%20to%20the%20infamous%20Jeffrey%20Mine%2C%20once%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20largest%20open%20pit%20asbestos%20mine%20that%20produced%20half%20of%20the%20global%20supply.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ERepurposing%20asbestos%20waste%3C%2Fh2%3E%0AFireproof%2C%20durable%2C%20and%20cheap%2C%20asbestos%20was%20hailed%20as%20a%20miracle%20mineral%2C%20until%20its%20widespread%20use%20unraveled%20into%20one%20of%20the%20biggest%20public%20health%20crises%20of%20the%2020th%20century%20as%20workers%20in%20mines%20and%20factories%20showed%20high%20rates%20of%20lung%20issues.%0A%0AEver%20since%2C%20inhaling%20asbestos%20fibers%20has%20been%20shown%20to%20cause%20fatal%20diseases%20like%20mesothelioma%2C%20lung%20cancer%2C%20and%20COPD%2C%20prompting%20widespread%20bans%20and%20leaving%20behind%20a%20lasting%20legacy%20of%20toxic%20waste.%0A%0ANow%2C%20with%20the%20new%20initiative%2C%20the%20company%20believes%20it%20can%20safely%20neutralize%20the%20asbestos%20fibers%20found%20in%20the%20leftover%20mining%20waste%20and%20convert%20the%20material%20into%20valuable%2C%20carbon-neutral%20products.%0A%0AThese%20include%20low-carbon%20metal%20oxides%20like%20magnesium%20oxide%2C%20used%20in%20agriculture%2C%20water%20treatment%2C%20and%20pharmaceuticals%2C%20as%20well%20as%20nickel%20concentrate%2C%20a%20critical%20material%20in%20the%20manufacturing%20of%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Flist%2Fbusiness%2Felectric%2520vehicles%2FVietnam%22%3Eelectric%20vehicle%20(EV)%3C%2Fa%3E%20batteries.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20one%20of%20the%20most%20innovative%20parts%20of%20Exterra%E2%80%99s%20approach%20is%20its%20carbon%20capture%20method%2C%20which%20relies%20on%20a%20proprietary%20one-step%20process%20that%20locks%20CO%E2%82%82%20directly%20into%20processed%20minerals%20%E2%80%93%20eliminating%20the%20need%20for%20a%20separate%20capture%20system.%0A%0AThe%20technique%2C%20known%20as%20mineralization%20%E2%80%93%20a%20process%20by%20which%20carbon%20dioxide%20becomes%20a%20solid%20mineral%20%E2%80%93%20could%20sequester%20carbon%20dioxide%20for%20millennia%20and%20play%20a%20major%20role%20in%20global%20decarbonization%20efforts.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EMining%20a%20new%20tomorrow%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ATo%20move%20beyond%20theory%2C%20Exterra%20tested%20its%20technology%20in%20a%20pre-commercial%20pilot%20in%20Val-des-Sources.%20The%20full-scale%20facility%2C%20set%20to%20break%20ground%20in%202027%2C%20aims%20to%20process%20over%20300%2C000%20tons%20of%20asbestos%20mine%20tailings%20(AMT)%20each%20year.%0A%0AWith%20Quebec%20alone%20holding%20an%20estimated%20800%20million%20tons%20of%20asbestos%20mine%20tailings%20after%20it%20stopped%20mining%20the%20toxic%20material%20in%202012%2C%20the%20facility%20will%20have%20enough%20raw%20material%20to%20operate%20for%20more%20than%202%2C000%20years.%0A%0AOlivier%20Dufresne%2C%20CEO%20and%20co-founder%20of%20Exterra%20Carbon%20Solutions%2C%20said%20the%20company%E2%80%99s%20mission%20is%20to%20integrate%20the%20mining%20industry%20into%20the%20circular%20economy%20as%20part%20of%20the%20solution%20to%20the%20carbon%20crisis.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20currently%20developing%20a%20pre-commercial%20facility%20in%20Val-des-Sources%20that%20will%20tap%20into%20Qu%C3%A9bec%E2%80%99s%20800%20million%20tons%20of%20asbestos%20mine%20tailings%20%E2%80%93%20about%20a%20third%20of%20all%20AMT%20in%20North%20America%2C%E2%80%9D%20Dufresne%20said%20in%20a%20press%20release.%20%E2%80%9COur%20technology%20to%20revitalize%20mine%20sites%20will%20transform%20the%20local%20industry%20and%20can%20be%20scaled%20globally.%E2%80%9D%0A%0APowered%20entirely%20by%20renewable%20energy%2C%20Hub%20I%20will%20operate%20with%20a%20carbon-neutral%20footprint.%20If%20successful%2C%20the%20company%20hopes%20it%20could%20serve%20as%20a%20model%20for%20similar%20operations%20worldwide%2C%20particularly%20in%20regions%20grappling%20with%20the%20health%20and%20environmental%20fallout%20of%20past%20asbestos%20mining.

Canada to recycle asbestos waste for EV batteries 

A%20new%20technique%20that%20uses%20soundwaves%20to%20separate%20materials%20for%20recycling%20could%20help%20prevent%20potentially%20harmful%20chemicals%20leaching%20into%20the%20environment.%20%0A%0AResearchers%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Leicester%20have%20achieved%20a%20major%20milestone%20in%20fuel%20cell%20recycling%2C%20advancing%20techniques%20to%20efficiently%20separate%20valuable%20catalyst%20materials%20and%20fluorinated%20polymer%20membranes%20(PFAS)%20from%20catalyst-coated%20membranes%20(CCMs).%20%0A%0AThis%20development%20addresses%20critical%20environmental%20challenges%20posed%20by%20PFAS%E2%80%94often%20referred%20to%20as%20%E2%80%98forever%20chemicals%E2%80%99%E2%80%94which%20are%20known%20to%20contaminate%20drinking%20water%20and%20have%20serious%20health%20implications.%20The%20Royal%20Society%20of%20Chemistry%20has%20urged%20government%20intervention%20to%20reduce%20PFAS%20levels%20in%20UK%20water%20supplies.%0A%0AFuel%20cells%20and%20water%20electrolysers%2C%20essential%20components%20of%20hydrogen-powered%20energy%20systems%2C%20powering%20cars%2C%20trains%20and%20buses%2C%20depend%20on%20CCMs%20containing%20precious%20platinum%20group%20metals.%20However%2C%20the%20strong%20adhesion%20between%20catalyst%20layers%20and%20PFAS%20membranes%20has%20made%20recycling%20difficult.%20Researchers%20at%20Leicester%20have%20developed%20a%20scalable%20method%20using%20organic%20solvent%20soaking%20and%20water%20ultrasonication%20to%20effectively%20separate%20these%20materials%2C%20revolutionising%20the%20recycling%20process.%0A%0ADr%20Jake%20Yang%20from%20the%20University%20of%20Leicester%20School%20of%20Chemistry%20said%3A%20%22This%20method%20is%20simple%20and%20scalable.%20We%20can%20now%20separate%20PFAS%20membranes%20from%20precious%20metals%20without%20harsh%20chemicals%E2%80%94revolutionising%20how%20we%20recycle%20fuel%20cells.%20Fuel%20cells%20have%20been%20heralded%20for%20a%20long%20time%20as%20the%20breakthrough%20technology%20for%20clean%20energy%20but%20the%20high%20cost%20of%20platinum%20group%20metals%20has%20been%20seen%20as%20a%20limitation.%20A%20circular%20economy%20in%20these%20metals%20will%20bring%20this%20breakthough%20technology%20one%20step%20closer%20to%20reality.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ABuilding%20on%20this%20success%2C%20a%20follow-up%20study%20introduced%20a%20continuous%20delamination%20process%2C%20using%20a%20bespoke%20blade%20sonotrode%20that%20uses%20high%20frequency%20ultrasound%20to%20split%20the%20membranes%20to%20accelerate%20recycling.%20The%20process%20creates%20bubbles%20that%20collapse%20when%20subjected%20to%20high%20pressure%2C%20meaning%20the%20precious%20catalysts%20can%20be%20separated%20in%20seconds%20at%20room%20temperature.%20The%20innovative%20process%20is%20both%20sustainable%20and%20economically%20viable%2C%20paving%20the%20way%20for%20widespread%20adoption.%0A%0AThis%20groundbreaking%20research%20was%20carried%20out%20in%20collaboration%20with%20Johnson%20Matthey%2C%20a%20global%20leader%20in%20sustainable%20technologies.%20Industry-academia%20partnerships%20such%20as%20this%20underscore%20the%20importance%20of%20collective%20efforts%20in%20driving%20technological%20progress.%0A%0ARoss%20Gordon%2C%20Principal%20Research%20Scientist%20at%20Johnson%20Matthey%2C%20said%3A%20%22The%20development%20of%20high-intensity%20ultrasound%20to%20separate%20catalyst-loaded%20membranes%20is%20a%20game-changer%20in%20how%20we%20approach%20fuel%20cell%20recycling.%20%20At%20Johnson%20Matthey%2C%20we%20are%20proud%20to%20collaborate%20on%20pioneering%20solutions%20that%20accelerate%20the%20adoption%20of%20hydrogen-powered%20energy%20while%20making%20it%20more%20sustainable%20and%20economically%20viable.%22%0A%0AAs%20fuel%20cell%20demand%20continues%20to%20grow%2C%20this%20breakthrough%20contributes%20to%20the%20circular%20economy%20by%20enabling%20efficient%20recycling%20of%20essential%20clean%20energy%20components.%20The%20researchers%E2%80%99%20efforts%20support%20a%20greener%20and%20more%20affordable%20future%20for%20fuel%20cell%20technology%20while%20addressing%20pressing%20environmental%20challenges.

Mining waste turned into low-carbon minerals

What%20if%20the%20breakthrough%20in%20battery%20recycling%20wasn%E2%80%99t%20high-tech%E2%80%94but%20prehistoric%3F%0A%0AAs%20the%20world%20braces%20for%20a%20flood%20of%20end-of-life%20lithium%20batteries%20from%20electric%20vehicles%20and%20electronics%2C%20recycling%20systems%20are%20struggling%20to%20keep%20pace.%0A%0ACurrent%20methods%20are%20often%20expensive%2C%20energy-intensive%2C%20and%20environmentally%20taxing.%20But%20a%20small%20UK%20startup%20believes%20the%20solution%20might%20lie%20in%20nature%E2%80%99s%20oldest%20engineers%3A%20bacteria%20that%20have%20been%20around%20for%20tens%20of%20millions%20of%20years.%0A%0ACell%20Cycle%2C%20a%20startup%20under%20the%20SER%20Group%2C%20has%20developed%20a%20novel%20approach%20called%20LithiumCycle%20that%20uses%20engineered%20microbes%20to%20break%20down%20batteries%20and%20recover%20critical%20minerals%20like%20lithium%2C%20nickel%2C%20and%20cobalt.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EBugs%2C%20not%20big%20furnaces%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AThese%20bacteria%2C%20which%20have%20shaped%20metal%20formations%20for%20millennia%2C%20are%20now%20being%20deployed%20to%20create%20a%20low-energy%2C%20low-emissions%20recycling%20process%2C%20potentially%20turning%20a%20major%20waste%20problem%20into%20a%20sustainable%20loop.%0A%0AMax%20Nagle%2C%20who%20leads%20the%20company%2C%20explained%20that%20the%20idea%20stemmed%20from%20how%20bacteria%20have%20long%20been%20used%20in%20mining%20to%20break%20down%20rock%20and%20extract%20minerals.%20More%20recently%2C%20these%20tiny%20organisms%20have%20even%20been%20used%20to%20reclaim%20metals%20from%20shredded%20electronics.%20But%20for%20some%20reason%2C%20no%20one%20had%20seriously%20tried%20them%20on%20batteries%E2%80%94until%20now.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThere%E2%80%99s%20all%20this%20knowledge%2C%20expertise%2C%20and%20application%20in%20other%20industries%2C%20with%20batteries%20being%20such%20a%20massive%20concern%20right%20now%2C%20why%20has%20nobody%20adapted%20this%20for%20something%20that%20is%20so%20manmade%2C%20like%20a%20battery%3F%20Bacteria%20have%20a%20proven%20track%20record%20in%20other%20areas%20and%20industries%2C%20and%20are%20capable%20of%20recovering%20every%20kind%20of%20critical%20mineral%20you%20can%20think%20of.%20These%20bacteria%20have%20existed%20longer%20than%20humankind%2C%20they%E2%80%99re%2050%20million%20years%20old%20and%20have%20shaped%20our%20coasts%2C%20islands%2C%20the%20way%20that%20metal%20is%20formed%20and%20produced%2C%20and%20so%20on%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20told%20Engineer%20Live.%0A%0A%3Cb%3ETank%20over%20tech%20towers%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AThat%20thinking%20led%20to%20a%20surprisingly%20nimble%20approach.%20While%20most%20battery%20recycling%20plants%20are%20designed%20around%20one%20specific%20type%20of%20battery%20and%20require%20huge%20investments%20in%20custom%20machinery%2C%20Cell%20Cycle%E2%80%99s%20process%20only%20needs%20a%20bioreactor%20tank.%20If%20demand%20grows%2C%20they%20don%E2%80%99t%20need%20to%20rebuild%E2%80%94they%20just%20need%20a%20bigger%20tank.%0A%0AAnd%20because%20batteries%20contain%20far%20fewer%20types%20of%20metals%2C%20the%20task%20is%20actually%20more%20straightforward%20than%20some%20of%20the%20microbial%20challenges%20bacteria%20have%20already%20mastered.%0A%0AAt%20the%20moment%2C%20the%20UK%20has%20no%20battery%20refining%20capabilities%20of%20its%20own%2C%20so%20most%20battery%20waste%20must%20be%20shipped%20abroad%20for%20processing.%0A%0ACell%20Cycle%20hopes%20its%20technology%20will%20help%20change%20that.%20In%20the%20early%20days%2C%20the%20company%20focused%20on%20building%20out%20an%20international%20network%20to%20ensure%20batteries%20of%20all%20chemistries%20could%20be%20handled%20responsibly.%20But%20the%20long%20game%20is%20clear%3A%20bring%20the%20whole%20recycling%20loop%20back%20home.%0A%0AWith%20backing%20from%20Innovate%20UK%20and%20Coventry%20University%2C%20the%20team%20is%20scaling%20up%20quickly.%20A%20second%20lab%20at%20its%20Manchester%20headquarters%20is%20nearly%20ready%2C%20and%20Cell%20Cycle%20aims%20to%20launch%20commercial-scale%20operations%20by%202026.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EClean%2C%20cost-effective%20method%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0APerhaps%20most%20striking%20is%20how%20low-impact%20the%20process%20is.%20The%20bacteria%20used%20by%20Cell%20Cycle%20thrive%20at%20body%20temperature%E2%80%94just%2037%20degrees%20Celsius%E2%80%94and%20don%E2%80%99t%20need%20massive%20energy%20inputs.%20They%20can%20regenerate%20themselves%2C%20feed%20off%20CO%E2%82%82%2C%20and%20even%20return%20oxygen%20to%20the%20system.%20The%20process%20is%20so%20clean%2C%20Nagle%20said%2C%20that%20it%20could%20end%20up%20being%20not%20just%20carbon%20neutral%2C%20but%20carbon%20negative.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20grow%20the%20bacteria%2C%20we%20cultivate%20it%2C%20and%20once%20it%20reaches%20a%20certain%20point%2C%20we%20regenerate%20the%20bacteria.%20We%20don%E2%80%99t%20lose%20it%20as%20a%20byproduct%20of%20our%20recycling%20process%2C%20any%20kind%20of%20effluent%20feeds%20right%20back%20through%20the%20bacteria%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%0A%0AWith%20mounting%20regulatory%20pressure%2C%20surging%20EV%20adoption%2C%20and%20increasing%20scrutiny%20over%20supply%20chains%20for%20critical%20minerals%2C%20Cell%20Cycle%E2%80%99s%20nature-inspired%20approach%20could%20offer%20the%20battery%20industry%20a%20much-needed%20blueprint%20for%20truly%20sustainable%20recycling.%0A%0AAs%20Nagle%20puts%20it%2C%20sometimes%20the%20most%20advanced%20solutions%20aren%E2%80%99t%20the%20ones%20we%20invent%E2%80%94but%20the%20ones%20we%20rediscover.

Recycling lithium batteries with bacteria

The%20Council%20of%20the%20European%20Union%20said%20on%20Tuesday%20it%20had%20agreed%20on%20setting%20requirements%20to%20ensure%20that%20new%20vehicles%20are%20designed%20in%20a%20way%20that%20supports%20their%20re-use%20and%20recycling.%0A%0AIn%20a%20statement%2C%20the%20council%20said%20its%20position%20was%20based%20on%20the%20extended%20producer%20responsibility%20(EPR)%20regime%2C%20an%20environmental%20policy%20under%20which%20producers%20are%20held%20responsible%20for%20the%20entire%20lifecycle%20of%20their%20products%2C%20including%20post-consumer%20waste%20management.%0A%0A%22The%20regulation%20in%20particular%20introduces%20a%20mandatory%20target%20for%20recycled%20plastics%20and%20opens%20the%20possibility%20to%20set%20future%20targets%20for%20recycled%20steel%2C%20aluminium%2C%20and%20critical%20raw%20materials%2C%22%20the%20council%20said.%0A%0AIn%20a%20statement%2C%20the%20European%20Automobile%20Manufacturers%20Association%20(ACEA)%20welcomed%20the%20council's%20position%2C%20adding%20it%20should%20not%20weigh%20on%20the%20sector's%20competitiveness.%0A%0A%22The%20new%20end-of-life%20vehicle%20recycling%20rules%20must%20be%20technically%20feasible%20and%20supported%20by%20a%20coherent%20framework.%20Transforming%20end-of-life-vehicle%20recycling%20will%20not%20happen%20overnight%2C%22%20said%20ACEA%20director%20general%20Sigrid%20de%20Vries.%0A%0AThe%20council%20will%20now%20start%20negotiations%20with%20the%20European%20Parliament%20on%20the%20definitive%20setting%20of%20the%20rules.

EU Council approves new vehicle recycling rules

A%20team%20of%20international%20scientists%20has%20unveiled%20a%20breakthrough%20recycling%20process%20that%20could%20dramatically%20reduce%20the%20financial%20and%20environmental%20toll%20of%20PET%20plastic%2C%20the%20most%20common%20material%20in%20bottles%20and%20food%20containers%2C%20potentially%20transforming%20how%20the%20world%20handles%20its%20plastic%20waste.%0A%0AThe%20new%20method%2C%20led%20by%20the%20U.S.%20Department%20of%20Energy%E2%80%99s%20National%20Renewable%20Energy%20Laboratory%20(NREL)%20and%20including%20Professor%20Andrew%20Pickford%2C%20the%20Director%20of%20the%20Centre%20for%20Enzyme%20Innovation%20(CEI)%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Portsmouth%2C%20introduces%20a%20series%20of%20innovations%20that%20charts%20a%20path%20to%20making%20future%20enzymatic%20recycling%20of%20PET%20not%20only%20environmentally%20sustainable%20but%20also%20cheaper%20than%20producing%20new%20plastic%20from%20fossil%20fuels.%20%0A%0AThe%20findings%2C%20published%20in%20Nature%20Chemical%20Engineering%2C%20show%20the%20new%20process%20cuts%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%20by%20nearly%20half%20and%20reduces%20operating%20costs%20by%2074%20per%20cent%20compared%20to%20previous%20techniques.%20One%20of%20the%20most%20significant%20advances%20in%20the%20study%20involves%20replacing%20the%20base%20sodium%20hydroxide%20with%20ammonium%20hydroxide%2C%20a%20subtle%20chemical%20switch%20that%20unlocked%20an%20important%20change.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CSometimes%2C%20the%20key%20to%20a%20global%20challenge%20lies%20in%20rethinking%20a%20single%20chemical%2C%E2%80%9D%20explained%20Professor%20Pickford.%20%E2%80%9CBy%20choosing%20a%20different%20base%2C%20one%20that%20could%20be%20recycled%20within%20the%20process%2C%20we%20managed%20to%20close%20a%20loop%20and%20significantly%20improve%20both%20the%20sustainability%20and%20the%20economics%20of%20the%20system.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AAmmonium%20hydroxide%20not%20only%20maintained%20the%20pH%20required%20for%20enzymatic%20PET%20breakdown%2C%20but%20allowed%20for%20in-process%20regeneration%20of%20the%20base%20via%20thermolysis%20of%20the%20breakdown%20product%2C%20nearly%20eliminating%20the%20use%20of%20fresh%20acid%20and%20base%20chemicals.%20The%20study%20found%20the%20process%20adjustments%20reduced%20expensive%20acid%20and%20base%20additions%20by%20over%2099%20per%20cent%2C%20reduced%20annual%20running%20costs%20by%2074%20per%20cent%2C%20and%20reduced%20energy%20use%20by%2065%20per%20cent.%20%0A%0AThe%20new%20process%20addresses%20long-standing%20challenges%20in%20enzymatic%20recycling.%20While%20mechanical%20recycling%20is%20energy%20efficient%2C%20much%20of%20the%20PET%20waste%20stream%20%E2%80%93%20such%20as%20coloured%20plastics%2C%20thermoforms%2C%20and%20textile%20fibres%20%E2%80%93%20is%20unsuitable%20for%20it.%20Enzymatic%20recycling%20offers%20a%20way%20to%20break%20PET%20down%20into%20its%20basic%20chemical%20components%2C%20but%20until%20now%20it%20has%20faced%20prohibitive%20costs%20and%20environmental%20downsides.%0A%0AProfessor%20John%20McGeehan%2C%20who%20recently%20joined%20the%20NREL%20team%20from%20the%20University%20of%20Portsmouth%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CI%20am%20delighted%20to%20be%20part%20of%20a%20team%20that%20is%20dedicated%20to%20translate%20fundamental%20science%20towards%20real-world%20application%20and%20look%20forward%20to%20working%20closely%20between%20NREL%20and%20our%20industry%20partners%20to%20accelerate%20the%20design%20and%20construction%20of%20the%20first%20US%20enzymatic%20plastic%20recycling%20plants.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ADr%20Gregg%20Beckham%2C%20co-lead%20of%20this%20study%20from%20NREL%20added%3A%20%E2%80%9CDespite%20the%20advantages%20of%20enzymatic%20recycling%20for%20complex%20plastic%20waste%20streams%2C%20the%20field%20has%20encountered%20multiple%20challenges%20for%20realistic%20implementation.%20Here%20we%20have%20taken%20a%20multidisciplinary%20approach%20that%20incorporates%20multiple%20innovations%20to%20realize%20an%20economically%20viable%20and%20scalable%20process.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AIn%20technical%20terms%2C%20using%20ammonium%20hydroxide%20allows%20for%20the%20production%20of%20diammonium%20terephthalate%2C%20which%20can%20then%20be%20broken%20down%20through%20a%20process%20called%20thermolysis%20to%20regenerate%20ammonia%20and%20produce%20pure%20terephthalic%20acid%2C%20one%20of%20the%20two%20key%20PET%20building%20blocks.%20This%20means%20the%20base%20can%20be%20reused%20indefinitely%2C%20vastly%20reducing%20waste%20and%20raw%20material%20input.%0A%0AAlongside%20the%20ammonia-based%20innovation%2C%20the%20researchers%20optimised%20the%20pre-treatment%20of%20plastics%20via%20extrusion%20and%20quenching%2C%20enabling%20complete%20depolymerisation%20in%2050%20hours.%20It%20also%20improved%20the%20recovery%20of%20ethylene%20glycol%2C%20another%20core%20PET%20component%2C%20by%20increasing%20its%20concentration%20during%20fed-batch%20processing.%20%0A%0AThe%20result%20was%20a%20closed-loop%20PET%20recycling%20process%20with%20a%20minimum%20selling%20price%20of%20%241.51%2Fkg%2C%20undercutting%20the%20%241.87%2Fkg%20cost%20of%20virgin%20PET.%0A%0AProfessor%20Pickford%20added%3A%20%E2%80%9CPET%20is%20one%20of%20the%20most%20widely%20used%20plastics%20in%20the%20world%2C%20and%20its%20current%20low%20recycling%20rates%20are%20a%20major%20environmental%20concern.%20This%20is%20the%20first-time%20enzymatic%20recycling%20of%20PET%20has%20looked%20not%20only%20environmentally%20preferable%2C%20but%20commercially%20viable.%20It%E2%80%99s%20the%20sort%20of%20progress%20we%20need%20if%20we%E2%80%99re%20serious%20about%20ending%20plastic%20pollution.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AWhile%20the%20process%20has%20yet%20to%20be%20rolled%20out%20at%20industrial%20scale%2C%20the%20researchers%20are%20optimistic.%20This%20study%20brings%20that%20positive%20change%20a%20step%20closer.%0A%0AThe%20research%20team%20is%20made%20up%20of%20scientists%20from%20the%20National%20Renewable%20Energy%20Laboratory%20(NREL)%2C%20the%20University%20of%20Massachusetts%20Lowell%2C%20and%20the%20University%20of%20Portsmouth%20in%20England.%0A%0AThe%20organisations%20previously%20partnered%20on%20the%20biological%20engineering%20of%20improved%20PETase%20enzymes%20that%20can%20break%20down%20polyethylene%20terephthalate%20(PET).%20With%20its%20low%20manufacturing%20cost%20and%20excellent%20material%20properties%2C%20PET%20is%20used%20extensively%20in%20single-use%20packaging%2C%20soda%20bottles%2C%20and%20textiles.

Greener, cheaper plastic recycling with enzymes

The%20European%20Commission%20has%20introduced%20sweeping%20new%20rules%20to%20transform%20how%20the%20continent%20recycles%20waste%20batteries.%0A%0ASet%20to%20take%20effect%20on%2024%20July%202025%2C%20the%20regulations%20are%20designed%20to%20boost%20material%20recovery%2C%20cut%20waste%2C%20and%20safeguard%20access%20to%20critical%20raw%20materials%20like%20lithium%2C%20cobalt%2C%20and%20nickel%2C%20essential%20for%20everything%20from%20electric%20vehicles%20to%20renewable%20energy%20storage.%0A%0AAs%20Europe%20accelerates%20its%20green%20transition%2C%20these%20new%20rules%20signal%20a%20major%20pivot%3A%20batteries%20will%20no%20longer%20be%20seen%20as%20disposable%20power%20sources%2C%20but%20as%20valuable%20resource%20hubs%20that%20can%20fuel%20a%20circular%2C%20resilient%2C%20and%20competitive%20economy.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EA%20vital%20step%20for%20climate%20and%20circular%20goals%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0ABatteries%20are%20central%20to%20Europe%E2%80%99s%20green%20transition%20%E2%80%93%20powering%20electric%20vehicles%2C%20storing%20renewable%20energy%2C%20and%20supporting%20the%20EU%E2%80%99s%20goal%20of%20climate%20neutrality%20by%202050.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20the%20increasing%20reliance%20on%20batteries%20has%20also%20highlighted%20the%20urgent%20need%20to%20secure%20access%20to%20critical%20and%20strategic%20raw%20materials.%0A%0ATo%20tackle%20this%20challenge%2C%20the%20Commission%E2%80%99s%20new%20rules%20ensure%20that%20more%20of%20these%20valuable%20materials%20are%20efficiently%20recovered%20and%20reused%2C%20reducing%20dependency%20on%20third-country%20imports%20and%20supporting%20the%20EU%E2%80%99s%20goal%20of%20strategic%20autonomy.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EClearer%20guidelines%20to%20level%20the%20playing%20field%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AThe%20new%20framework%20establishes%20harmonised%20methodologies%20for%20calculating%20both%20recycling%20efficiency%20and%20material%20recovery%20rates.%0A%0AIt%20applies%20to%20all%20major%20battery%20types%20%E2%80%93%20lead-acid%2C%20nickel-cadmium%2C%20lithium-based%2C%20and%20others%20%E2%80%93%20and%20sets%20clear%20expectations%20for%20recyclers%20across%20the%20EU.%0A%0ABy%20enforcing%20a%20consistent%20calculation%20method%20and%20documentation%20format%2C%20the%20regulation%20aims%20to%20prevent%20unfair%20competition%20in%20the%20growing%20market%20for%20secondary%20raw%20materials%2C%20where%20inconsistencies%20in%20data%20have%20previously%20hindered%20progress.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EAmbitious%20battery%20recycling%20and%20recovery%20targets%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AAs%20outlined%20in%20Annex%20XII%20of%20the%20Batteries%20Regulation%2C%20recyclers%20must%20meet%20specific%20targets%20for%20recycling%20efficiency%20by%2031%20December%202025%3A%0A%0A%E2%96%AA%EF%B8%8E%2075%25%20for%20lead-acid%20batteries%0A%E2%96%AA%EF%B8%8E%2065%25%20for%20lithium-based%20batteries%0A%E2%96%AA%EF%B8%8E%2080%25%20for%20nickel-cadmium%20batteries%0A%E2%96%AA%EF%B8%8E%2050%25%20for%20other%20batteries%0A%0AThese%20will%20rise%20further%20by%202030%2C%20with%20lithium-based%20battery%20efficiency%20targets%20increasing%20to%2070%25%20and%20lead-acid%20to%2080%25.%0A%0AEqually%20ambitious%20are%20the%20material%20recovery%20targets%3A%0A%0ABy%202027%3A%2090%25%20for%20cobalt%2C%20copper%2C%20lead%2C%20and%20nickel%3B%2050%25%20for%20lithium%0ABy%202031%3A%2095%25%20for%20cobalt%2C%20copper%2C%20lead%2C%20and%20nickel%3B%2080%25%20for%20lithium%0AThese%20targets%20reflect%20the%20EU%E2%80%99s%20commitment%20to%20closing%20the%20loop%20on%20battery%20materials%20and%20reducing%20waste%20through%20efficient%20reuse.%0A%0ASecuring%20supply%20chains%20through%20better%20battery%20recycling%0ABeyond%20environmental%20benefits%2C%20enhancing%20material%20recovery%20capabilities%20is%20a%20strategic%20imperative.%0A%0AAs%20the%20global%20race%20for%20raw%20materials%20intensifies%2C%20Europe%E2%80%99s%20ability%20to%20recycle%20and%20retain%20valuable%20resources%20domestically%20becomes%20crucial%20to%20safeguarding%20its%20industrial%20resilience%20and%20maintaining%20supply%20chain%20security.%0A%0AImproved%20battery%20recycling%20infrastructure%20not%20only%20lessens%20reliance%20on%20volatile%20international%20markets%20but%20also%20helps%20drive%20innovation%20and%20job%20creation%20in%20the%20green%20tech%20sector.%0A%0ADeveloped%20with%20input%20from%20the%20Joint%20Research%20Centre%20and%20key%20stakeholders%2C%20this%20delegated%20act%20represents%20a%20major%20step%20in%20Europe%E2%80%99s%20battery%20policy.%0A%0AAs%20implementation%20nears%2C%20the%20EU%20positions%20itself%20at%20the%20forefront%20of%20sustainable%20battery%20use%2C%20transforming%20waste%20into%20value%20and%20material%20recovery%20into%20a%20cornerstone%20of%20its%20circular%20economy.

EU introduces new rules for battery recycling

The%20Hanford%20Nuclear%20Reservation%20in%20southeastern%20Washington%2C%20once%20the%20core%20of%20U.S.%20plutonium%20production%20during%20the%20Cold%20War%2C%20is%20entering%20a%20historic%20new%20phase%20in%20its%20cleanup%20mission.%20After%20decades%20of%20storing%20radioactive%20byproducts%2C%20the%20site%20is%20preparing%20to%20transform%20toxic%20nuclear%20waste%20into%20a%20safer%2C%20more%20stable%20form.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EFinal%20approval%20for%20vitrification%20process%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AState%20regulators%20have%20granted%20the%20final%20permit%20required%20to%20launch%20a%20vitrification%20process%E2%80%94a%20highly%20engineered%20method%20that%20converts%20liquid%20radioactive%20and%20chemical%20waste%20into%20solid%20glass.%20Workers%20will%20remove%20the%20hazardous%20materials%20from%20aging%2C%20leaking%20underground%20tanks%2C%20blend%20the%20waste%20with%20chemical%20additives%2C%20and%20heat%20the%20mixture%20to%20over%202%2C000%C2%B0F%20(1%2C000%C2%B0C).%0A%0AThe%20molten%20blend%20is%20then%20cooled%20into%20durable%20glass%20logs%20stored%20in%20stainless%20steel%20containers.%20Although%20the%20waste%20remains%20radioactive%2C%20vitrification%20locks%20it%20into%20a%20stable%20form%2C%20drastically%20reducing%20the%20risk%20of%20it%20leaching%20into%20the%20soil%20or%20contaminating%20the%20nearby%20Columbia%20River.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20standing%20at%20a%20pivotal%20moment%20in%20Hanford%E2%80%99s%20history%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Casey%20Sixkiller%2C%20Director%20of%20the%20Washington%20State%20Department%20of%20Ecology.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EFrom%20Manhattan%20project%20to%20modern-day%20cleanup%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AHanford%E2%80%99s%20600-square-mile%20site%20sits%20at%20the%20confluence%20of%20the%20Snake%20and%20Columbia%20rivers%E2%80%94a%20landscape%20sacred%20to%20Native%20American%20tribes%20for%20thousands%20of%20years.%20In%201943%2C%20the%20U.S.%20government%20seized%20the%20land%20for%20the%20Manhattan%20Project%2C%20displacing%20more%20than%202%2C000%20residents%20to%20build%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20first%20full-scale%20plutonium%20production%20facility.%0A%0ATens%20of%20thousands%20of%20workers%20were%20recruited%20nationwide%2C%20most%20unaware%20that%20they%20were%20producing%20material%20for%20the%20atomic%20bombs%20dropped%20on%20Hiroshima%20and%20Nagasaki.%20Hanford%20eventually%20expanded%20to%20nine%20nuclear%20reactors%2C%20producing%20plutonium%20until%20the%20last%20reactor%20was%20shut%20down%20in%201987.%0A%0ABy%201989%2C%20cleanup%20agreements%20were%20signed%20between%20the%20U.S.%20Department%20of%20Energy%20(DOE)%2C%20the%20EPA%2C%20and%20the%20State%20of%20Washington%20to%20address%20widespread%20contamination.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ELeaking%20tanks%20and%20ongoing%20contamination%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AHanford%20still%20contains%20177%20underground%20tanks%20holding%20approximately%2056%20million%20gallons%20(212%20million%20liters)%20of%20radioactive%20and%20chemically%20hazardous%20waste.%20Built%20for%20a%2025-year%20lifespan%2C%20the%20tanks%20are%20now%20decades%20past%20their%20intended%20use.%20More%20than%20one-third%20have%20leaked%2C%20with%20three%20tanks%20currently%20confirmed%20to%20be%20releasing%20waste%20into%20the%20environment.%0A%0AHistorically%2C%20the%20site%20discharged%20untreated%20effluent%20into%20the%20Columbia%20River%20and%20inadequately%20contained%20waste%20in%20open%20ponds%2C%20leading%20to%20groundwater%20contamination%20and%20long-term%20environmental%20damage.%20Today%2C%20the%20cleanup%20effort%20consumes%20an%20annual%20budget%20of%20roughly%20%243%20billion.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EBillions%20invested%20in%20waste%20treatment%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ASince%20the%201980s%2C%20vitrification%20technology%20has%20been%20recognized%20as%20one%20of%20the%20most%20effective%20methods%20for%20stabilizing%20nuclear%20waste.%20Hanford%E2%80%99s%20cleanup%20includes%20two%20waste%20treatment%20plants%3A%20one%20newly%20approved%20for%20low-level%20radioactive%20waste%2C%20and%20another%20still%20under%20construction%20for%20high-level%20waste.%20To%20date%2C%20more%20than%20%2430%20billion%20has%20been%20invested%20in%20the%20effort.%0A%0AThe%20DOE%20is%20required%20to%20begin%20vitrification%20by%20October%2015%2C%202025%2C%20under%20its%20agreement%20with%20Washington%20State%20and%20the%20EPA.%20The%20first%20treatment%20phase%20will%20include%20radioactive%20isotopes%20such%20as%20cesium%20and%20strontium%2C%20which%20pose%20significant%20long-term%20hazards.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ELeadership%20challenges%20and%20federal%20responsibility%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AConcerns%20about%20leadership%20and%20accountability%20recently%20surfaced%20when%20Roger%20Jarrell%2C%20a%20top%20DOE%20cleanup%20overseer%2C%20was%20dismissed.%20Reports%20suggested%20potential%20delays%2C%20raising%20alarm%20among%20state%20officials%20and%20prompting%20Senator%20Patty%20Murray%20to%20demand%20firm%20commitments%20from%20Energy%20Secretary%20Chris%20Wright.%0A%0AWright%20later%20reassured%20the%20public%2C%20confirming%20that%20vitrification%20operations%20would%20begin%20on%20schedule%3A%0A%E2%80%9CAlthough%20challenges%20remain%2C%20we%20are%20committed%20to%20launching%20operations%20by%20October%2015%2C%202025.%20Protecting%20both%20our%20workforce%20and%20surrounding%20communities%20is%20our%20top%20priority.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AWashington%20Governor%20Bob%20Ferguson%20praised%20the%20state%E2%80%99s%20approval%20process%20while%20pressing%20the%20federal%20government%20to%20honor%20its%20cleanup%20obligations%3A%0A%E2%80%9COur%20state%20has%20done%20its%20part%20to%20prepare%20the%20Waste%20Treatment%20Plant.%20Now%20it%E2%80%99s%20time%20for%20the%20federal%20government%20to%20live%20up%20to%20its%20responsibilities%20and%20clean%20up%20what%20they%20left%20behind.%E2%80%9D

Hanford site begins nuclear waste cleanup

Thanks%20to%20groundbreaking%20advances%20in%20science%2C%20materials%20once%20considered%20major%20pollutants%20are%20now%20being%20transformed%20into%20valuable%20resources%20for%20a%20cleaner%2C%20more%20sustainable%20planet.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EFrom%20plastic%20waste%20to%20energy%20solutions%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AResearchers%20in%20China%20have%20developed%20innovative%20ways%20to%20convert%20plastic%20waste%20into%20high-performance%20carbon%20materials%E2%80%94essential%20components%20for%20next-generation%20batteries%20and%20supercapacitors.%0AThe%20team%20from%20Shenyang%20Agricultural%20University%20believes%20their%20findings%20could%20play%20a%20crucial%20role%20in%20addressing%20the%20escalating%20issue%20of%20plastic%20pollution%20worldwide.%0A%0AThrough%20advanced%20conversion%20processes%2C%20waste%20plastics%20can%20be%20turned%20into%20carbon%20nanotubes%2C%20graphene%2C%20and%20porous%20carbon%E2%80%94materials%20widely%20used%20in%20energy%20storage%20devices.%20If%20implemented%20at%20scale%2C%20these%20technologies%20could%20generate%20products%20of%20immense%20economic%20and%20technological%20value.%0A%0A%E2%80%9COur%20goal%20is%20to%20turn%20plastic%20waste%20from%20an%20environmental%20burden%20into%20a%20sustainable%20resource%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Dr.%20Gaixiu%20Yang%20of%20the%20Guangzhou%20Institute%20of%20Energy%20Conversion%2C%20Chinese%20Academy%20of%20Sciences.%0A%E2%80%9CBy%20using%20advanced%20carbonization%20technologies%2C%20we%20can%20recover%20carbon%20from%20plastics%20and%20reuse%20it%20for%20energy%20and%20environmental%20applications%2C%E2%80%9D%20Yang%20added%20in%20an%20October%2027%20press%20release.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EAddressing%20the%20global%20waste%20crisis%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ASince%20Leo%20Baekeland%20created%20phenolic%20resin%20in%201907%2C%20plastics%20have%20become%20integral%20to%20modern%20life%20due%20to%20their%20durability%2C%20low%20cost%2C%20and%20versatility.%0AHowever%2C%20their%20extensive%20use%20has%20led%20to%20an%20alarming%20surge%20in%20plastic%20waste.%20In%202021%20alone%2C%20the%20world%20produced%20over%20390%20million%20tons%20of%20plastic%E2%80%94most%20of%20which%20continues%20to%20pollute%20the%20environment.%0A%0ATraditional%20disposal%20methods%20such%20as%20landfilling%2C%20incineration%2C%20and%20mechanical%20recycling%20have%20proven%20inadequate%2C%20often%20causing%20secondary%20pollution%20instead%20of%20solving%20the%20problem.%0ATo%20combat%20this%2C%20researchers%20worldwide%20are%20exploring%20innovative%20methods%20to%20transform%20plastic%20waste%20into%20valuable%20products%2C%20including%20fuels%20and%20carbon-based%20materials.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EInnovative%20techniques%20for%20plastic-to-carbon%20conversion%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AA%20recent%20study%20published%20in%20Sustainable%20Carbon%20Materials%20provides%20a%20comprehensive%20review%20of%20both%20established%20and%20emerging%20techniques%20for%20converting%20plastic%20waste%20into%20carbon%20products.%0A%0AOne%20standout%20innovation%20is%20flash%20Joule%20heating%2C%20a%20highly%20efficient%20method%20capable%20of%20producing%20high-quality%20graphene%20from%20plastic%20waste%20in%20just%20milliseconds.%20Remarkably%2C%20it%20consumes%20less%20than%200.1%20kilowatt-hour%20of%20energy%20per%20kilogram%20of%20material.%0A%0AOther%20promising%20methods%2C%20such%20as%20catalytic%20pyrolysis%20and%20one-pot%20synthesis%2C%20can%20produce%20carbon%20nanotubes%20and%20porous%20carbon%20with%20excellent%20structural%20properties.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EToward%20a%20circular%20carbon%20economy%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0APlastic-derived%20carbon%20materials%20are%20showing%20tremendous%20promise%20in%20the%20energy%20sector%2C%20particularly%20as%20electrodes%20for%20lithium-ion%20batteries%20and%20supercapacitors.%0AIn%20experiments%2C%20porous%20carbon%20made%20from%20plastic%20waste%20demonstrated%20an%20energy%20storage%20capacity%20nearly%20matching%20the%20theoretical%20maximum%20for%20selenium%20batteries%2C%20while%20maintaining%20exceptional%20stability%20over%20multiple%20charge%20cycles.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20a%20promising%20pathway%20toward%20a%20circular%20carbon%20economy%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Professor%20Yan%20Chen%20from%20the%20South%20China%20University%20of%20Technology.%0A%E2%80%9CTransforming%20waste%20plastics%20into%20functional%20carbon%20materials%20could%20help%20close%20the%20loop%20between%20pollution%20control%20and%20renewable%20energy.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ABeyond%20energy%20storage%2C%20these%20carbon%20materials%20can%20also%20aid%20in%20environmental%20remediation%E2%80%94capturing%20carbon%20dioxide%20(CO%E2%82%82)%2C%20and%20removing%20heavy%20metals%20and%20antibiotics%20from%20wastewater.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EOvercoming%20challenges%20for%20global%20adoption%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ADespite%20the%20immense%20potential%2C%20researchers%20emphasize%20that%20several%20challenges%20remain%20before%20these%20technologies%20can%20be%20scaled%20globally.%0AKey%20hurdles%20include%20optimizing%20catalyst%20design%2C%20enhancing%20product%20selectivity%2C%20and%20ensuring%20consistent%20conversion%20to%20high-value%20carbon%20materials.%0A%0AWith%20continued%20innovation%20and%20support%2C%20however%2C%20this%20approach%20could%20turn%20one%20of%20humanity%E2%80%99s%20most%20pressing%20pollution%20problems%20into%20a%20cornerstone%20of%20sustainable%20energy%20and%20environmental%20recovery.

Scientists convert plastic waste into carbon

A%20groundbreaking%20four-year%20national%20research%20project%20%E2%80%94%20UNSaFE%20(Understanding%20the%20Scale%2C%20Sources%2C%20Fate%20and%20Effects%20of%20PFAS%20pollution)%20%E2%80%94%20is%20set%20to%20uncover%20how%20toxic%20forever%20chemicals%20(PFAS)%20move%20through%20the%20environment%2C%20harm%20ecosystems%2C%20and%20threaten%20public%20health.%0A%0ALed%20by%20experts%20from%20Brunel%20University%20London%2C%20Imperial%20College%20London%2C%20King%E2%80%99s%20College%20London%2C%20and%20the%20UK%20Centre%20for%20Ecology%20%26%20Hydrology%2C%20the%20initiative%20is%20funded%20by%20UK%20Research%20and%20Innovation%20(UKRI).%20The%20Environment%20Agency%20and%20Earthwatch%20are%20key%20partners%2C%20helping%20to%20engage%20thousands%20of%20volunteers%20across%20Britain%20to%20monitor%20PFAS%20levels%20in%20rivers%2C%20lakes%2C%20and%20streams%20nationwide.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWhat%20are%20PFAS%20and%20why%20are%20they%20dangerous%3F%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0APFAS%20(per-%20and%20polyfluoroalkyl%20substances)%20are%20a%20large%20family%20of%20human-made%20chemicals%20used%20in%20everyday%20items%20%E2%80%94%20from%20non-stick%20cookware%20and%20food%20packaging%20to%20waterproof%20clothing%20and%20firefighting%20foams.%0A%0ATheir%20durability%2C%20once%20praised%2C%20now%20poses%20a%20serious%20environmental%20threat.%20Dubbed%20%E2%80%9Cforever%20chemicals%2C%E2%80%9D%20PFAS%20resist%20natural%20breakdown%20and%20can%20linger%20in%20soil%20and%20water%20for%20decades.%20Over%20time%2C%20they%20accumulate%20in%20fish%2C%20wildlife%2C%20and%20human%20bodies%2C%20climbing%20the%20food%20chain.%0A%0AScientific%20studies%20link%20PFAS%20exposure%20to%20a%20range%20of%20health%20problems%2C%20including%20liver%20and%20thyroid%20damage%2C%20immune%20system%20suppression%2C%20and%20reproductive%20disorders.%20Globally%2C%20there%20may%20be%20over%2015%2C000%20PFAS%20variants%2C%20but%20only%20a%20small%20fraction%20have%20been%20properly%20tested%20or%20monitored.%0A%0AIn%20the%20United%20Kingdom%2C%20research%20reveals%20that%20over%2090%25%20of%20surface%20waters%20near%20wastewater%20treatment%20plants%20exceed%20safe%20limits%20for%20perfluorooctanoic%20acid%20(PFOA)%20%E2%80%94%20one%20of%20the%20most%20common%20PFAS%20compounds.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EMapping%20the%20spread%20of%20PFAS%20in%20UK%20waterways%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20UNSaFE%20study%20will%20be%20the%20most%20comprehensive%20investigation%20to%20date%20into%20PFAS%20contamination%20in%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%20freshwater%20ecosystems.%0A%0AFocusing%20initially%20on%20the%20Thames%20River%20Basin%2C%20researchers%20will%20collect%20samples%20of%20water%2C%20sediment%2C%20and%20aquatic%20organisms%20to%20trace%20how%20PFAS%20chemicals%20enter%20and%20move%20through%20the%20environment.%0A%0AAt%20Brunel%20University%20London%2C%20Dr.%20Thomas%20Miller%E2%80%99s%20team%20will%20study%20how%20PFAS%20compounds%20build%20up%20in%20aquatic%20species%20%E2%80%94%20from%20small%20invertebrates%20to%20fish%20%E2%80%94%20and%20identify%20which%20ones%20pose%20the%20highest%20ecological%20risk.%0A%0AThe%20project%20will%20target%2024%20priority%20PFAS%20compounds%20currently%20regulated%20in%20the%20European%20Union%2C%20using%20advanced%20AI%20tools%2C%20genomic%20sequencing%2C%20and%20innovative%20laboratory%20methods%20to%20detect%20contamination%20and%20assess%20biological%20effects.%0A%0AThese%20insights%20will%20help%20scientists%20establish%20evidence-based%20safety%20standards%20and%20inform%20future%20environmental%20protection%20policies.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ECitizen%20science%3A%20communities%20leading%20the%20charge%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20most%20inspiring%20elements%20of%20the%20UNSaFE%20project%20is%20its%20citizen%20science%20approach.%20Partnering%20with%20Earthwatch%2C%20the%20program%20will%20recruit%20over%203%2C000%20volunteers%20nationwide%20to%20test%20and%20record%20PFAS%20levels%20in%20local%20rivers%2C%20lakes%2C%20and%20streams.%0A%0AThis%20large-scale%2C%20community-driven%20effort%20will%20produce%20an%20unprecedented%20national%20dataset%20on%20PFAS%20pollution%20and%20empower%20local%20communities%20to%20take%20action%20in%20protecting%20their%20waterways.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ESafeguarding%20the%20future%3A%20cleaner%20rivers%2C%20healthier%20ecosystems%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20ultimate%20goal%20of%20UNSaFE%20is%20to%20equip%20policymakers%20with%20the%20strongest%20scientific%20evidence%20yet%20to%20curb%20PFAS%20pollution%20across%20the%20UK.%0A%0ABy%20understanding%20how%20these%20chemicals%20spread%20and%20affect%20wildlife%2C%20researchers%20hope%20to%20drive%20tougher%20environmental%20regulations%20and%20promote%20sustainable%20chemical%20management%20practices.%0A%0AAs%20scientists%20embark%20on%20this%20vital%20mission%2C%20the%20message%20is%20clear%3A%20reducing%20PFAS%20in%20UK%20rivers%20isn%E2%80%99t%20just%20about%20cleaning%20up%20pollution%20%E2%80%94%20it%E2%80%99s%20about%20protecting%20the%20foundation%20of%20Britain%E2%80%99s%20ecosystems%20and%20the%20health%20of%20future%20generations.

UNSaFE project tackles PFAS in UK rivers

In%20a%20landmark%20move%20for%20Finland%E2%80%99s%20energy%20and%20sustainability%20sector%2C%20Teollisuuden%20Voima%20Oyj%20(TVO)%20and%20Rauman%20Biovoima%20Oy%20have%20partnered%20to%20launch%20an%20innovative%20project%20that%20will%20recycle%20maintenance%20waste%20from%20the%20Olkiluoto%20nuclear%20power%20plant%20for%20energy%20production%20at%20the%20Rauman%20Biovoima%20combined%20heat%20and%20power%20(CHP)%20plant%20in%20Rauma.%0A%0AThis%20initiative%20marks%20Finland%E2%80%99s%20first-ever%20effort%20to%20repurpose%20non-radioactive%20nuclear%20power%20plant%20waste%20as%20a%20renewable%20energy%20source%20%E2%80%94%20a%20major%20milestone%20in%20the%20nation%E2%80%99s%20circular%20economy%20goals.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ETransforming%20Olkiluoto%E2%80%99s%20maintenance%20waste%20into%20energy%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AUnder%20this%20collaboration%2C%20non-radiation-controlled%20maintenance%20waste%20from%20TVO%E2%80%99s%20Olkiluoto%20nuclear%20facility%20in%20southwest%20Finland%20will%20be%20transported%20to%20the%20Rauman%20Biovoima%20CHP%20plant.%20The%20waste%20will%20be%20processed%20and%20converted%20into%20electricity%2C%20process%20steam%2C%20and%20district%20heat%2C%20contributing%20to%20cleaner%20and%20more%20efficient%20local%20energy%20production.%0A%0AThe%20first%20pilot%20batch%2C%20totaling%20just%20under%20ten%20cubic%20meters%2C%20is%20expected%20to%20be%20delivered%20by%20the%20end%20of%20November.%20TVO%20estimates%20that%20the%20Olkiluoto%20plant%20generates%2030%E2%80%9380%20cubic%20meters%20of%20recyclable%20maintenance%20waste%20annually%2C%20including%20overalls%2C%20gloves%2C%20and%20plastic%20coverings.%20Materials%20unsuitable%20for%20incineration%20will%20be%20removed%20prior%20to%20transfer%20to%20ensure%20complete%20safety.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ESafe%20and%20sustainable%20waste%20recycling%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAccording%20to%20TVO%2C%20all%20waste%20selected%20for%20this%20process%20is%20verified%20as%20free%20from%20radiation%20and%20completely%20safe%20for%20people%20and%20the%20environment.%20The%20company%20emphasized%20that%20this%20new%20operational%20model%20enables%20the%20reuse%20of%20previously%20landfilled%20materials%20through%20controlled%20energy%20recovery.%0A%0A%20%E2%80%9CThe%20benefit%20of%20the%20new%20operating%20model%20is%20that%20this%20waste%20can%20now%2C%20for%20the%20first%20time%2C%20be%20reclaimed%20for%20reuse%20by%20burning%20it%20for%20energy%2C%E2%80%9D%20TVO%20stated.%0A%0AHistorically%2C%20such%20waste%20was%20buried%20in%20landfills%2C%20a%20process%20that%20incurred%20higher%20costs%20and%20consumed%20valuable%20land%20resources.%20Through%20waste-to-energy%20recycling%2C%20the%20companies%20aim%20to%20reduce%20environmental%20impact%2C%20cut%20disposal%20costs%2C%20and%20enhance%20Finland%E2%80%99s%20circular%20energy%20economy.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ERauman%20Biovoima%3A%20a%20leader%20in%20circular%20energy%20production%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20Rauman%20Biovoima%20CHP%20plant%2C%20operated%20by%20Managing%20Director%20Markus%20Pyyk%C3%B6nen%2C%20will%20handle%20the%20nuclear%20plant%20waste%20without%20requiring%20any%20modifications%20or%20special%20treatment%20processes.%20The%20waste%20will%20be%20treated%20like%20any%20other%20recycled%20biofuel%2C%20blending%20seamlessly%20with%20the%20plant%E2%80%99s%20primary%20fuels%20%E2%80%94%20wood%2C%20logging%20residues%2C%20and%20forest%20industry%20byproducts.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20acceptance%20of%20maintenance%20waste%20exempt%20from%20control%20excellently%20supports%20Rauman%20Biovoima%E2%80%99s%20systematic%20work%20as%20a%20promoter%20of%20the%20circular%20economy%20and%20sustainable%20production%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Pyyk%C3%B6nen.%0A%0AThe%20Rauma%20facility%20already%20supplies%20nearly%20all%20district%20heat%20in%20the%20city%20and%20provides%20energy%20to%20a%20local%20paper%20mill%2C%20reinforcing%20its%20role%20as%20a%20key%20player%20in%20sustainable%20regional%20development.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EAdvancing%20Finland%E2%80%99s%20circular%20energy%20future%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThis%20collaboration%20between%20TVO%20and%20Rauman%20Biovoima%20represents%20a%20pioneering%20step%20toward%20sustainable%20energy%20use%20and%20waste%20minimization.%20Approved%20by%20Finland%E2%80%99s%20Radiation%20and%20Nuclear%20Safety%20Authority%20(STUK)%2C%20the%20project%20adheres%20to%20all%20official%20safety%20and%20environmental%20regulations%20governing%20non-radioactive%20waste%20processing.%0A%0ABy%20turning%20maintenance%20waste%20into%20usable%20energy%2C%20the%20initiative%20aligns%20perfectly%20with%20Finland%E2%80%99s%20national%20sustainability%20targets%2C%20reducing%20landfill%20dependency%20and%20maximizing%20material%20reuse.%0A%0AAs%20the%20pilot%20project%20unfolds%2C%20it%20is%20expected%20to%20serve%20as%20a%20model%20for%20other%20nuclear%20facilities%20across%20Finland%20and%20Europe%2C%20showcasing%20how%20industrial%20byproducts%20can%20be%20safely%20reintegrated%20into%20the%20energy%20cycle.%20This%20marks%20a%20significant%20advancement%20in%20the%20journey%20toward%20carbon%20neutrality%20and%20circular%20energy%20solutions.

Finland recycles nuclear waste into clean energy

Dubai%20has%20announced%20an%20ambitious%20plan%20to%20shut%20down%20all%20landfill%20sites%20by%20the%20end%20of%202027%2C%20positioning%20the%20emirate%20among%20the%20first%20in%20the%20region%20to%20completely%20phase%20out%20traditional%20waste%20dumps%2C%20according%20to%20Emarat%20Al%20Youm.%0A%0ADubai%20Municipality%20revealed%20that%20five%20landfill%20locations%20have%20already%20been%20decommissioned.%20Efforts%20are%20actively%20underway%20to%20close%20the%20final%20two%20sites%E2%80%94Al%20Qusais%20and%20Bayada%E2%80%94as%20the%20city%20accelerates%20its%20shift%20toward%20a%20fully%20integrated%20recycling%20and%20waste-to-energy%20ecosystem.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWaste-to-Eenergy%20centre%20driving%20Dubai%E2%80%99s%20transformation%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ACentral%20to%20Dubai%E2%80%99s%20waste%20management%20overhaul%20is%20the%20Dubai%20Waste-to-Energy%20Centre%2C%20which%20began%20operations%20last%20year%20and%20now%20ranks%20among%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20largest%20facilities%20of%20its%20kind.%20The%20plant%20processes%20roughly%206%2C000%20tonnes%20of%20municipal%20waste%20each%20day%2C%20accounting%20for%20nearly%20half%20of%20Dubai%E2%80%99s%20daily%2013%2C000-tonne%20waste%20generation.%0A%0AUsing%20advanced%20thermal%20conversion%20technology%2C%20the%20centre%20transforms%20waste%20into%20steam%20that%20powers%20turbines%2C%20producing%20200%20megawatt-hours%20of%20electricity%20daily%E2%80%94enough%20to%20supply%20350%2C000%20homes%20in%20partnership%20with%20the%20Dubai%20Electricity%20and%20Water%20Authority%20(DEWA).%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20new%20global%20standard%20for%20circular%20waste%20management%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAdel%20Al%20Marzouqi%2C%20CEO%20of%20the%20Waste%20and%20Sewerage%20Agency%20at%20Dubai%20Municipality%2C%20called%20the%20facility%20a%20%E2%80%9Cglobal%20benchmark%E2%80%9D%20for%20modern%20waste%20management.%20He%20highlighted%20its%20high%20degree%20of%20automation%2C%20massive%20processing%20capacity%2C%20and%20environmentally%20efficient%20systems%20that%20rely%20on%20treated%20water%20for%20power%20generation.%20The%20centre%20currently%20handles%20almost%2050%25%20of%20Dubai%E2%80%99s%20solid%20waste%2C%20converting%20it%20into%20clean%2C%20renewable%20energy.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EFinal%20landfills%20set%20for%20closure%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ADubai%20has%20already%20decommissioned%20landfills%20in%20Warsan%2C%20Jebel%20Ali%2C%20and%20Hatta.%20Once%20Al%20Qusais%20and%20Bayada%20are%20closed%2C%20the%20emirate%20will%20no%20longer%20depend%20on%20conventional%20landfill%20disposal.%20New%20recycling%20hubs%20and%20additional%20waste-to-energy%20plants%20will%20fully%20support%20the%20city%E2%80%99s%20sustainable%20waste%20strategy.%20Al%20Marzouqi%20emphasized%20that%20Dubai%20has%20turned%20a%20global%20waste%20challenge%20into%20a%20success%20story%20through%20cutting-edge%20thermal%20treatment%20technologies%20capable%20of%20processing%20thousands%20of%20tonnes%20daily.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ETurning%20waste%20byproducts%20into%20building%20materials%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ADubai%E2%80%99s%20waste%20strategy%20also%20prioritizes%20repurposing%20byproducts%20from%20the%20incineration%20process.%20Bottom%20ash%E2%80%94the%20residue%20left%20after%20waste%20combustion%E2%80%94is%20now%20being%20reused%20through%20agreements%20with%20DP%20World%20and%20the%20Roads%20and%20Transport%20Authority%20(RTA)%20for%20temporary%20road%20construction.%20Ongoing%20studies%20aim%20to%20incorporate%20this%20ash%20into%20interlock%20and%20paving%20materials%2C%20potentially%20saving%20millions%20of%20dirhams%20annually%20by%20reducing%20reliance%20on%20newly%20mined%20raw%20materials.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20fully%20circular%20and%20sustainable%20waste%20system%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ADubai%E2%80%99s%20circular-waste%20framework%20ensures%20that%20household%20waste%20ultimately%20returns%20to%20communities%20in%20the%20form%20of%20clean%20energy%20powering%20those%20same%20homes.%20This%20closed-loop%20system%20reflects%20the%20emirate%E2%80%99s%20commitment%20to%20sustainability%2C%20innovation%2C%20and%20resource%20efficiency.%20As%20it%20expands%20its%20waste-to-energy%20initiatives%2C%20Dubai%20is%20cementing%20its%20role%20as%20a%20regional%20pioneer%20in%20clean%20energy%20and%20next-generation%20waste%20management.

Dubai plans to eliminate all landfills by 2027

BMW%20Group%2C%20in%20collaboration%20with%20recycling%20specialist%20Encory%20GmbH%2C%20has%20officially%20launched%20a%20cutting-edge%20electric%20vehicle%20(EV)%20battery%20recycling%20facility%20in%20Salching%2C%20Lower%20Bavaria%2C%20Germany.%20This%20new%20site%20%E2%80%94%20called%20the%20Cell%20Recycling%20Competence%20Center%20(CRCC)%20%E2%80%94%20introduces%20an%20innovative%20direct%20recycling%20method%20designed%20to%20recover%20and%20reuse%20valuable%20battery%20materials%20more%20sustainably.%20%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWhat%20makes%20this%20recycling%20process%20unique%3F%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AUnlike%20traditional%20EV%20battery%20recycling%20techniques%20that%20rely%20on%20energy-intensive%20chemical%20or%20thermal%20breakdown%2C%20BMW%E2%80%99s%20direct%20recycling%20process%20mechanically%20dismantles%20battery%20cells%20to%20extract%20raw%20materials%20without%20fully%20reverting%20them%20to%20their%20original%20chemical%20state.%20This%20reduces%20energy%20use%2C%20cuts%20costs%2C%20and%20lowers%20carbon%20emissions%20compared%20with%20conventional%20hydrometallurgical%20or%20smelting%20approaches.%20%0A%0AThe%20recovered%20materials%20are%20then%20fed%20directly%20back%20into%20BMW%E2%80%99s%20battery%20cell%20production%20cycle%2C%20supporting%20pilot%20manufacturing%20at%20the%20company%E2%80%99s%20Cell%20Manufacturing%20Competence%20Center%20(CMCC)%20in%20Parsdorf%2C%20near%20Munich.%20Once%20fully%20operational%2C%20the%20CRCC%20aims%20to%20recycle%20mid-double-digit%20tonnes%20of%20battery%20cell%20material%20annually.%20%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EStrategic%20impact%20on%20circular%20economy%20and%20battery%20production%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20new%20recycling%20hub%20represents%20a%20major%20step%20in%20BMW%E2%80%99s%20circular%20economy%20strategy%20for%20EV%20batteries.%20By%20capturing%20and%20reusing%20production%20residues%20on-site%2C%20the%20company%20minimizes%20waste%20and%20dependence%20on%20newly%20mined%20raw%20materials.%20BMW%20retains%20full%20intellectual%20property%20rights%20for%20the%20direct%20recycling%20technology%2C%20while%20Encory%20%E2%80%94%20a%2050%2F50%20joint%20venture%20with%20the%20Interzero%20Group%20%E2%80%94%20handles%20facility%20construction%20and%20operations.%20%0A%0AMarkus%20Fallb%C3%B6hmer%2C%20Senior%20Vice%20President%20of%20Battery%20Production%20at%20BMW%20AG%2C%20says%20the%20direct%20recycling%20method%20%E2%80%9Cputs%20us%20at%20the%20forefront%20of%20battery%20sustainability%E2%80%9D%20and%20could%20lay%20the%20groundwork%20for%20broader%20adoption%20in%20mass%20production.%20%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EFacility%20details%20and%20regional%20benefits%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20CRCC%20occupies%20an%20existing%20industrial%20building%20covering%20about%202%2C100%20m%C2%B2%20of%20production%20and%20warehouse%20space%2C%20plus%20around%20350%20m%C2%B2%20of%20offices.%20Solar%20panels%20on%20the%20roof%20contribute%20renewable%20energy%20to%20operations.%20Roughly%2020%20people%20will%20work%20at%20the%20center%2C%20and%20most%20construction%20and%20operational%20partners%20are%20based%20within%20100%20km%20of%20the%20site%2C%20supporting%20local%20industry.%20%0A%0ABy%20integrating%20recycling%20directly%20into%20the%20battery%20value%20chain%2C%20BMW%20and%20Encory%20aim%20to%20reduce%20environmental%20impact%2C%20unlock%20material%20efficiencies%2C%20and%20strengthen%20Europe%E2%80%99s%20sustainable%20EV%20manufacturing%20ecosystem.

BMW launches EV battery recycling in Germany

Japan%20has%20unveiled%20an%20ambitious%20strategy%20to%20cut%20clothing%20waste%20by%2025%25%20by%20fiscal%20year%202030%2C%20compared%20with%20levels%20recorded%20a%20decade%20earlier%2C%20as%20part%20of%20a%20broader%20effort%20to%20curb%20the%20environmental%20damage%20caused%20by%20carbon-intensive%20garment%20manufacturing.%0A%0AThe%20initiative%20focuses%20on%20expanding%20clothing%20reuse%20and%20textile%20recycling%2C%20responding%20to%20a%20growing%20global%20crisis%20in%20fashion%20waste.%20The%20fashion%20industry%20is%20estimated%20to%20generate%20approximately%2092%20million%20tons%20of%20textile%20waste%20every%20year%20worldwide%2C%20making%20it%20one%20of%20the%20largest%20contributors%20to%20environmental%20degradation.%0A%0AExcessive%20clothing%20production%20has%20also%20become%20a%20major%20driver%20of%20climate%20change.%20The%20apparel%20sector%20is%20responsible%20for%20around%2010%25%20of%20global%20carbon%20emissions%2C%20largely%20due%20to%20energy-intensive%20manufacturing%2C%20dyeing%2C%20and%20transportation%20processes.%0A%0AUnder%20a%20new%20national%20action%20plan%20scheduled%20for%20completion%20by%20March%2C%20the%20Japanese%20government%20will%20push%20for%20stronger%20collaboration%20between%20local%20governments%2C%20private%20companies%2C%20and%20households%20to%20reduce%20textile%20waste%20and%20encourage%20sustainable%20fashion%20practices.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20data%20from%20Japan%E2%80%99s%20Environment%20Ministry%2C%20an%20estimated%20820%2C000%20tons%20of%20new%20clothing%20entered%20the%20domestic%20market%20in%202024%2C%20with%20the%20majority%20sourced%20from%20overseas%20manufacturers.%20The%20report%20also%20revealed%20that%20clothing%20supplied%20to%20Japan%20consumed%20over%208.38%20billion%20cubic%20meters%20of%20water%20annually%2C%20while%20generating%20approximately%2095%20million%20tons%20of%20carbon%20dioxide%20emissions.%0A%0ADespite%20the%20growth%20of%20resale%20and%20recycling%20markets%2C%20reuse%20remains%20limited.%20In%202024%20alone%2C%20roughly%20560%2C000%20tons%20of%20apparel%20were%20either%20incinerated%20or%20sent%20to%20landfills%2C%20with%20household%20waste%20accounting%20for%20nearly%2090%25%20of%20the%20total.%0A%0ATo%20accelerate%20the%20transition%20toward%20circular%20fashion%2C%20the%20upcoming%20policy%20framework%20will%20introduce%20five%20core%20initiatives%2C%20including%20improved%20systems%20for%20collecting%20used%20clothing%2C%20expanded%20reuse%20channels%2C%20and%20measures%20to%20extend%20the%20lifespan%20of%20garments.%0A%0AThe%20plan%20will%20clearly%20define%20responsibilities%20for%20national%20and%20local%20governments%2C%20businesses%2C%20and%20consumers.%20Municipal%20authorities%20will%20be%20urged%20to%20boost%20clothing%20collection%20programs%20and%20improve%20access%20to%20secondhand%20apparel%20for%20residents%2C%20while%20fashion%20brands%20will%20be%20encouraged%20to%20design%20garments%20that%20are%20easier%20to%20repair%2C%20recycle%2C%20or%20repurpose.%0A%0AConsumers%20will%20also%20play%20a%20key%20role%2C%20with%20households%20encouraged%20to%20recycle%20unwanted%20clothing%20and%20prioritize%20environmentally%20responsible%20fashion%20choices%20when%20purchasing%20new%20items.%0A

Japan targets 25% clothing waste cut by 2030

Scientists%20in%20the%20United%20States%20have%20successfully%20developed%20a%20breakthrough%20method%20for%20producing%20high-purity%20graphite%20from%20coal%20waste%2C%20offering%20a%20cleaner%2C%20faster%2C%20and%20more%20cost-effective%20alternative%20to%20traditional%20manufacturing%20techniques.%20Researchers%20at%20the%20National%20Energy%20Technology%20Laboratory%20(NETL)%20discovered%20a%20low-temperature%20graphite%20synthesis%20process%20that%20significantly%20reduces%20energy%20use%20while%20transforming%20coal-based%20materials%20into%20a%20valuable%20critical%20mineral.%0A%0AThe%20innovative%20approach%20relies%20on%20earth-abundant%20catalyst%20materials%2C%20including%20iron%2C%20to%20create%20highly%20crystalline%20graphite%20with%20minimal%20processing%20intensity.%20What%20sets%20this%20method%20apart%20is%20its%20flexibility%3A%20a%20wide%20range%20of%20carbon-rich%20feedstocks%20can%20be%20used%2C%20such%20as%20coal%20of%20varying%20grades%2C%20coal%20waste%2C%20coal%20char%2C%20biochar%2C%20petroleum%20coke%2C%20and%20even%20plastic%20waste.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20the%20project%E2%80%99s%20lead%20scientist%2C%20the%20ability%20to%20manufacture%20graphite%20at%20lower%20temperatures%20could%20pave%20the%20way%20for%20a%20new%20domestic%20graphite%20supply%20chain.%20This%20advancement%20has%20the%20potential%20to%20strengthen%20U.S.%20manufacturing%20capabilities%20while%20reducing%20dependence%20on%20foreign%20sources%20of%20this%20strategically%20important%20material.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EFaster%2C%20lower-cost%20graphite%20production%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ACompared%20with%20conventional%20graphite%20production%20methods%2C%20the%20NETL%20catalytic%20process%20delivers%20dramatic%20efficiency%20gains.%20Traditional%20techniques%20require%20temperatures%20approaching%203%2C000%C2%B0C%20and%20processing%20times%20that%20can%20stretch%20into%20several%20weeks.%20In%20contrast%2C%20the%20new%20method%20operates%20at%20under%201%2C500%C2%B0C%20and%20completes%20production%20in%20just%20a%20few%20hours%2C%20cutting%20both%20energy%20consumption%20and%20operational%20costs.%0A%0AAnother%20key%20advantage%20is%20catalyst%20sustainability.%20The%20research%20team%20demonstrated%20that%20the%20catalyst%20can%20be%20recovered%2C%20recycled%2C%20and%20reused%20indefinitely%2C%20further%20improving%20the%20economic%20viability%20of%20the%20process.%20Performance%20testing%20also%20showed%20that%20graphite%20produced%20using%20this%20method%20matches%20commercial%20graphite%20when%20used%20in%20applications%20such%20as%20battery%20anodes.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EGraphite%E2%80%99s%20strategic%20importance%20as%20a%20critical%20mineral%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AGraphite%20is%20officially%20classified%20as%20a%20critical%20mineral%20in%20the%20United%20States%20due%20to%20its%20essential%20role%20in%20manufacturing%20and%20the%20vulnerabilities%20associated%20with%20its%20global%20supply%20chain.%20Its%20unique%20physical%20and%20chemical%20properties%20make%20it%20indispensable%20for%20industries%20including%20lithium-ion%20batteries%2C%20steelmaking%2C%20nuclear%20energy%2C%20and%20advanced%20electronics.%0A%0ACurrently%2C%20global%20graphite%20production%20is%20heavily%20concentrated%20overseas.%20About%20one-third%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20supply%20comes%20from%20natural%20graphite%2C%20while%20the%20remaining%20two-thirds%20is%20synthetic%20graphite.%20China%20dominates%20both%20segments%2C%20producing%20roughly%2070%25%20of%20natural%20graphite%20and%2060%25%20of%20synthetic%20graphite%20worldwide.%20The%20U.S.%20has%20not%20mined%20natural%20graphite%20since%201990%2C%20increasing%20the%20urgency%20for%20domestic%20alternatives.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20new%20future%20for%20american%20graphite%20manufacturing%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20low-temperature%20synthesis%20of%20graphite%20from%20coal%20and%20coal%20byproducts%20represents%20a%20major%20opportunity%20for%20the%20United%20States.%20By%20leveraging%20existing%20coal%20resources%20and%20waste%20materials%2C%20this%20technology%20could%20support%20a%20cost-effective%2C%20energy-efficient%2C%20and%20fully%20domestic%20graphite%20manufacturing%20base%2C%20strengthening%20economic%20resilience%20and%20securing%20supply%20for%20critical%20energy%20and%20industrial%20applications.

New U.S. method creates graphite from coal waste

Methane%20is%20a%20colorless%2C%20odorless%20gas%2C%20yet%20it%20plays%20a%20major%20role%20in%20accelerating%20global%20warming.%20It%20is%20released%20from%20many%20sources%2C%20including%20landfills%2C%20livestock%20operations%2C%20coal%20mining%20sites%2C%20agricultural%20fields%2C%20and%20wastewater%20treatment%20facilities.%0A%0AAfter%20entering%20the%20atmosphere%2C%20methane%20traps%20heat%20far%20more%20efficiently%20than%20carbon%20dioxide.%20Because%20of%20this%2C%20even%20small%20increases%20in%20methane%20emissions%20can%20trigger%20rapid%20temperature%20rise%20and%20intensify%20climate%20change%20in%20the%20short%20term.%0A%0AResearchers%20have%20identified%20a%20natural%20solution%20to%20this%20growing%20problem%3A%20methane-consuming%20bacteria.%20These%20microorganisms%20absorb%20methane%20and%20transform%20it%20into%20useful%20compounds%20instead%20of%20allowing%20it%20to%20become%20atmospheric%20pollution.%0A%0AWith%20proper%20environmental%20management%2C%20industrial%20systems%20can%20support%20these%20microbes.%20This%20approach%20reduces%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%20without%20relying%20on%20energy-intensive%20equipment%20or%20harsh%20chemicals.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWhy%20methane%20is%20a%20powerful%20greenhouse%20gas%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AMethane%20has%20a%20much%20stronger%20warming%20effect%20than%20many%20people%20realize.%20Over%20a%20100-year%20period%2C%20it%20traps%20nearly%2028%20times%20more%20heat%20than%20the%20same%20amount%20of%20carbon%20dioxide.%0A%0ALarge%20volumes%20of%20methane%20form%20in%20low-oxygen%20environments%20such%20as%20wetlands%2C%20rice%20paddies%2C%20manure%20storage%20areas%2C%20landfills%2C%20and%20sewage%20systems.%20These%20settings%20provide%20ideal%20conditions%20for%20methane-producing%20organisms.%0A%0AFortunately%2C%20methane-oxidizing%20microbes%20naturally%20live%20in%20many%20of%20these%20places.%20By%20consuming%20methane%20before%20it%20escapes%2C%20they%20act%20as%20a%20biological%20barrier%20against%20climate%20pollution.%0A%0AScientific%20studies%20show%20that%20these%20microorganisms%20already%20eliminate%20a%20significant%20portion%20of%20naturally%20produced%20methane.%20Enhancing%20their%20activity%20could%20become%20a%20powerful%20nature-based%20climate%20solution.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EHow%20methane-eating%20bacteria%20work%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AMethane-consuming%20bacteria%2C%20known%20as%20methanotrophs%2C%20use%20methane%20as%20their%20primary%20energy%20source.%20Specialized%20enzymes%20inside%20their%20cells%20break%20down%20the%20gas%20through%20a%20series%20of%20chemical%20reactions.%0A%0AFirst%2C%20methane%20is%20converted%20into%20methanol.%20It%20is%20then%20transformed%20into%20formaldehyde%2C%20followed%20by%20formate%2C%20and%20finally%20carbon%20dioxide.%20Each%20step%20releases%20energy%20that%20fuels%20cell%20growth.%0A%0ATwo%20main%20enzyme%20systems%20control%20this%20process.%20One%20relies%20on%20copper%20and%20operates%20near%20the%20cell%20membrane.%20The%20other%20uses%20iron%20and%20functions%20within%20the%20cell%20interior.%0A%0AChanges%20in%20copper%20availability%20determine%20which%20system%20remains%20active.%20This%20flexibility%20allows%20methanotrophs%20to%20survive%20in%20diverse%20environments.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EMajor%20types%20of%20methanotrophic%20bacteria%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAerobic%20methanotrophs%20are%20generally%20classified%20into%20three%20groups%3A%20Type%20I%2C%20Type%20II%2C%20and%20Type%20X.%20Each%20group%20processes%20carbon%20differently.%0A%0AType%20I%20bacteria%20grow%20quickly%20and%20efficiently%20convert%20methane%20into%20cellular%20biomass%2C%20making%20them%20useful%20for%20protein%20production.%0A%0AType%20II%20bacteria%20are%20highly%20effective%20at%20storing%20carbon%20and%20are%20often%20used%20in%20biodegradable%20plastic%20manufacturing.%0A%0AType%20X%20bacteria%20tolerate%20harsh%20conditions%20such%20as%20high%20temperatures%20and%20acidic%20environments%2C%20expanding%20their%20industrial%20applications.%0A%0AThis%20diversity%20enables%20researchers%20to%20select%20specific%20strains%20for%20targeted%20purposes%2C%20including%20emission%20reduction%20and%20bio-manufacturing.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EIndustrial%20applications%20for%20methane%20reduction%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AMethanotrophs%20are%20already%20being%20used%20in%20environmental%20engineering%20projects.%20At%20landfills%2C%20soil-based%20bio-covers%20encourage%20microbial%20activity%20that%20captures%20methane%20before%20release.%0A%0ABiofilters%20remove%20methane%20from%20exhaust%20gases%20produced%20by%20biogas%20facilities%20and%20coal%20mines.%20In%20some%20mining%20operations%2C%20water%20sprays%20infused%20with%20methane-oxidizing%20bacteria%20help%20reduce%20explosion%20risks.%0A%0AWastewater%20treatment%20plants%20also%20benefit%20from%20these%20microbes.%20They%20eliminate%20dissolved%20methane%20and%20reduce%20nitrogen%20compounds%2C%20improving%20both%20air%20and%20water%20quality.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EControlling%20other%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AFocusing%20solely%20on%20methane%20reduction%20can%20sometimes%20create%20new%20environmental%20challenges.%20Certain%20microbial%20systems%20may%20increase%20nitrous%20oxide%20emissions%2C%20another%20potent%20greenhouse%20gas.%0A%0ACompetition%20for%20copper%20between%20microbial%20species%20can%20disrupt%20nitrogen%20cycles%20and%20raise%20nitrous%20oxide%20levels.%0A%0ARecent%20research%20has%20identified%20safer%20bacterial%20strains.%20Some%20possess%20enzymes%20that%20convert%20nitrous%20oxide%20into%20harmless%20nitrogen%20gas%2C%20while%20others%20prevent%20its%20formation%20entirely.%0A%0ACareful%20microbial%20selection%20ensures%20that%20climate%20solutions%20reduce%20multiple%20pollutants%20rather%20than%20shifting%20the%20problem%20elsewhere.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EConverting%20methane%20into%20valuable%20products%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ABeyond%20pollution%20control%2C%20methanotrophs%20offer%20economic%20benefits.%20These%20bacteria%20can%20transform%20methane%20into%20methanol%2C%20a%20widely%20used%20fuel%20and%20industrial%20chemical.%0A%0AThey%20also%20produce%20single-cell%20protein%2C%20a%20nutrient-rich%20material%20used%20in%20animal%20feed%20that%20contains%20essential%20amino%20acids.%0A%0AMixed%20microbial%20communities%20often%20perform%20better%20than%20single%20species.%20Partner%20organisms%20consume%20intermediate%20compounds%20and%20prevent%20toxic%20buildup%2C%20keeping%20systems%20stable%20over%20time.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EProducing%20biodegradable%20plastics%20from%20methane%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ASome%20methanotrophs%20store%20carbon%20in%20the%20form%20of%20polyhydroxyalkanoates%2C%20which%20serve%20as%20biodegradable%20plastics.%20These%20materials%20resemble%20conventional%20plastics%20but%20break%20down%20naturally.%0A%0AType%20II%20bacteria%2C%20including%20Methylocystis%20species%2C%20are%20especially%20effective%20under%20nitrogen-limited%20and%20methane-rich%20conditions.%0A%0AWhen%20optimized%2C%20plastic%20content%20can%20exceed%2050%20percent%20of%20total%20cell%20mass.%20Precise%20control%20of%20nutrients%2C%20temperature%2C%20and%20gas%20ratios%20directs%20carbon%20toward%20polymer%20production.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EImproving%20methane%20bioconversion%20systems%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ADifferent%20end%20products%20require%20customized%20operating%20strategies.%20Methanol%20production%20depends%20on%20slowing%20specific%20reactions%20while%20maintaining%20energy%20balance.%0A%0AProtein%20synthesis%20requires%20careful%20regulation%20of%20nitrogen%20and%20methane%20supply.%20Plastic%20production%20performs%20best%20during%20early%20growth%20under%20nutrient%20stress.%0A%0AModern%20tools%20are%20accelerating%20development.%20Raman-based%20cell%20sorting%20identifies%20high-yield%20strains%2C%20while%20synthetic%20biology%20redesigns%20metabolic%20pathways%20for%20higher%20efficiency.%0A%0AThese%20technologies%20allow%20scientists%20to%20engineer%20microbial%20systems%20rather%20than%20relying%20solely%20on%20natural%20selection.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EThe%20future%20of%20methane-based%20biotechnology%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AMethanotrophs%20now%20stand%20at%20the%20intersection%20of%20climate%20mitigation%2C%20waste%20management%2C%20and%20sustainable%20manufacturing.%20Their%20ability%20to%20convert%20pollution%20into%20valuable%20resources%20makes%20them%20central%20to%20future%20green%20technologies.%0A%0ABy%20combining%20genetic%20engineering%2C%20advanced%20bioreactor%20design%2C%20and%20life-cycle%20assessment%2C%20researchers%20can%20transform%20methane%20from%20an%20environmental%20threat%20into%20a%20foundation%20for%20circular%20bioeconomies.%0A%0AAs%20innovation%20continues%2C%20methane-utilizing%20microbes%20may%20become%20a%20key%20driver%20of%20low-carbon%20industries%20and%20climate-friendly%20production%20systems.

Methane-eating bacteria: clean energy solution

Malaysia%20has%20officially%20imposed%20an%20immediate%20and%20comprehensive%20ban%20on%20the%20import%20of%20electronic%20waste%2C%20reinforcing%20its%20commitment%20to%20prevent%20the%20country%20from%20becoming%20a%20global%20dumping%20site%20for%20hazardous%20materials.%0A%0AThe%20Malaysian%20Anti-Corruption%20Commission%20(MACC)%20announced%20on%20Wednesday%2C%20February%204%2C%20that%20all%20forms%20of%20electronic%20waste%E2%80%94commonly%20referred%20to%20as%20e-waste%E2%80%94have%20been%20placed%20under%20the%20%E2%80%9Cabsolute%20prohibition%E2%80%9D%20category.%20This%20new%20classification%20eliminates%20the%20previous%20authority%20of%20the%20Department%20of%20Environment%20to%20issue%20special%20import%20permits%20for%20certain%20types%20of%20electronic%20waste.%0A%0AMACC%20Chief%20Commissioner%20Azam%20Baki%20confirmed%20that%20e-waste%20imports%20are%20now%20completely%20forbidden%2C%20emphasizing%20that%20authorities%20will%20implement%20strict%20and%20coordinated%20enforcement%20measures%20to%20curb%20illegal%20shipments.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ERising%20concerns%20over%20Illegal%20e-waste%20imports%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AIn%20recent%20years%2C%20Malaysia%20has%20faced%20a%20surge%20in%20imported%20electronic%20waste%2C%20much%20of%20which%20is%20believed%20to%20be%20unauthorized%20and%20dangerous.%20Government%20agencies%20have%20intercepted%20hundreds%20of%20shipping%20containers%20filled%20with%20suspected%20illegal%20e-waste%20at%20major%20ports%2C%20ordering%20exporters%20to%20take%20back%20the%20hazardous%20materials.%0A%0AEnvironmental%20experts%20warn%20that%20improper%20handling%20of%20discarded%20electronics%20can%20contaminate%20soil%20and%20water%20systems.%20Items%20such%20as%20smartphones%2C%20computers%2C%20and%20household%20appliances%20often%20contain%20toxic%20elements%20including%20lead%2C%20mercury%2C%20and%20cadmium%2C%20posing%20long-term%20risks%20to%20ecosystems%20and%20human%20health.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ECorruption%20probe%20intensifies%20in%20e-waste%20management%20sector%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20nationwide%20ban%20coincides%20with%20an%20expanding%20corruption%20investigation%20related%20to%20e-waste%20regulation.%20Authorities%20recently%20detained%20senior%20officials%20from%20the%20Department%20of%20Environment%2C%20including%20the%20director-general%20and%20deputy%20director-general%2C%20over%20allegations%20of%20misconduct%20and%20abuse%20of%20authority%20in%20overseeing%20waste%20imports.%0A%0AAs%20part%20of%20the%20investigation%2C%20law%20enforcement%20agencies%20have%20frozen%20bank%20accounts%20and%20confiscated%20cash%20believed%20to%20be%20connected%20to%20illegal%20e-waste%20operations.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EGovernment%20strengthens%20border%20controls%20and%20enforcement%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20Ministry%20of%20Home%20Affairs%20has%20also%20pledged%20to%20enhance%20border%20security%20and%20monitoring%20to%20prevent%20e-waste%20smuggling.%20In%20a%20recent%20social%20media%20statement%2C%20the%20ministry%20reaffirmed%20Malaysia%E2%80%99s%20firm%20stance%20against%20becoming%20a%20destination%20for%20foreign%20waste.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CElectronic%20waste%20is%20not%20merely%20rubbish%E2%80%94it%20represents%20a%20serious%20danger%20to%20environmental%20safety%2C%20public%20health%2C%20and%20national%20security%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20ministry%20stated.%0A%0AWith%20this%20decisive%20move%2C%20Malaysia%20aims%20to%20strengthen%20environmental%20protection%2C%20improve%20regulatory%20transparency%2C%20and%20promote%20sustainable%20waste%20management%20practices%20nationwide.

Malaysia imposes total ban on e-waste imports

Discarded%20coal%20mining%20materials%20could%20soon%20play%20a%20major%20role%20in%20strengthening%20America%E2%80%99s%20supply%20of%20rare%20earth%20elements%2C%20as%20researchers%20work%20to%20reduce%20reliance%20on%20overseas%20sources%20essential%20to%20clean%20energy%2C%20consumer%20electronics%2C%20and%20national%20security.%0A%0AScientists%20at%20the%20South%20Dakota%20School%20of%20Mines%20and%20Technology%20have%20created%20an%20innovative%20technique%20to%20recover%20valuable%20rare%20earth%20minerals%20from%20coal%20mine%20waste%2C%20including%20overburden%20rock%20and%20coal%20ash%20that%20are%20usually%20abandoned%20or%20stored%20for%20decades.%0A%0AAfter%20more%20than%20three%20years%20of%20development%2C%20the%20research%20team%20believes%20their%20process%20could%20transform%20mining%20byproducts%20into%20a%20reliable%20domestic%20resource%20while%20helping%20address%20long-standing%20environmental%20concerns.%0A%0AThe%20project%20is%20led%20by%20Dr.%20Venkataramana%20Gadhamshetty%2C%20professor%20of%20civil%20and%20environmental%20engineering%2C%20and%20Dr.%20Purushotham%20Tukkaraja%2C%20professor%20of%20mining%20engineering%20and%20management.%20Their%20findings%20are%20scheduled%20to%20be%20presented%20to%20government%20officials%20and%20academic%20specialists%20on%20February%2011.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EFederal%20support%20fuels%20innovation%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20research%20initiative%20began%20with%20funding%20from%20the%20National%20Science%20Foundation%20and%20later%20expanded%20through%20the%202DBEST%20Center.%20Additional%20support%20has%20been%20provided%20by%20the%20Office%20of%20Surface%20Mining%20Reclamation%20and%20Enforcement%20and%20the%20U.S.%20Department%20of%20the%20Interior.%0A%0AThe%20team%20concentrated%20its%20efforts%20on%20coal%20mining%20sites%20in%20Wyoming%2C%20analyzing%20discarded%20materials%20to%20extract%20critical%20rare%20earth%20elements%20such%20as%20yttrium%2C%20dysprosium%2C%20erbium%2C%20ytterbium%2C%20and%20gadolinium.%0A%0AThese%20minerals%20are%20essential%20components%20in%20electric%20vehicles%2C%20wind%20turbines%2C%20smartphones%2C%20medical%20imaging%20equipment%2C%20fiber-optic%20networks%2C%20and%20advanced%20defense%20systems.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EAdvanced%20three-stage%20extraction%20method%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ATo%20recover%20rare%20earth%20elements%20efficiently%2C%20the%20researchers%20developed%20a%20three-step%20extraction%20system%20that%20integrates%20mechanical%2C%20chemical%2C%20and%20biological%20processes.%0A%0AIn%20the%20first%20phase%2C%20large%20rock%20fragments%20are%20crushed%20to%20expose%20mineral%20deposits.%20The%20second%20stage%20uses%20environmentally%20responsible%20chemical%20solutions%20to%20dissolve%20rare%20earth%20elements%2C%20allowing%20precise%20separation%20from%20other%20materials.%0A%0AThe%20final%20step%20employs%20specialized%20microorganisms%20that%20absorb%20the%20dissolved%20minerals%20and%20store%20them%20within%20their%20cells%2C%20effectively%20concentrating%20valuable%20elements%20from%20diluted%20sources.%0A%0AResearchers%20compare%20this%20biological%20process%20to%20how%20the%20human%20body%20absorbs%20nutrients.%20By%20adjusting%20environmental%20conditions%2C%20scientists%20can%20enhance%20the%20microbes%E2%80%99%20ability%20to%20capture%20rare%20earth%20elements.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EHigh-value%20materials%20for%20high-tech%20industries%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAmong%20the%20extracted%20minerals%2C%20dysprosium%2C%20erbium%2C%20and%20ytterbium%20are%20especially%20valuable%20due%20to%20limited%20global%20supply%20and%20growing%20industrial%20demand.%20Yttrium%20and%20gadolinium%20also%20play%20vital%20roles%20in%20electronics%20manufacturing%2C%20LED%20lighting%2C%20and%20medical%20technology.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20the%20research%20team%2C%20the%20primary%20objective%20was%20to%20refine%20the%20extraction%20technology%20and%20gain%20a%20deeper%20understanding%20of%20the%20recovery%20process.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EExpanding%20beyond%20solid%20waste%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AIn%20addition%20to%20solid%20mining%20debris%2C%20the%20researchers%20are%20applying%20their%20method%20to%20coal%20mine%20wastewater%2C%20recovering%20rare%20earth%20elements%20from%20polluted%20water%20sources.%0A%0AThis%20approach%20builds%20upon%20traditional%20mineral%20processing%20techniques%20while%20incorporating%20advanced%20chemical%20and%20biological%20methods%20to%20improve%20sustainability%20and%20efficiency.%0A%0AThe%20next%20phase%20of%20development%20focuses%20on%20scaling%20the%20technology%20for%20commercial%20use.%20By%20improving%20cost%20efficiency%20and%20performance%20metrics%2C%20the%20team%20hopes%20to%20attract%20industry%20partners%20interested%20in%20large-scale%20deployment.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ETurning%20environmental%20challenges%20into%20economic%20opportunities%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20project%20demonstrates%20how%20collaboration%20across%20engineering%2C%20environmental%20science%2C%20and%20biotechnology%20can%20unlock%20new%20value%20from%20industrial%20waste.%0A%0ABy%20converting%20coal%20mine%20residues%20into%20strategic%20resources%2C%20the%20researchers%20aim%20to%20strengthen%20domestic%20supply%20chains%2C%20reduce%20environmental%20risks%2C%20and%20support%20emerging%20clean-energy%20industries.%0A%0AThis%20interdisciplinary%20effort%20highlights%20how%20innovative%20research%20can%20transform%20environmental%20liabilities%20into%20long-term%20economic%20and%20national%20security%20assets.

Coal waste could power U.S. rare earth supply

Waste%20enforcement%20teams%20across%20the%20United%20Kingdom%20are%20preparing%20to%20launch%20cutting-edge%20drones%20fitted%20with%20laser%20mapping%20technology%20to%20detect%20illegal%20waste%20sites%20from%20above.%20This%20latest%20government-backed%20initiative%20is%20designed%20to%20strengthen%20environmental%20protection%20efforts%20and%20improve%20the%20detection%20and%20prosecution%20of%20waste%20crime%20offenders.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EDedicated%20drone%20unit%20to%20target%20illegal%20waste%20sites%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20Environment%20Agency%20(EA)%20has%20created%20a%20specialised%20drone%20unit%20made%20up%20of%2033%20highly%20trained%20pilots.%20Their%20primary%20objective%20is%20to%20collect%20aerial%20evidence%20of%20illegal%20dumping%20activities%2C%20enabling%20authorities%20to%20identify%20perpetrators%20and%20support%20successful%20legal%20action%20against%20those%20responsible%20for%20environmental%20violations.%0A%0AThese%20drones%20will%20significantly%20improve%20surveillance%20capabilities%2C%20allowing%20investigators%20to%20monitor%20remote%20areas%20and%20uncover%20hidden%20waste%20sites%20that%20would%20otherwise%20be%20difficult%20to%20locate.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ENew%20digital%20screening%20tool%20to%20identify%20suspicious%20waste%20operators%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAlongside%20the%20drone%20programme%2C%20the%20Environment%20Agency%20has%20introduced%20an%20advanced%20licence%20screening%20system.%20This%20software%20enables%20enforcement%20officers%20to%20compare%20heavy%20goods%20vehicle%20(HGV)%20operator%20licence%20applications%20with%20official%20waste%20permit%20and%20carrier%20licence%20databases.%0A%0ABy%20analysing%20these%20records%2C%20authorities%20can%20detect%20irregularities%20and%20flag%20potentially%20illegal%20operators%20early%2C%20helping%20to%20prevent%20waste%20crime%20before%20it%20escalates.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EExpansion%20of%20waste%20crime%20task%20force%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20Joint%20Unit%20for%20Waste%20Crime%20has%20expanded%20its%20specialist%20team%20from%2013%20to%2020%20members.%20These%20experts%20are%20working%20closely%20with%20police%20and%20enforcement%20partners%20to%20investigate%20and%20disrupt%20organised%20waste%20crime%20networks%2C%20which%20have%20become%20increasingly%20complex%20and%20profitable.%0A%0AThis%20strengthened%20collaboration%20improves%20intelligence%20sharing%20and%20increases%20the%20effectiveness%20of%20enforcement%20operations%20nationwide.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ERising%20illegal%20dumping%20incidents%20spark%20public%20concern%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AWaste%20crime%20remains%20a%20growing%20problem%20throughout%20the%20UK%2C%20with%20several%20high-profile%20illegal%20dumping%20cases%20drawing%20widespread%20public%20outrage.%20Major%20incidents%20include%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20A%20150-metre%20illegal%20waste%20site%20discovered%20near%20the%20River%20Cherwell%20in%20Oxfordshire%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20A%20massive%2030%2C000-tonne%20waste%20pile%20uncovered%20in%20the%20protected%20Hoads%20Wood%20area%20in%20Kent%0A%0AFreedom%20of%20Information%20data%20obtained%20by%20the%20BBC%20revealed%20that%20517%20illegal%20waste%20sites%20were%20still%20active%20at%20the%20end%20of%20last%20year%2C%20including%2011%20large-scale%20%E2%80%9Csuper%20sites.%E2%80%9D%20However%2C%20enforcement%20efforts%20have%20intensified%2C%20with%20the%20Environment%20Agency%20successfully%20shutting%20down%20a%20record%20751%20illegal%20waste%20operations%20during%20the%20same%20period.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ELiDAR%20technology%20enhances%20precision%20waste%20site%20detection%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20agency%20currently%20operates%2054%20drones%2C%20which%20will%20soon%20be%20upgraded%20with%20Light%20Detection%20and%20Ranging%20(LiDAR)%20technology.%20This%20system%20emits%20millions%20of%20laser%20pulses%20per%20second%20to%20create%20highly%20detailed%20three-dimensional%20maps%20of%20the%20terrain.%0A%0ALiDAR%20mapping%20allows%20enforcement%20teams%20to%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Precisely%20locate%20illegal%20waste%20deposits%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Measure%20the%20size%20and%20scope%20of%20dumping%20sites%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Collect%20accurate%20digital%20evidence%20suitable%20for%20court%20proceedings%0A%0AUntil%20now%2C%20drones%20were%20primarily%20used%20for%20flood%20monitoring%2C%20logging%20over%20272%20flight%20hours%20since%20mid-last%20year.%20The%20addition%20of%20LiDAR%20greatly%20expands%20their%20role%20in%20environmental%20enforcement.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EIncreased%20government%20funding%20to%20strengthen%20enforcement%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ATo%20support%20these%20new%20measures%2C%20the%20UK%20Government%20has%20increased%20the%20Environment%20Agency%E2%80%99s%20waste%20crime%20enforcement%20budget%20by%20more%20than%2050%25%2C%20bringing%20total%20funding%20to%20%C2%A315.6%20million%20this%20year.%0A%0AEnvironment%20Secretary%20Emma%20Reynolds%20confirmed%20the%20government%E2%80%99s%20commitment%20to%20tackling%20environmental%20crime%2C%20highlighting%20the%20use%20of%20innovative%20technologies%20such%20as%20drones%2C%20laser%20mapping%2C%20and%20licence-screening%20tools%20to%20detect%20and%20stop%20illegal%20dumping.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ETechnology%20and%20enforcement%20send%20strong%20message%20to%20waste%20criminals%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AOfficials%20say%20the%20combined%20use%20of%20aerial%20surveillance%2C%20advanced%20mapping%20systems%2C%20and%20enhanced%20investigative%20tools%20will%20significantly%20improve%20the%20detection%20and%20prosecution%20of%20waste%20crime.%0A%0ABy%20integrating%20modern%20technology%20with%20expanded%20enforcement%20teams%2C%20authorities%20aim%20to%20protect%20communities%2C%20prevent%20environmental%20damage%2C%20and%20hold%20waste%20criminals%20accountable.

UK deploys LiDAR drones to fight waste crime

Researchers%20have%20developed%20an%20innovative%20method%20to%20transform%20discarded%20smartphone%20batteries%20into%20advanced%20materials%20for%20sustainable%20energy%20storage.%20This%20breakthrough%20approach%20converts%20electronic%20waste%20and%20industrial%20byproducts%20into%20high-efficiency%20components%20for%20sodium-ion%20batteries%2C%20offering%20a%20cleaner%20and%20more%20affordable%20alternative%20to%20conventional%20lithium-ion%20technology.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ETransforming%20electronic%20waste%20into%20valuable%20battery%20materials%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AMillions%20of%20mobile%20phone%20batteries%20are%20thrown%20away%20every%20year%2C%20creating%20a%20growing%20environmental%20challenge.%20%0A%0AThese%20batteries%20contain%20valuable%20metals%20such%20as%20nickel%20and%20cobalt%2C%20but%20improper%20disposal%20can%20release%20harmful%20chemicals%20into%20the%20environment.%20At%20the%20same%20time%2C%20lignin%E2%80%94a%20waste%20product%20generated%20in%20large%20volumes%20by%20the%20paper%20and%20biofuel%20industries%E2%80%94is%20often%20burned%20or%20discarded%20despite%20its%20useful%20chemical%20properties.%20%0A%0AScientists%20have%20found%20a%20way%20to%20combine%20these%20two%20waste%20streams%20to%20create%20a%20powerful%20new%20battery%20material.%20By%20extracting%20metals%20from%20used%20phone%20batteries%20and%20combining%20them%20with%20carbon%20derived%20from%20lignin%2C%20researchers%20produced%20a%20composite%20structure%20capable%20of%20storing%20energy%20efficiently.%20%0A%0AThis%20process%20not%20only%20reduces%20electronic%20waste%20but%20also%20gives%20new%20life%20to%20materials%20that%20would%20otherwise%20pollute%20the%20environment.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EAdvanced%20composite%20material%20improves%20battery%20performance%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ATo%20produce%20the%20new%20material%2C%20researchers%20used%20a%20hydrothermal%20synthesis%20technique%20to%20recover%20nickel%20and%20cobalt%20compounds%20from%20discarded%20mobile%20batteries.%20These%20metals%20were%20then%20integrated%20with%20carbon%20created%20from%20lignin%2C%20forming%20a%20composite%20made%20of%20nickel-cobalt%20sulfides%20coated%20with%20carbon.%20%0A%0AThis%20unique%20structure%20delivers%20several%20important%20benefits%3A%0A%0A%E2%97%8F%20Increased%20electrical%20conductivity%0A%0A%E2%97%8F%20Improved%20structural%20stability%0A%0A%E2%97%8F%20Faster%20ion%20transport%20during%20charging%20and%20discharging%0A%0A%E2%97%8F%20Enhanced%20energy%20storage%20capacity%0A%0ALaboratory%20testing%20showed%20that%20the%20material%20achieved%20an%20initial%20energy%20storage%20capacity%20exceeding%201%2C000%20milliampere-hours%20per%20gram%2C%20demonstrating%20strong%20performance%20compared%20to%20traditional%20battery%20materials.%20%0A%0AThe%20material%20also%20maintained%20stable%20performance%20over%20repeated%20charging%20cycles%20and%20performed%20well%20even%20under%20high%20current%20conditions%2C%20making%20it%20suitable%20for%20demanding%20applications.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWhy%20sodium-ion%20batteries%20are%20the%20future%20of%20sustainable%20energy%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ASodium-ion%20batteries%20are%20gaining%20attention%20as%20a%20promising%20alternative%20to%20lithium-ion%20batteries.%20Unlike%20lithium%2C%20sodium%20is%20abundant%2C%20inexpensive%2C%20and%20widely%20available%2C%20which%20makes%20sodium-based%20energy%20storage%20systems%20more%20sustainable%20and%20cost-effective.%20%0A%0AHowever%2C%20one%20of%20the%20biggest%20challenges%20in%20sodium-ion%20battery%20development%20has%20been%20finding%20suitable%20electrode%20materials%20that%20deliver%20both%20high%20performance%20and%20durability.%20This%20newly%20developed%20composite%20material%20offers%20a%20potential%20solution%20by%20improving%20conductivity%2C%20stability%2C%20and%20energy%20capacity.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EEnvironmental%20and%20economic%20benefits%20of%20battery%20recycling%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThis%20new%20recycling%20approach%20supports%20the%20transition%20toward%20a%20circular%20economy%2C%20where%20waste%20materials%20are%20reused%20instead%20of%20discarded.%20By%20converting%20electronic%20waste%20and%20industrial%20byproducts%20into%20valuable%20energy%20storage%20components%2C%20the%20process%20helps%3A%0A%0A%E2%97%8F%20Reduce%20landfill%20waste%20and%20environmental%20pollution%0A%0A%E2%97%8F%20Lower%20battery%20manufacturing%20costs%0A%0A%E2%97%8F%20Conserve%20natural%20resources%0A%0A%E2%97%8F%20Improve%20sustainability%20in%20battery%20production%0A%0AResearchers%20believe%20this%20strategy%20could%20make%20sodium-ion%20batteries%20more%20commercially%20viable%20and%20accelerate%20their%20adoption%20in%20various%20industries.%20%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EPotential%20applications%20in%20energy%20storage%20and%20electric%20vehicles%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20new%20battery%20material%20has%20promising%20applications%20across%20multiple%20sectors%2C%20including%3A%0A%0A%E2%97%8F%20Renewable%20energy%20storage%20systems%0A%0A%E2%97%8F%20Electric%20vehicles%0A%0A%E2%97%8F%20Portable%20electronics%0A%0A%E2%97%8F%20Power%20grid%20infrastructure%0A%0AAs%20demand%20for%20affordable%20and%20eco-friendly%20energy%20solutions%20continues%20to%20grow%2C%20recycling-based%20battery%20materials%20could%20play%20a%20critical%20role%20in%20shaping%20the%20future%20of%20clean%20energy%20technology.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20major%20step%20toward%20sustainable%20battery%20innovation%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThis%20breakthrough%20demonstrates%20that%20waste%20materials%20can%20be%20transformed%20into%20high-value%20components%20for%20next-generation%20energy%20storage.%20Instead%20of%20viewing%20old%20phone%20batteries%20and%20industrial%20waste%20as%20environmental%20problems%2C%20researchers%20are%20turning%20them%20into%20part%20of%20the%20solution.%0A%0ABy%20combining%20recycling%2C%20advanced%20chemistry%2C%20and%20sustainable%20engineering%2C%20scientists%20are%20helping%20create%20safer%2C%20cheaper%2C%20and%20more%20environmentally%20friendly%20batteries%20for%20the%20future.

Recycled phone batteries power future energy

In%20environmental%20chemistry%2C%20certain%20pollutants%20are%20so%20stubborn%20they%20earn%20the%20label%20%E2%80%9Cforever%20chemicals.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AAmong%20the%20most%20infamous%20are%20perfluoroalkyl%20and%20polyfluoroalkyl%20substances%20(PFAS).%20These%20synthetic%20compounds%20accumulate%20in%20soil%2C%20infiltrate%20groundwater%2C%20contaminate%20drinking%20supplies%2C%20and%20resist%20natural%20degradation%20for%20decades.%20Their%20persistence%20has%20made%20PFAS%20a%20global%20environmental%20and%20public%20health%20concern.%0A%0ANow%2C%20researchers%20at%20Rice%20University%2C%20led%20by%20chemist%20James%20Tour%20and%20scientist%20Yi%20Cheng%2C%20have%20developed%20an%20innovative%20solution%20that%20transforms%20PFAS%20waste%20into%20a%20valuable%20resource.%20Their%20breakthrough%20method%20converts%20toxic%20PFAS%20residues%20into%20a%20tool%20for%20sustainable%20lithium%20extraction%20%E2%80%94%20a%20critical%20component%20of%20the%20clean%20energy%20transition.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ETurning%20PFAS%20waste%20into%20lithium%20resources%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20team%E2%80%99s%20newly%20published%20research%20outlines%20a%20waste-to-value%20process%20that%20uses%20PFAS-contaminated%20materials%20to%20recover%20lithium%20from%20high-salinity%20brine.%20Instead%20of%20viewing%20PFAS%20as%20an%20environmental%20liability%2C%20the%20scientists%20reimagined%20them%20as%20a%20fluorine%20source%20capable%20of%20supporting%20lithium%20recovery.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWhile%20lithium%20extraction%20from%20brine%20is%20often%20less%20environmentally%20harmful%20than%20traditional%20mining%2C%20challenges%20remain%20in%20selectivity%2C%20cost%20efficiency%2C%20and%20water%20consumption%2C%E2%80%9D%20Cheng%20explained.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20recognized%20an%20opportunity%20to%20unlock%20the%20fluorine%20stored%20in%20PFAS%20and%20use%20it%20to%20recover%20lithium%20through%20a%20faster%2C%20lower-impact%20process.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThis%20approach%20addresses%20two%20pressing%20issues%20at%20once%3A%20eliminating%20hazardous%20PFAS%20waste%20and%20improving%20sustainable%20lithium%20production%20for%20battery%20manufacturing.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EHow%20the%20lithium%20extraction%20process%20works%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20process%20begins%20with%20spent%20activated%20carbon%20%E2%80%94%20a%20filtration%20material%20commonly%20used%20to%20remove%20PFAS%20from%20firefighting%20foam%20and%20contaminated%20water.%20Once%20saturated%2C%20this%20carbon%20is%20typically%20classified%20as%20hazardous%20waste.%0A%0ARather%20than%20disposing%20of%20it%2C%20the%20Rice%20researchers%20identified%20it%20as%20a%20valuable%20fluorine%20reservoir.%0A%0AWhen%20PFAS-laden%20activated%20carbon%20is%20combined%20with%20high-salinity%20brine%2C%20a%20controlled%20reaction%20environment%20forms.%20Within%20this%20mixture%2C%20fluorine%20anions%20trapped%20inside%20PFAS%20molecules%20are%20released%20and%20bind%20with%20lithium%20cations%20present%20in%20the%20brine.%20The%20result%20is%20lithium%20fluoride%20%E2%80%94%20a%20key%20compound%20used%20in%20lithium-ion%20battery%20electrolytes.%0A%0ACheng%20described%20the%20chemistry%20behind%20the%20process%3A%20lithium%20exists%20in%20brine%20as%20a%20positively%20charged%20ion%2C%20while%20fluorine%20remains%20locked%20within%20the%20negatively%20charged%20PFAS%20molecules%20embedded%20in%20the%20carbon.%20The%20goal%20was%20to%20liberate%20both%20ions%20and%20recombine%20them%20into%20lithium%20fluoride%20(LiF)%2C%20which%20can%20then%20be%20collected%20and%20purified.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EFlash%20Joule%20Heating%3A%20breaking%20the%20strongest%20bonds%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ATo%20release%20fluorine%20from%20PFAS%2C%20the%20team%20used%20Flash%20Joule%20Heating%20(FJH)%20%E2%80%94%20a%20rapid%2C%20high-energy%20pulse%20technique%20that%20instantly%20raises%20temperatures%20above%201%2C000%C2%B0C%20(1%2C832%C2%B0F)%20within%20milliseconds.%0A%0AThese%20extreme%20conditions%20break%20the%20exceptionally%20strong%20carbon%E2%80%93fluorine%20bonds%20that%20make%20PFAS%20so%20environmentally%20persistent.%20Once%20freed%2C%20fluorine%20atoms%20quickly%20bond%20with%20lithium%20ions%20in%20the%20brine%2C%20forming%20lithium%20fluoride.%0A%0AThis%20step%20effectively%20destroys%20the%20%E2%80%9Cforever%20chemicals%E2%80%9D%20while%20simultaneously%20creating%20a%20valuable%20lithium%20compound.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EHigh-purity%20lithium%20recovery%20through%20rapid%20distillation%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AExtracting%20lithium%20from%20brine%20presents%20another%20challenge%3A%20the%20solution%20also%20contains%20competing%20elements%20such%20as%20magnesium%2C%20calcium%2C%20and%20potassium.%0A%0ATo%20isolate%20lithium%20fluoride%2C%20the%20researchers%20applied%20a%20second%20controlled%20heating%20stage%20between%201%2C676%C2%B0C%20(3%2C048%C2%B0F)%20and%202%2C260%C2%B0C%20(4%2C100%C2%B0F).%20At%20this%20temperature%20window%2C%20lithium%20fluoride%20vaporizes%20while%20heavier%20impurities%20remain%20solid.%0A%0AThis%20rapid%20flash%20distillation%20process%20produced%20lithium%20fluoride%20with%2099%25%20purity%20and%20achieved%20an%2082%25%20recovery%20rate%20%E2%80%94%20all%20within%20seconds.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EReal-world%20battery%20performance%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ATo%20validate%20the%20quality%20of%20the%20recovered%20material%2C%20the%20team%20incorporated%20the%20recycled%20lithium%20fluoride%20into%20standard%20lithium-ion%20battery%20electrolytes.%0A%0AExtensive%20testing%20demonstrated%20that%20batteries%20using%20the%20recovered%20lithium%20exhibited%20enhanced%20stability%20and%20performance%20compared%20with%20conventional%20lithium%20sources.%20This%20confirms%20that%20PFAS-derived%20lithium%20can%20meet%20battery-grade%20standards%20for%20advanced%20energy%20storage%20systems.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20sustainable%20alternative%20to%20conventional%20lithium%20mining%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ATraditional%20lithium%20extraction%20from%20brine%20often%20relies%20on%20vast%20evaporation%20ponds%20that%20sit%20under%20the%20sun%20for%20months.%20These%20operations%20consume%20enormous%20volumes%20of%20water%20%E2%80%94%20frequently%20in%20arid%20regions%20already%20facing%20water%20scarcity%20%E2%80%94%20and%20can%20significantly%20disrupt%20local%20ecosystems.%0A%0AIn%20contrast%2C%20the%20Rice%20University%20process%20completes%20lithium%20recovery%20in%20minutes%20rather%20than%20months.%20It%20also%20reduces%20water%20usage%20and%20energy%20consumption%20compared%20with%20conventional%20brine%20mining%20methods.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20double%20environmental%20breakthrough%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThis%20innovative%20technology%20delivers%20a%20dual%20environmental%20benefit%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20It%20permanently%20destroys%20hazardous%20PFAS%20%E2%80%9Cforever%20chemicals.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20It%20generates%20high-purity%2C%20battery-grade%20lithium%20for%20clean%20energy%20applications.%0A%0ABy%20converting%20one%20waste%20stream%20into%20a%20solution%20for%20another%20resource%20challenge%2C%20this%20method%20represents%20a%20major%20advancement%20in%20sustainable%20chemistry%2C%20lithium%20extraction%20technology%2C%20and%20environmental%20remediation.

PFAS waste turned into battery-grade lithium

Scientists%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Edinburgh%20have%20genetically%20modified%20E.%20coli%20bacteria%20to%20convert%20polyethylene%20terephthalate%20(PET)%E2%80%94a%20common%20plastic%20used%20in%20food%20and%20beverage%20packaging%E2%80%94into%20L-DOPA%20(levodopa)%2C%20the%20gold-standard%20medication%20for%20managing%20Parkinson%E2%80%99s%20symptoms.%0A%0AEach%20year%2C%20approximately%2050%20million%20tonnes%20of%20PET%20plastic%20are%20produced%20globally%2C%20contributing%20significantly%20to%20environmental%20pollution.%20The%20new%20process%20begins%20by%20breaking%20down%20PET%20waste%20into%20its%20core%20chemical%20component%2C%20terephthalic%20acid.%20Through%20a%20series%20of%20carefully%20engineered%20biological%20reactions%2C%20the%20modified%20bacteria%20transform%20this%20compound%20into%20pharmaceutical-grade%20L-DOPA.%0A%0AThis%20innovative%20biomanufacturing%20approach%20replaces%20fossil%20fuel%E2%80%93dependent%20chemical%20synthesis%20with%20a%20renewable%2C%20biology-based%20production%20system%2C%20making%20it%20a%20more%20environmentally%20sustainable%20method%20for%20drug%20manufacturing.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ESustainable%20pharmaceutical%20production%20from%20plastic%20waste%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ATraditional%20pharmaceutical%20manufacturing%20often%20relies%20on%20non-renewable%20resources%20such%20as%20oil%20and%20gas.%20In%20contrast%2C%20this%20new%20bio-upcycling%20technology%20uses%20waste%20plastic%20as%20a%20carbon%20source%2C%20reducing%20reliance%20on%20finite%20materials%20while%20lowering%20environmental%20impact.%0A%0ARecycling%20PET%20remains%20a%20global%20challenge.%20Although%20mechanical%20recycling%20exists%2C%20it%20is%20inefficient%20and%20does%20not%20eliminate%20plastic%20pollution.%20The%20Edinburgh%20team%E2%80%99s%20solution%20not%20only%20diverts%20plastic%20from%20landfills%20and%20incinerators%20but%20also%20upgrades%20it%20into%20a%20high-value%20medical%20product.%0A%0ABeyond%20Parkinson%E2%80%99s%20treatment%2C%20this%20breakthrough%20could%20fuel%20the%20growth%20of%20a%20bio-upcycling%20industry%20capable%20of%20producing%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Pharmaceuticals%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Flavorings%20and%20fragrances%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Cosmetic%20ingredients%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Specialty%20and%20industrial%20chemicals%0A%0ABy%20transforming%20waste%20into%20valuable%20commodities%2C%20the%20technology%20supports%20a%20circular%20economy%20and%20advances%20green%20manufacturing.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EScaling%20up%20the%20technology%20for%20industrial%20use%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAfter%20successfully%20producing%20and%20isolating%20L-DOPA%20at%20preparative%20scale%2C%20researchers%20are%20now%20focusing%20on%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Enhancing%20process%20efficiency%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Improving%20scalability%20for%20industrial%20production%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Evaluating%20environmental%20performance%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Assessing%20economic%20viability%0A%0AThe%20findings%20were%20published%20in%20Nature%20Sustainability%2C%20underscoring%20the%20global%20significance%20of%20the%20research.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EThe%20carbon-loop%20sustainable%20biomanufacturing%20hub%20(C-Loop)%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20project%20was%20developed%20within%20the%20%C2%A314%20million%20Carbon-Loop%20Sustainable%20Biomanufacturing%20Hub%20(C-Loop)%2C%20a%20cutting-edge%20initiative%20designed%20to%20convert%20industrial%20waste%20into%20sustainable%20chemicals%20and%20materials.%20The%20hub%20is%20funded%20by%20the%20Engineering%20and%20Physical%20Sciences%20Research%20Council%20(EPSRC)%2C%20part%20of%20UK%20Research%20and%20Innovation%20(UKRI).%0A%0ACommercialization%20support%20is%20provided%20by%20Edinburgh%20Innovations%2C%20which%20works%20to%20bring%20university%20research%20into%20industry%20applications.%0A%0ALeaders%20involved%20in%20the%20project%20emphasize%20that%20this%20technology%20could%20spark%20a%20green%20revolution%20in%20UK%20manufacturing%2C%20helping%20industries%20reduce%20carbon%20footprints%20while%20producing%20high-value%20products.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EEngineering%20biology%3A%20redesigning%20waste%20into%20wellness%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20study%20highlights%20the%20growing%20impact%20of%20engineering%20biology%20in%20solving%20environmental%20and%20healthcare%20challenges%20simultaneously.%20By%20demonstrating%20that%20plastic%20pollution%20can%20be%20converted%20into%20a%20life-changing%20medication%20for%20Parkinson%E2%80%99s%20disease%2C%20the%20research%20reshapes%20how%20society%20views%20waste.%0A%0ARather%20than%20being%20a%20purely%20environmental%20burden%2C%20plastic%20represents%20a%20vast%20and%20underutilized%20carbon%20resource.%20Through%20advanced%20microbial%20engineering%2C%20that%20carbon%20can%20now%20be%20redirected%20into%20sustainable%20pharmaceutical%20production.%0A%0AAs%20the%20technology%20advances%20toward%20commercialization%2C%20it%20could%20redefine%20how%20medicines%20are%20made%E2%80%94turning%20everyday%20plastic%20bottles%20into%20critical%20treatments%20that%20improve%20human%20health%20while%20protecting%20the%20planet.

Plastic bottles turned into Parkinson’s drug

New%20household%20waste%20and%20recycling%20regulations%20have%20officially%20been%20rolled%20out%20across%20England%2C%20representing%20a%20major%20step%20toward%20creating%20a%20consistent%20national%20collection%20system.%0A%0AFrom%20this%20week%2C%20most%20households%20will%20be%20expected%20to%20sort%20their%20waste%20into%20up%20to%20four%20separate%20bins.%20These%20typically%20include%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Food%20and%20garden%20waste%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Paper%20and%20cardboard%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Dry%20recyclables%20such%20as%20plastic%2C%20glass%2C%20and%20metal%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20General%20non-recyclable%20waste%0A%0AHowever%2C%20some%20flexibility%20remains%20at%20the%20local%20level.%20In%20certain%20areas%2C%20paper%20and%20card%20may%20be%20combined%20with%20other%20recyclable%20materials%2C%20meaning%20residents%20could%20use%20just%20three%20bins%20instead%20of%20four.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EEnding%20inconsistent%20recycling%20systems%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20updated%20system%20aims%20to%20eliminate%20the%20previously%20inconsistent%20approaches%20used%20by%20different%20councils%2C%20which%20often%20led%20to%20confusion%20among%20residents.%20By%20introducing%20clearer%2C%20more%20unified%20guidelines%2C%20the%20government%20hopes%20to%20simplify%20recycling%20practices%20across%20the%20country.%0A%0AOfficials%20have%20emphasized%20that%20allowing%20some%20local%20variation%20ensures%20councils%20can%20still%20tailor%20services%20to%20meet%20the%20specific%20needs%20of%20their%20communities.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EBoosting%20recycling%20and%20reducing%20environmental%20impact%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAccording%20to%20the%20government%2C%20the%20new%20rules%20are%20designed%20to%20improve%20the%20efficiency%20of%20waste%20sorting%20and%20collection.%20This%20will%20help%20increase%20the%20amount%20of%20high-quality%20recyclable%20material%20processed%20within%20the%20UK%2C%20supporting%20manufacturers%20in%20producing%20new%20goods%20from%20recycled%20resources.%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20The%20reforms%20are%20also%20expected%20to%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Reduce%20carbon%20emissions%20linked%20to%20waste%20disposal%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Decrease%20the%20amount%20of%20rubbish%20sent%20for%20incineration%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Strengthen%20the%20UK%20recycling%20and%20reprocessing%20sector%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Minimize%20environmental%20and%20social%20impacts%20associated%20with%20waste%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ESupporting%20a%20circular%20economy%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThese%20changes%20form%20part%20of%20a%20broader%20strategy%20to%20promote%20a%20circular%20economy%20in%20the%20UK.%20The%20goal%20is%20to%20keep%20materials%20in%20use%20for%20longer%2C%20reduce%20waste%2C%20and%20drive%20sustainable%20economic%20growth%20through%20investment%20in%20green%20infrastructure%20and%20job%20creation.%0A%0ACircular%20economy%20minister%20Mary%20Creagh%20highlighted%20the%20benefits%20of%20the%20reforms%2C%20stating%20that%20standardizing%20bin%20collections%20will%20make%20recycling%20easier%20for%20households%20while%20improving%20local%20environments%20and%20community%20pride.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EAdditional%20measures%20and%20future%20plans%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAlongside%20the%20new%20recycling%20framework%2C%20the%20government%20has%20introduced%20an%20extended%20producer%20responsibility%20scheme.%20Under%20this%20policy%2C%20companies%20that%20produce%20packaging%20are%20required%20to%20cover%20the%20costs%20of%20recycling%20and%20waste%20management.%0A%0APlans%20are%20also%20in%20place%20to%20introduce%20a%20nationwide%20deposit%20return%20scheme%20by%202027.%20This%20will%20allow%20consumers%20to%20pay%20a%20small%20deposit%20on%20drinks%20containers%2C%20which%20can%20be%20refunded%20when%20the%20empty%20bottles%20or%20cans%20are%20returned.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EFunding%20and%20local%20support%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ATo%20help%20councils%20implement%20these%20changes%2C%20the%20government%20has%20allocated%20substantial%20funding.%20Local%20authorities%20will%20receive%20financial%20support%20to%20expand%20services%2C%20including%20weekly%20food%20waste%20collections.%0A%0AAdditional%20funding%20has%20also%20been%20set%20aside%20to%20assist%20councils%20in%20preparing%20for%20the%20transition%2C%20along%20with%20flexible%20timelines%20for%20areas%20facing%20specific%20logistical%20challenges.

New UK waste disposal rules: 4-bin system

China%20is%20accelerating%20the%20development%20of%20its%20lithium%20battery%20recycling%20sector%20through%20a%20comprehensive%20new%20policy%20focused%20on%20scaling%20infrastructure%2C%20strengthening%20industry%20consolidation%2C%20and%20enhancing%20digital%20monitoring.%20The%20initiative%20aims%20to%20modernize%20recycling%20operations%20while%20aligning%20with%20broader%20regulatory%20trends%20in%20the%20electric%20vehicle%20(EV)%20battery%20ecosystem.%0A%0AAt%20the%20core%20of%20the%20policy%20is%20the%20expansion%20of%20nationwide%20battery%20collection%20networks%20and%20the%20promotion%20of%20leading%20recycling%20enterprises.%20Authorities%20are%20encouraging%20collaboration%20between%20electric%20bicycle%20manufacturers%2C%20lithium%20battery%20producers%2C%20and%20recycling%20companies%20to%20build%20efficient%20collection%20and%20interim%20storage%20systems%20across%20the%20country.%0A%0AA%20major%20emphasis%20is%20placed%20on%20integrating%20manufacturers%20with%20recyclers%20to%20create%20a%20more%20coordinated%20recycling%20chain.%20This%20approach%20is%20designed%20to%20improve%20efficiency%2C%20reduce%20waste%2C%20and%20ensure%20that%20end-of-life%20batteries%20are%20properly%20managed%20within%20a%20structured%20system.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EChina%20strengthens%20battery%20recycling%20oversight%20with%20digital%20traceability%20systems%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AChina%20is%20also%20introducing%20advanced%20digital%20tracking%20solutions%20to%20improve%20transparency%20and%20control%20throughout%20the%20battery%20recycling%20process.%20These%20systems%20will%20monitor%20key%20data%20points%20such%20as%20battery%20origin%2C%20volume%2C%20movement%2C%20and%20final%20processing%20destination.%0A%0AA%20nationwide%20traceability%20platform%20for%20power%20batteries%20has%20already%20been%20launched%2C%20marking%20a%20significant%20step%20toward%20full%20lifecycle%20management%20of%20EV%20batteries.%20Under%20this%20system%2C%20manufacturers%2C%20users%2C%20and%20recycling%20firms%20must%20upload%20data%20covering%20production%2C%20usage%20performance%2C%20and%20disposal%20stages.%0A%0AEach%20battery%20is%20assigned%20a%20unique%20digital%20identifier%2C%20enabling%20regulators%20to%20track%20it%20across%20its%20entire%20lifecycle.%20This%20centralized%20data%20system%20enhances%20compliance%2C%20improves%20recycling%20efficiency%2C%20and%20supports%20more%20effective%20resource%20recovery.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EClosed-loop%20battery%20recycling%20model%20gains%20momentum%20in%20China%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AChina%E2%80%99s%20evolving%20framework%20is%20shaping%20a%20closed-loop%20battery%20management%20system%20that%20connects%20battery%20manufacturers%2C%20EV%20producers%2C%20maintenance%20providers%2C%20and%20recycling%20companies.%20This%20integrated%20approach%20ensures%20that%20batteries%20are%20tracked%2C%20collected%2C%20and%20processed%20within%20a%20unified%20ecosystem.%0A%0AThe%20new%20recycling%20policy%20complements%20the%20digital%20infrastructure%20by%20expanding%20physical%20collection%20points%20and%20standardizing%20recycling%20procedures%20nationwide.%20Local%20governments%20are%20being%20directed%20to%20implement%20consistent%20technical%20standards%20and%20develop%20scalable%20recycling%20models%20tailored%20to%20regional%20needs.%0A%0AMeanwhile%2C%20central%20authorities%20will%20oversee%20progress%20through%20regular%20monitoring%2C%20reinforcing%20a%20coordinated%20and%20top-down%20governance%20model%20that%20reflects%20China%E2%80%99s%20broader%20EV%20industry%20strategy.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ENew%20regulations%20to%20tighten%20EV%20battery%20end-of-life%20management%20by%202026%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ALooking%20ahead%2C%20China%20plans%20to%20introduce%20stricter%20regulations%20by%202026%20that%20will%20place%20greater%20responsibility%20on%20automakers%20and%20battery%20manufacturers%20for%20managing%20retired%20batteries.%20Companies%20will%20be%20required%20to%20establish%20dedicated%20recycling%20service%20networks%20and%20ensure%20proper%20handling%20of%20end-of-life%20units.%0A%0AThese%20measures%20aim%20to%20expand%20formal%20recycling%20channels%2C%20improve%20oversight%20of%20battery%20transportation%20and%20processing%2C%20and%20address%20the%20growing%20volume%20of%20retired%20EV%20batteries.%20As%20demand%20for%20electric%20vehicles%20continues%20to%20rise%2C%20efficient%20and%20regulated%20battery%20recycling%20is%20becoming%20a%20critical%20priority%20for%20China%E2%80%99s%20sustainable%20energy%20transition.%0A

China strengthens EV battery recycling rules 

Scientists%20have%20unveiled%20an%20innovative%20solar-powered%20reactor%20capable%20of%20transforming%20difficult-to-recycle%20plastic%20waste%20into%20clean%20hydrogen%20fuel%20and%20high-value%20industrial%20chemicals.%20This%20breakthrough%20technology%20uses%20acid%20recovered%20from%20used%20car%20batteries%20to%20break%20down%20materials%20such%20as%20plastic%20bottles%2C%20nylon%20fabrics%2C%20and%20polyurethane%20foams%E2%80%94offering%20a%20sustainable%20solution%20to%20two%20major%20waste%20streams%20at%20once.%0A%0ADeveloped%20by%20researchers%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Cambridge%2C%20the%20system%20harnesses%20sunlight%20as%20its%20primary%20energy%20source%2C%20making%20it%20a%20cost-effective%20and%20environmentally%20friendly%20alternative%20to%20traditional%20chemical%20recycling%20methods.%20The%20findings%2C%20published%20in%20the%20journal%20Joule%2C%20highlight%20the%20potential%20for%20a%20circular%20economy%20where%20waste%20materials%20are%20repurposed%20into%20valuable%20resources.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ETurning%20plastic%20waste%20into%20clean%20energy%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AWith%20global%20plastic%20production%20exceeding%20400%20million%20tonnes%20annually%2C%20only%20about%2018%25%20is%20currently%20recycled.%20The%20majority%20ends%20up%20in%20landfills%2C%20incinerators%2C%20or%20natural%20ecosystems.%20This%20new%20approach%E2%80%94called%20solar-powered%20acid%20photoreforming%E2%80%94aims%20to%20tackle%20this%20growing%20environmental%20crisis%20by%20converting%20plastic%20waste%20into%20usable%20energy.%0A%0AAt%20the%20core%20of%20the%20system%20is%20a%20specially%20engineered%20photocatalyst%20that%20can%20withstand%20highly%20acidic%20conditions.%20Unlike%20conventional%20catalysts%2C%20this%20material%20remains%20stable%20even%20when%20exposed%20to%20corrosive%20acid%20from%20discarded%20car%20batteries%E2%80%94an%20often%20overlooked%20waste%20product%20that%20is%20typically%20neutralized%20and%20thrown%20away.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20breakthrough%20in%20sustainable%20chemistry%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAccording%20to%20lead%20researcher%20Erwin%20Reisner%2C%20the%20discovery%20was%20unexpected.%20The%20team%20initially%20believed%20that%20acidic%20environments%20would%20destroy%20the%20system%2C%20but%20their%20newly%20developed%20catalyst%20proved%20resilient%2C%20unlocking%20entirely%20new%20chemical%20possibilities.%0A%0ALead%20author%20Kay%20Kwarteng%20explained%20that%20while%20acids%20have%20long%20been%20used%20to%20degrade%20plastics%2C%20the%20lack%20of%20durable%20and%20affordable%20photocatalysts%20had%20limited%20their%20practical%20application%E2%80%94until%20now.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EHow%20the%20process%20works%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20method%20involves%20two%20key%20steps%3A%0A%0A1.%20Plastic%20Breakdown%3A%20Waste%20plastics%20are%20treated%20with%20sulfuric%20acid%20from%20old%20batteries%2C%20breaking%20them%20into%20smaller%20chemical%20components%20like%20ethylene%20glycol.%0A%0A2.%20Solar%20Conversion%3A%20Under%20sunlight%2C%20the%20photocatalyst%20converts%20these%20components%20into%20hydrogen%20fuel%20and%20acetic%20acid%E2%80%94a%20valuable%20chemical%20widely%20used%20in%20industry.%0A%0ALaboratory%20testing%20showed%20impressive%20results%2C%20including%20high%20hydrogen%20output%2C%20excellent%20selectivity%20for%20acetic%20acid%20production%2C%20and%20stable%20performance%20for%20over%20260%20hours%20without%20degradation.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ETackling%20hard-to-recycle%20plastics%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20most%20significant%20advantages%20of%20this%20technology%20is%20its%20ability%20to%20process%20mixed%20and%20complex%20plastics%2C%20including%20materials%20like%20nylon%20and%20polyurethane%20that%20are%20typically%20difficult%20or%20impossible%20to%20recycle%20using%20conventional%20methods.%20This%20makes%20it%20a%20powerful%20complement%20to%20existing%20recycling%20systems.%0A%0AAdditionally%2C%20the%20process%20effectively%20reuses%20battery%20acid%2C%20which%20usually%20becomes%20hazardous%20waste%20after%20neutralization.%20By%20repurposing%20this%20acid%2C%20the%20system%20reduces%20environmental%20impact%20while%20improving%20efficiency.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ECost-effective%20and%20scalable%20potential%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AResearchers%20estimate%20that%20this%20method%20could%20reduce%20costs%20by%20an%20order%20of%20magnitude%20compared%20to%20existing%20photoreforming%20technologies.%20The%20reuse%20of%20acid%20and%20increased%20hydrogen%20production%20rates%20contribute%20to%20its%20economic%20viability.%0A%0AWhile%20challenges%20remain%E2%80%94particularly%20in%20designing%20reactors%20that%20can%20withstand%20long-term%20exposure%20to%20corrosive%20conditions%E2%80%94the%20underlying%20chemistry%20has%20proven%20robust.%20Industrial%20handling%20of%20strong%20acids%20is%20already%20well%20established%2C%20suggesting%20that%20scaling%20up%20is%20achievable%20with%20further%20engineering%20advancements.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20step%20toward%20circular%20economy%20innovation%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAlthough%20this%20technology%20is%20not%20a%20complete%20solution%20to%20the%20global%20plastic%20crisis%2C%20it%20represents%20a%20significant%20step%20forward.%20By%20converting%20waste%20into%20valuable%20products%20using%20renewable%20energy%2C%20it%20supports%20the%20transition%20toward%20a%20circular%20and%20sustainable%20economy.%0A%0AThe%20research%20team%20is%20now%20working%20toward%20commercialization%20with%20support%20from%20Cambridge%20Enterprise%20and%20UK%20research%20funding%20bodies%2C%20aiming%20to%20bring%20this%20promising%20green%20technology%20closer%20to%20real-world%20application.

Solar reactor converts plastic into hydrogen fuel

Researchers%20in%20South%20Korea%20have%20unveiled%20an%20innovative%20technology%20that%20turns%20air%20pollution%20into%20electricity%2C%20introducing%20a%20groundbreaking%20%E2%80%9Cgas%20battery%E2%80%9D%20capable%20of%20converting%20greenhouse%20gases%20into%20usable%20power.%0A%0AThe%20system%2C%20known%20as%20the%20Gas%20Capture%20and%20Electricity%20Generator%20(GCEG)%2C%20was%20developed%20by%20scientists%20at%20Sungkyunkwan%20University%20in%20Seoul.%20This%20next-generation%20energy%20solution%20offers%20a%20major%20advancement%20over%20traditional%20carbon%20capture%2C%20utilization%2C%20and%20storage%20(CCUS)%20technologies%2C%20which%20typically%20consume%20large%20amounts%20of%20external%20energy%20to%20trap%20and%20process%20emissions.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EBreakthrough%20gas%20battery%20converts%20emissions%20into%20energy%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AUnlike%20conventional%20systems%2C%20the%20GCEG%20device%20harnesses%20the%20energy%20released%20during%20gas%20adsorption%E2%80%94the%20process%20where%20gases%20bind%20to%20a%20surface%E2%80%94and%20directly%20converts%20it%20into%20electrical%20power.%20This%20eliminates%20the%20need%20for%20additional%20energy%20input%2C%20making%20the%20technology%20far%20more%20efficient%20and%20sustainable.%0A%0AThe%20research%20was%20led%20by%20renewable%20energy%20specialist%20Ji-Soo%20Jang%2C%20PhD%2C%20alongside%20collaborators%20from%20Ajou%20University%20and%20Chungbuk%20National%20University.%20According%20to%20the%20team%2C%20this%20innovation%20represents%20a%20transformative%20approach%20to%20climate%20solutions.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CCapturing%20greenhouse%20gases%20while%20simultaneously%20producing%20electricity%20introduces%20a%20new%20paradigm%20for%20tackling%20climate%20change%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20researchers%20explained.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ETurning%20greenhouse%20gases%20into%20a%20valuable%20resource%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AGlobal%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%20reached%20approximately%2058.6%20gigatons%20of%20CO%E2%82%82%20equivalent%20in%202024%2C%20according%20to%20the%20Emissions%20Database%20for%20Global%20Atmospheric%20Research%20(EDGAR).%20The%20largest%20contributors%20include%20China%2C%20the%20United%20States%2C%20and%20India.%20Despite%20global%20agreements%20like%20the%20Paris%20Agreement%2C%20emissions%20reduction%20efforts%20remain%20insufficient.%0A%0ATo%20address%20both%20environmental%20and%20energy%20challenges%2C%20the%20Korean%20research%20team%20engineered%20an%20advanced%20asymmetric%20system%20combining%20carbon-based%20electrodes%20with%20hydrogel%20materials.%0A%0AWhen%20gases%20such%20as%20carbon%20dioxide%20(CO%E2%82%82)%20or%20nitrogen%20oxides%20(NOx)%20come%20into%20contact%20with%20the%20device%2C%20they%20are%20captured%20on%20the%20electrode%20surface.%20This%20interaction%20triggers%20microscopic%20processes%E2%80%94including%20ion%20movement%20and%20charge%20redistribution%E2%80%94that%20generate%20a%20steady%20flow%20of%20direct%20current%20(DC)%20electricity.%0A%0AImportantly%2C%20this%20process%20operates%20independently%2C%20requiring%20no%20external%20power%20source.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EClean%20energy%20innovation%20with%20real-world%20applications%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20researchers%20believe%20this%20technology%20has%20strong%20potential%20for%20real-world%20deployment.%20Because%20it%20generates%20electricity%20autonomously%2C%20it%20could%20pave%20the%20way%20for%20self-powered%20systems%20and%20devices.%0A%0APossible%20applications%20include%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Battery-free%20air%20quality%20monitoring%20sensors%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Distributed%20Internet%20of%20Things%20(IoT)%20devices%20in%20remote%20locations%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Industrial%20systems%20that%20both%20reduce%20emissions%20and%20recover%20energy%20from%20exhaust%20gases%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20work%20shows%20that%20greenhouse%20gases%20are%20not%20just%20pollutants%E2%80%94they%20can%20also%20serve%20as%20a%20new%20energy%20source%2C%E2%80%9D%20Jang%20noted.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20scalable%20solution%20for%20carbon%20neutrality%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ABy%20integrating%20gas%20capture%20and%20electricity%20generation%20into%20a%20single%20platform%2C%20the%20GCEG%20technology%20offers%20a%20scalable%2C%20low-energy%20solution%20for%20reducing%20emissions%20while%20producing%20clean%20power.%0A%0AThe%20researchers%20emphasize%20that%20this%20dual-function%20system%20could%20play%20a%20key%20role%20in%20achieving%20carbon%20neutrality%20by%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Lowering%20greenhouse%20gas%20concentrations%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Generating%20sustainable%20electricity%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Enabling%20energy-efficient%20environmental%20technologies%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIn%20this%20system%2C%20atmospheric%20pollutants%20effectively%20become%20the%20fuel%20for%20power%20generation%E2%80%94cleaning%20the%20environment%20while%20producing%20energy%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20team%20stated.%0A%0AThe%20full%20study%20detailing%20this%20breakthrough%20has%20been%20published%20in%20the%20journal%20Energy%20%26%20Environmental%20Science%2C%20highlighting%20its%20significance%20in%20the%20global%20push%20toward%20cleaner%20energy%20and%20climate%20mitigation.

Gas battery turns CO2 into clean electricity

Researchers%20have%20developed%20advanced%20floatable%20beads%20made%20from%20chitosan%20and%20cellulose%20acetate%2C%20enhanced%20with%20bentonite%20clay%2C%20to%20improve%20oil%20spill%20remediation.%20These%20engineered%20beads%20demonstrate%20strong%20oil%20adsorption%20performance%20while%20remaining%20buoyant%2C%20making%20them%20easy%20to%20collect%20from%20the%20water%20surface%20after%20use.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EAddressing%20the%20global%20challenge%20of%20oil%20spills%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AOil%20spills%E2%80%94defined%20as%20the%20accidental%20release%20of%20crude%20oil%20into%20marine%20environments%E2%80%94pose%20serious%20ecological%20risks%20and%20require%20rapid%20response%20solutions.%20Traditional%20cleanup%20methods%20include%20mechanical%20recovery%2C%20which%20is%20labor-intensive%20and%20costly%3B%20in%20situ%20burning%2C%20which%20can%20severely%20harm%20ecosystems%3B%20bioremediation%2C%20which%20is%20environmentally%20friendly%20but%20slow%3B%20and%20chemical%20dispersants%2C%20which%20often%20introduce%20additional%20environmental%20damage.%20Sorbent%20materials%20offer%20a%20promising%20alternative%2C%20though%20many%20existing%20options%20lack%20efficiency%20or%20practicality.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EBreakthrough%20sorbent%20technology%20from%20international%20researchers%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAn%20international%20team%20led%20by%20Hiroshima%20University%20has%20introduced%20a%20next-generation%20oil-absorbing%20material%3A%20chitosan%2Fcellulose%20acetate%40bentonite%20composite%20beads.%20These%20innovative%20sorbents%20combine%20high%20oil%20adsorption%20capacity%20with%20intrinsic%20floatability%2C%20making%20them%20highly%20effective%20for%20oil%20spill%20cleanup.%20The%20study%20was%20published%20in%20Polymers%20for%20Advanced%20Technologies.%0A%0AWith%20global%20oil%20consumption%20exceeding%20100%20million%20barrels%20per%20day%2C%20the%20risk%20of%20spills%20during%20extraction%20and%20transportation%20remains%20a%20significant%20concern.%20Although%20major%20spills%20are%20relatively%20rare%2C%20their%20environmental%20impact%20is%20severe%2C%20highlighting%20the%20need%20for%20better%20cleanup%20technologies.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EEco-friendly%20and%20cost-effective%20oil%20adsorbent%20design%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20research%20team%20focused%20on%20creating%20a%20sustainable%2C%20low-cost%2C%20and%20biodegradable%20solution%20using%20natural%20polymers.%20By%20applying%20a%20rational%20design%20approach%2C%20they%20engineered%20composite%20beads%20that%20maximize%20oil%20absorption%20while%20maintaining%20structural%20stability%20and%20buoyancy.%0A%0AThe%20beads%20were%20produced%20with%20varying%20bentonite%20content%20(7.69%25%20and%2014.29%25)%20to%20evaluate%20performance%20differences.%20A%20porous%20internal%20structure%20was%20achieved%20using%20calcium%20carbonate%2C%20enhancing%20the%20material%E2%80%99s%20ability%20to%20trap%20oil.%20Testing%20in%20simulated%20seawater%20confirmed%20their%20effectiveness%20in%20absorbing%20medium-heavy%20crude%20oil.%0A%0AThese%20lightweight%20beads%20float%20on%20the%20water%20surface%2C%20acting%20like%20miniature%20sponges%20that%20selectively%20%D8%AC%D8%B0%D8%A8%20oil%20and%20can%20be%20easily%20retrieved%20after%20use%E2%80%94an%20advantage%20over%20many%20conventional%20sorbents.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EKey%20features%20and%20performance%20advantages%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20composite%20beads%20offer%20several%20important%20benefits%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20High%20oil%20adsorption%20capacity%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Floatability%20for%20easy%20recovery%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Biodegradable%20and%20environmentally%20safe%20materials%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Low%20production%20cost%20for%20scalability%0A%0AAdvanced%20material%20analysis%20revealed%20that%20bentonite%20improves%20thermal%20stability%20and%20strengthens%20the%20internal%20structure%20of%20the%20beads.%20The%20porous%20architecture%2C%20enhanced%20by%20both%20calcium%20carbonate%20and%20bentonite%2C%20increases%20surface%20area%20and%20oil%20efficiency.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ESuperior%20oil%20adsorption%20efficiency%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0APerformance%20testing%20showed%20that%20the%20beads%20reach%20oil%20adsorption%20equilibrium%20within%20just%2060%20minutes%E2%80%94significantly%20faster%20than%20traditional%20chitosan-based%20materials.%20The%20highest%20adsorption%20capacity%20was%20achieved%20with%20the%20higher%20bentonite%20formulation%2C%20reaching%20over%20450%20mg%20of%20oil%20per%20gram%20of%20material.%0A%0AOptimal%20conditions%20for%20oil%20removal%20included%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20pH%20level%20of%208%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Moderate%20agitation%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Controlled%20salinity%20levels%0A%0AInterestingly%2C%20adsorption%20efficiency%20decreased%20at%20higher%20temperatures%20but%20improved%20with%20increasing%20salinity%20up%20to%20a%20certain%20threshold%2C%20making%20the%20material%20well-suited%20for%20marine%20environments.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20promising%20solution%20forsustainable%20oil%20spill%20remediation%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ACompared%20to%20existing%20chitosan-based%20sorbents%2C%20these%20composite%20beads%20show%20superior%20performance%2C%20especially%20for%20medium-heavy%20crude%20oils%20under%20realistic%20environmental%20conditions.%20While%20some%20alternatives%20may%20perform%20better%20with%20lighter%20oils%2C%20the%20new%20material%20excels%20in%20practical%2C%20real-world%20scenarios.%0A%0AThe%20combination%20of%20biodegradability%2C%20efficiency%2C%20and%20affordability%20positions%20these%20floatable%20beads%20as%20a%20strong%20candidate%20for%20large-scale%20oil%20spill%20cleanup%20operations.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EFuture%20development%20and%20real-world%20applications%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20research%20team%20plans%20to%20further%20refine%20the%20material%20and%20test%20its%20effectiveness%20in%20real%20marine%20environments%20with%20different%20oil%20types.%20Their%20long-term%20goal%20is%20to%20develop%20scalable%2C%20eco-friendly%20technologies%20that%20can%20be%20deployed%20in%20emergency%20oil%20spill%20response%20systems%20worldwide.%0A%0AThis%20innovation%20represents%20a%20significant%20step%20toward%20safer%20oceans%20and%20more%20sustainable%20environmental%20protection%20strategies.

Floatable beads for eco oil spill cleanup

A%20cutting-edge%20sustainability%20facility%20in%20Longview%2C%20Washington%20is%20tackling%20food%20waste%20by%20converting%20unsold%20products%20into%20renewable%20energy%20and%20agricultural%20fertilizer%2C%20helping%20reduce%20landfill%20use%20across%20the%20Pacific%20Northwest.%0A%0ADivert%20Inc.%20recently%20announced%20the%20launch%20of%20its%20Integrated%20Diversion%20%26%20Energy%20Facility%2C%20marking%20the%20first%20installation%20of%20its%20kind%20in%20Washington%20state.%20The%2066%2C000-square-foot%20plant%20leverages%20advanced%20depackaging%20systems%20and%20anaerobic%20digestion%20technology%20to%20process%20surplus%20food%20and%20organic%20waste%20into%20valuable%20resources.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ETurning%20unsold%20food%20into%20clean%20energy%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ADesigned%20for%20high%20efficiency%2C%20the%20Longview%20facility%20can%20process%20up%20to%20100%2C000%20tons%20of%20unsold%2C%20non-donatable%20food%20annually.%20According%20to%20Divert%2C%20the%20site%20is%20expected%20to%20generate%20more%20than%20235%2C000%20MMBtu%20of%20renewable%20energy%20each%20year%2C%20along%20with%20approximately%20450%2C000%20pounds%20of%20nutrient-rich%20fertilizer.%0A%0AThis%20output%20is%20significant%20enough%20to%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Power%20over%203%2C200%20homes%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Support%20the%20production%20of%20225%20million%20pounds%20of%20apples%20annually%0A%0AIn%20addition%2C%20the%20facility%20is%20projected%20to%20reduce%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%20by%20as%20much%20as%2023%2C000%20metric%20tons%20of%20CO%E2%82%82%20equivalent%20per%20year%2C%20contributing%20to%20regional%20climate%20goals.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EStrengthening%20a%20circular%20food%20system%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ARyan%20Begin%2C%20CEO%20and%20co-founder%20of%20Divert%2C%20emphasized%20the%20broader%20impact%20of%20the%20project%2C%20noting%20that%20localized%20waste%20solutions%20are%20critical%20as%20food%20disposal%20systems%20become%20more%20complex%20nationwide.%20The%20Longview%20facility%20is%20designed%20to%20enhance%20food%20recovery%2C%20generate%20renewable%20energy%2C%20and%20return%20essential%20nutrients%20to%20local%20agriculture%E2%80%94supporting%20a%20more%20circular%20and%20resilient%20food%20economy.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ESupporting%20major%20retailers%20and%20food%20recovery%20efforts%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20facility%20will%20serve%20a%20wide%20network%20of%20food%20industry%20partners%2C%20including%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Albertsons%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Kroger%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Safeway%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Fred%20Meyer%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Reser's%20Fine%20Foods%0A%0AAdditionally%2C%20Divert%20is%20collaborating%20with%20Feeding%20America%20to%20increase%20food%20donation%20opportunities%20and%20support%20local%20communities%20facing%20food%20insecurity.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EHelping%20businesses%20meet%20environmental%20regulations%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20Longview%20plant%20also%20provides%20a%20compliant%20solution%20for%20businesses%20adapting%20to%20stricter%20environmental%20policies%2C%20including%20Washington%20state%E2%80%99s%20organics%20diversion%20requirements%20and%20Portland%E2%80%99s%20commercial%20food%20waste%20regulations.%20By%20redirecting%20organic%20waste%20away%20from%20landfills%2C%20companies%20can%20meet%20legal%20obligations%20while%20improving%20sustainability%20performance.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ERenewable%20natural%20gas%20integration%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AStrategically%20located%20in%20an%20industrial%20hub%2C%20the%20facility%20benefits%20from%20proximity%20to%20energy%20infrastructure.%20Through%20a%20partnership%20with%20Cascade%20Natural%20Gas%2C%20renewable%20natural%20gas%20produced%20at%20the%20site%20will%20be%20injected%20directly%20into%20the%20existing%20pipeline%20network%2C%20supplying%20energy%20to%20homes%2C%20businesses%2C%20and%20industries%20that%20are%20difficult%20to%20electrify.%0A

Food waste to energy plant opens in Longview

For%20decades%2C%20Gibraltar%20has%20discharged%20untreated%20sewage%20from%20nearly%2040%2C000%20residents%20and%20businesses%20directly%20into%20the%20Mediterranean%20Sea%20due%20to%20the%20absence%20of%20a%20wastewater%20treatment%20facility.%20The%20British%20overseas%20territory%2C%20located%20at%20the%20southern%20edge%20of%20the%20Iberian%20Peninsula%2C%20has%20never%20operated%20a%20sewage%20treatment%20plant%2C%20leading%20to%20growing%20environmental%20concerns%20and%20public%20criticism.%0A%0AAt%20Europa%20Point%2C%20large%20volumes%20of%20raw%20sewage%20continue%20to%20flow%20into%20coastal%20waters%2C%20despite%20the%20area%20being%20recognized%20for%20its%20ecological%20importance%20and%20marine%20biodiversity.%20Local%20environmental%20groups%20report%20increasing%20levels%20of%20pollution%2C%20including%20plastic%20waste%2C%20wet%20wipes%2C%20and%20sewage%20debris%20scattered%20across%20beaches%20and%20tangled%20in%20sea%20algae.%0A%0AEnvironmental%20campaigners%20warn%20that%20untreated%20sewage%20pollution%20can%20severely%20damage%20marine%20ecosystems.%20Wastewater%20discharged%20into%20the%20sea%20contributes%20to%20toxic%20algal%20blooms%2C%20lowers%20oxygen%20levels%20in%20the%20water%2C%20and%20threatens%20fish%2C%20marine%20mammals%2C%20and%20other%20aquatic%20species.%20Experts%20also%20caution%20that%20sewage%20contamination%20exposes%20wildlife%20and%20humans%20to%20harmful%20chemicals%2C%20pathogens%2C%20microplastics%2C%20and%20antibiotic-resistant%20bacteria.%0A%0AGibraltar%E2%80%99s%20sewage%20infrastructure%20differs%20from%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%20because%20it%20relies%20on%20seawater-based%20sewer%20systems%2C%20while%20drinking%20water%20is%20produced%20through%20desalination.%20According%20to%20Gibraltar%20authorities%2C%20the%20high%20salinity%20of%20the%20wastewater%20has%20historically%20created%20technical%20challenges%20for%20conventional%20treatment%20processes.%20Officials%20have%20also%20claimed%20that%20some%20of%20the%20waste%20found%20on%20local%20beaches%20may%20originate%20from%20nearby%20areas%20of%20Spain.%0A%0AThe%20environmental%20issue%20has%20drawn%20international%20attention%20for%20years.%20In%202017%2C%20the%20European%20Court%20of%20Justice%20ruled%20that%20the%20UK%20had%20violated%20European%20wastewater%20regulations%20by%20failing%20to%20properly%20treat%20Gibraltar%E2%80%99s%20sewage.%20However%2C%20after%20Brexit%2C%20the%20European%20Commission%20lost%20its%20authority%20to%20enforce%20action%20against%20Gibraltar%20or%20the%20UK%20over%20the%20matter.%0A%0ASeveral%20attempts%20to%20resolve%20Gibraltar%E2%80%99s%20sewage%20crisis%20have%20failed.%20In%202018%2C%20the%20government%20awarded%20a%20contract%20to%20a%20partnership%20involving%20NWG%20Commercial%20Services%2C%20part%20of%20Northumbrian%20Water%2C%20and%20Modern%20Water%20to%20design%20and%20operate%20a%20wastewater%20treatment%20plant.%20The%20project%20later%20collapsed%20after%20a%20subsidiary%20of%20Modern%20Water%20entered%20liquidation%2C%20delaying%20progress%20on%20critical%20infrastructure%20improvements.%0A%0AGovernment%20officials%20stated%20that%20the%20failed%20agreement%20significantly%20impacted%20efforts%20to%20modernize%20Gibraltar%E2%80%99s%20wastewater%20management%20system.%20Negotiations%20with%20the%20European%20Investment%20Bank%20reportedly%20ended%20following%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%20departure%20from%20the%20European%20Union%2C%20further%20complicating%20funding%20and%20development%20plans.%0A%0AIn%20June%202025%2C%20Gibraltar%20announced%20a%20new%2025-year%20agreement%20with%20Eco%20Waters%20to%20construct%20a%20modern%20wastewater%20treatment%20plant%20at%20Europa%20Point.%20Initial%20design%20work%20and%20geotechnical%20assessments%20are%20already%20underway%2C%20while%20a%20formal%20planning%20application%20was%20submitted%20in%20March%202026.%0A%0ANorthumbrian%20Water%20has%20publicly%20distanced%20itself%20from%20responsibility%20for%20Gibraltar%E2%80%99s%20sewage%20operations.%20The%20company%20stated%20that%20its%20involvement%20focused%20primarily%20on%20supplying%20drinking%20water%20through%20the%20AquaGib%20joint%20venture%20and%20that%20wastewater%20management%20decisions%20remained%20under%20the%20control%20of%20the%20Gibraltar%20government.%0A%0AMeanwhile%2C%20concerns%20about%20the%20condition%20of%20Gibraltar%E2%80%99s%20aging%20sewer%20infrastructure%20continue%20to%20grow.%20Opposition%20politicians%20have%20described%20tourist%20areas%20suffering%20from%20the%20smell%20of%20untreated%20sewage%2C%20with%20wastewater%20reportedly%20leaking%20through%20historic%20city%20walls%20and%20affecting%20the%20surrounding%20marine%20environment.%20Gibraltar%20officials%20attribute%20many%20of%20these%20issues%20to%20decades%20of%20underinvestment%20in%20sewer%20systems.%0A%0AAuthorities%20say%20improvements%20are%20underway%2C%20including%20a%20%C2%A315%20million%20investment%20in%20new%20sewer%20mains%20and%20multiple%20infrastructure%20reinforcement%20projects%20aimed%20at%20modernizing%20the%20city%E2%80%99s%20drainage%20network.%20Government%20representatives%20also%20maintain%20that%20routine%20water%20testing%20at%20Gibraltar%E2%80%99s%20beaches%20%0A%0AThe%20controversy%20comes%20amid%20wider%20scrutiny%20of%20sewage%20pollution%20across%20the%20UK.%20In%20England%20alone%2C%20water%20companies%20reportedly%20discharged%20untreated%20sewage%20into%20rivers%2C%20lakes%2C%20and%20coastal%20waters%20nearly%20300%2C000%20times%20last%20year%20despite%20operating%20wastewater%20treatment%20facilities.%0A%0AEnvironmental%20advocates%20argue%20that%20stronger%20action%20is%20urgently%20needed%20to%20protect%20marine%20ecosystems%20from%20sewage%20and%20plastic%20pollution.%20Campaigners%20continue%20to%20call%20on%20governments%20and%20utility%20providers%20to%20prioritize%20sustainable%20wastewater%20treatment%20solutions%20and%20prevent%20untreated%20sewage%20from%20entering%20the%20Mediterranean%20Sea.

Gibraltar dumps sewage into Mediterranean

Scientists%20in%20the%20United%20States%20have%20developed%20a%20low-cost%2C%20sulfur-resistant%20catalyst%20that%20can%20transform%20wasted%20methane%20into%20valuable%20liquid%20chemicals%20and%20fuels%2C%20offering%20a%20promising%20solution%20for%20reducing%20emissions%20while%20making%20better%20use%20of%20natural%20gas%20resources.%0A%0AThe%20breakthrough%20comes%20from%20researchers%20at%20the%20U.S.%20Department%20of%20Energy%E2%80%99s%20Brookhaven%20National%20Laboratory%20(BNL)%2C%20who%20focused%20on%20molybdenum%20disulfide%20(MoS%E2%82%82)%E2%80%94an%20abundant%20and%20inexpensive%20industrial%20material.%20Their%20study%20demonstrates%20that%2C%20with%20only%20minor%20modifications%2C%20the%20catalyst%20can%20efficiently%20convert%20methane%20into%20methyl%20peroxide%20and%20other%20liquid%20oxygenates%20at%20temperatures%20below%20100%C2%B0C%20(212%C2%B0F).%0A%0AMethyl%20peroxide%20is%20an%20important%20intermediate%20used%20in%20the%20production%20of%20methanol%2C%20a%20versatile%20liquid%20fuel%20and%20essential%20feedstock%20for%20numerous%20industrial%20applications.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ELow-cost%20catalyst%20offers%20high%20methane%20conversion%20efficiency%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAccording%20to%20Dr.%20Sanjaya%20Senanayake%2C%20the%20study%E2%80%99s%20corresponding%20author%2C%20the%20catalyst%20delivers%20exceptional%20methane%20conversion%20performance%20while%20maintaining%20remarkable%20selectivity%20toward%20valuable%20products.%0A%0AThe%20research%20showed%20that%20the%20material%20produces%20high%20yields%20of%20methanol%20precursors%2C%20opening%20new%20possibilities%20for%20cleaner%20chemical%20manufacturing%20and%20more%20efficient%20utilization%20of%20natural%20gas.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ETurning%20wasted%20methane%20into%20transportable%20liquid%20chemicals%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ALarge%20quantities%20of%20methane%20produced%20at%20remote%20oil%20and%20gas%20fields%20are%20often%20flared%20or%20vented%20because%20transporting%20the%20gas%20requires%20expensive%20pipeline%20infrastructure.%20This%20practice%20wastes%20a%20valuable%20energy%20source%20while%20releasing%20significant%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%20into%20the%20atmosphere.%0A%0AThe%20Brookhaven%20team%20believes%20its%20new%20catalyst%20could%20help%20solve%20this%20long-standing%20problem%20by%20converting%20stranded%20methane%20directly%20into%20liquid%20chemicals%20that%20are%20far%20easier%20and%20cheaper%20to%20transport.%0A%0AResearcher%20Dr.%20Steve%20Farrell%20explained%20that%20the%20technology%20effectively%20transforms%20an%20otherwise%20wasted%20resource%20into%20products%20with%20real%20commercial%20value.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ESulfur-tolerant%20design%20eliminates%20a%20major%20industry%20challenge%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20catalyst's%20biggest%20advantages%20is%20its%20natural%20resistance%20to%20sulfur%20contamination.%0A%0AConventional%20methane-conversion%20catalysts%20often%20lose%20efficiency%20because%20sulfur%20compounds%20commonly%20found%20in%20raw%20natural%20gas%20poison%20their%20active%20surfaces.%20Since%20molybdenum%20disulfide%20already%20contains%20sulfur%20within%20its%20crystal%20structure%2C%20it%20remains%20highly%20stable%20under%20these%20challenging%20conditions.%0A%0ACo-author%20Dr.%20Juan%20Jim%C3%A9nez%20noted%20that%20natural%20gas%20composition%20varies%20significantly%20from%20one%20location%20to%20another.%20The%20research%20team%20is%20therefore%20developing%20multiple%20catalyst%20materials%20capable%20of%20processing%20different%20methane%20sources%20across%20the%20United%20States%20and%20worldwide.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EAdvanced%20x-ray%20analysis%20reveals%20how%20the%20catalyst%20works%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ATo%20better%20understand%20the%20catalyst's%20behavior%2C%20scientists%20used%20advanced%20X-ray%20spectroscopy%20at%20Brookhaven's%20National%20Synchrotron%20Light%20Source%20II%2C%20allowing%20them%20to%20observe%20atomic-level%20structural%20changes%20while%20the%20chemical%20reaction%20occurred%20in%20real%20time.%0A%0ADuring%20testing%2C%20methane%20reacted%20with%20diluted%20hydrogen%20peroxide%20in%20water%20at%20approximately%2075%C2%B0C%20(167%C2%B0F).%20The%20catalyst%20converted%20methane%20into%20liquid%20oxygenates%20with%20complete%20selectivity%2C%20producing%20only%20the%20desired%20family%20of%20chemical%20products.%0A%0APerformance%20equaled%E2%80%94and%20in%20some%20cases%20surpassed%E2%80%94that%20of%20significantly%20more%20expensive%20catalysts%20based%20on%20precious%20metals%20such%20as%20palladium%20and%20rhodium%2C%20despite%20requiring%20only%20minimal%20treatment%20before%20use.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EDurable%20catalyst%20could%20lower%20methane%20processing%20costs%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AFurther%20experiments%20revealed%20that%20the%20catalyst%20became%20more%20metallic%20while%20operating%2C%20enabling%20electrons%20to%20move%20more%20freely%20and%20improving%20reaction%20efficiency.%20At%20the%20same%20time%2C%20its%20crystal%20structure%20remained%20stable%2C%20indicating%20strong%20durability%20and%20the%20potential%20for%20repeated%20industrial%20use.%0A%0AResearchers%20also%20discovered%20that%20hydroxyl%20radicals%20generated%20from%20hydrogen%20peroxide%20play%20a%20crucial%20role%20in%20breaking%20methane's%20exceptionally%20strong%20carbon-hydrogen%20bonds.%20Rather%20than%20allowing%20these%20reactive%20molecules%20to%20trigger%20unwanted%20side%20reactions%2C%20the%20catalyst%20directs%20them%20toward%20forming%20a%20single%2C%20highly%20desirable%20product%20stream.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EPatent%20filed%20for%20promising%20methane%20conversion%20technology%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20researchers%20believe%20their%20discovery%20could%20pave%20the%20way%20for%20affordable%2C%20sulfur-resistant%20methane%20conversion%20technologies%20capable%20of%20reducing%20emissions%20while%20creating%20valuable%20fuels%20and%20chemical%20feedstocks%20from%20wasted%20natural%20gas.%0A%0ARecognizing%20the%20commercial%20potential%20of%20the%20innovation%2C%20Brookhaven%20Science%20Associates%20has%20already%20filed%20a%20provisional%20patent%20covering%20the%20catalyst%20and%20its%20methane%20conversion%20process.

New catalyst turns methane into fuel 

Researchers%20in%20Germany%20have%20introduced%20an%20innovative%20wastewater%20treatment%20technology%20that%20removes%20ammonia%20from%20sewage%20while%20recovering%20it%20as%20a%20valuable%20industrial%20resource%20instead%20of%20treating%20it%20as%20waste.%20The%20pilot-scale%20system%20is%20currently%20being%20tested%20at%20a%20municipal%20wastewater%20treatment%20plant%20in%20Neu-Ulm%20and%20could%20help%20utilities%20meet%20stricter%20European%20environmental%20regulations.%0A%0AThe%20project%20was%20developed%20by%20engineers%20from%20the%20University%20of%20Ulm%20in%20collaboration%20with%20the%20Steinh%C3%A4ule%20Wastewater%20Treatment%20Association%20and%20industrial%20separation%20technology%20specialists.%20Their%20goal%20is%20to%20improve%20nitrogen%20removal%20from%20wastewater%20while%20supporting%20a%20circular%20economy%20through%20nutrient%20recovery.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ETackling%20harmful%20ammonia%20pollution%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAmmonium%20and%20other%20nitrogen%20compounds%20released%20into%20rivers%20and%20lakes%20can%20seriously%20damage%20aquatic%20ecosystems.%20Excess%20nutrients%20trigger%20algal%20blooms%2C%20reduce%20oxygen%20levels%20in%20water%2C%20and%20threaten%20fish%20and%20other%20wildlife%20through%20a%20process%20known%20as%20eutrophication.%0A%0ATo%20address%20these%20environmental%20risks%2C%20the%20European%20Union's%20updated%20Urban%20Wastewater%20Treatment%20Directive%20will%20require%20wastewater%20facilities%20to%20remove%20significantly%20more%20nitrogen%20and%20phosphorus%20beginning%20in%20August%202027.%20The%20new%20German%20technology%20has%20been%20designed%20to%20help%20treatment%20plants%20comply%20with%20these%20tighter%20standards%20while%20recovering%20valuable%20resources%20from%20the%20process.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ESteam-based%20process%20captures%20valuable%20ammonia%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20pilot%20system%20relies%20on%20a%20thermal%20steam-stripping%20process%20that%20targets%20centrate%20water%20generated%20during%20sewage%20sludge%20dewatering.%20This%20liquid%20contains%20particularly%20high%20concentrations%20of%20ammonium.%0A%0AInside%20a%20stripping%20column%2C%20rising%20steam%20heats%20the%20wastewater%20until%20the%20dissolved%20ammonium%20converts%20into%20gaseous%20ammonia.%20The%20ammonia-rich%20vapor%20is%20then%20condensed%2C%20producing%20a%20concentrated%20ammonia%20solution%20while%20the%20treated%20water%20leaves%20the%20system%20with%20only%20small%20amounts%20of%20residual%20ammonium.%0A%0AThe%20recovered%20ammonia%20solution%20can%20be%20reused%20in%20industrial%20applications%2C%20including%20carbon%20dioxide%20capture%20from%20industrial%20exhaust%20gases%2C%20transforming%20what%20was%20once%20a%20pollutant%20into%20a%20commercially%20useful%20product.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ESupporting%20a%20circular%20wastewater%20economy%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AResearchers%20believe%20the%20technology%20offers%20a%20sustainable%20alternative%20to%20conventional%20wastewater%20treatment%20by%20combining%20pollution%20control%20with%20resource%20recovery.%20Instead%20of%20simply%20removing%20nitrogen%20compounds%2C%20the%20process%20creates%20a%20reusable%20product%20that%20supports%20industrial%20decarbonization%20and%20reduces%20waste.%0A%0AThe%20pilot%20installation%20has%20been%20operating%20since%20May%202026%20and%20will%20undergo%20several%20months%20of%20testing%20under%20real-world%20conditions.%20Data%20collected%20during%20the%20demonstration%20will%20help%20optimize%20the%20system%20before%20it%20is%20scaled%20for%20full%20commercial%20deployment.%0A%0AIf%20successful%2C%20the%20technology%20could%20provide%20wastewater%20utilities%20with%20an%20efficient%20way%20to%20meet%20future%20environmental%20regulations%20while%20recovering%20valuable%20nitrogen%20resources%20and%20advancing%20circular%20economy%20practices.

New tech removes ammonia from wastewater 

Researchers%20have%20introduced%20a%20groundbreaking%20electrochemical%20ion%20pumping%20(EIP)%20technology%20that%20can%20simultaneously%20desalinate%20industrial%20wastewater%20and%20recover%20high-purity%20heavy%20metals%20in%20a%20single%20process.%20The%20innovative%20system%20not%20only%20treats%20highly%20saline%20industrial%20brine%20but%20also%20converts%20hazardous%20waste%20into%20reusable%20resources%2C%20offering%20a%20more%20sustainable%20solution%20for%20wastewater%20management.%0A%0ADeveloped%20by%20scientists%20from%20Rice%20University%20and%20Vanderbilt%20University%2C%20the%20EIP%20platform%20eliminates%20the%20need%20for%20multiple%20treatment%20stages%2C%20providing%20an%20energy-efficient%20alternative%20to%20conventional%20methods%20such%20as%20reverse%20osmosis%20and%20chemical%20precipitation.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20smarter%20solution%20for%20industrial%20wastewater%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AIndustries%20including%20electronics%20manufacturing%2C%20mining%2C%20and%20metal%20processing%20generate%20wastewater%20containing%20large%20amounts%20of%20dissolved%20salts%20and%20toxic%20heavy%20metals.%20Treating%20these%20waste%20streams%20has%20traditionally%20required%20separate%20technologies%2C%20resulting%20in%20high%20operational%20costs%2C%20significant%20energy%20consumption%2C%20and%20large%20volumes%20of%20hazardous%20waste.%0A%0AReverse%20osmosis%20is%20widely%20used%20to%20remove%20salts%2C%20but%20it%20leaves%20behind%20concentrated%20brine%20that%20still%20requires%20disposal.%20Chemical%20precipitation%20can%20extract%20heavy%20metals%2C%20yet%20it%20generates%20toxic%20sludge%20that%20is%20costly%20to%20transport%20and%20manage.%0A%0AThe%20newly%20developed%20EIP%20platform%20combines%20both%20treatment%20processes%20into%20a%20single%20continuous%20operation%2C%20reducing%20waste%20while%20recovering%20valuable%20materials.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EHow%20electrochemical%20ion%20pumping%20works%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20electrochemical%20ion%20pumping%20system%20transfers%20dissolved%20ions%20from%20contaminated%20wastewater%20into%20a%20separate%20receiving%20solution%20using%20specially%20engineered%20electrodes.%0A%0AUnlike%20traditional%20electrosorption%20systems%20that%20require%20operators%20to%20repeatedly%20stop%20the%20process%20and%20switch%20between%20adsorption%20and%20regeneration%20solutions%2C%20the%20new%20approach%20relies%20on%20rapid%20electrical%20control%20instead%20of%20physically%20replacing%20liquids.%0A%0ABy%20continuously%20adjusting%20the%20electrical%20circuit%2C%20ions%20move%20through%20the%20system%20in%20one%20direction%20without%20interrupting%20operation%2C%20significantly%20improving%20efficiency%20and%20simplifying%20industrial%20wastewater%20treatment.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EProgrammable%20electrodes%20enable%20selective%20metal%20recovery%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20technology's%20biggest%20advantages%20is%20its%20programmable%20electrode%20design.%0A%0AResearchers%20can%20precisely%20control%20the%20voltage%20applied%20to%20the%20electrodes%2C%20allowing%20the%20system%20to%20determine%20which%20dissolved%20ions%20are%20removed%20from%20the%20wastewater.%0A%0AAt%20higher%20voltages%2C%20the%20platform%20operates%20primarily%20as%20a%20desalination%20system%2C%20allowing%20both%20salt%20ions%20and%20copper%20ions%20to%20move%20into%20the%20receiving%20stream.%0A%0AWhen%20the%20voltage%20is%20lowered%20below%20copper's%20electrochemical%20reaction%20threshold%2C%20the%20electrodes%20selectively%20capture%20copper%20while%20allowing%20dissolved%20salts%20to%20continue%20through%20the%20desalination%20pathway.%20This%20programmable%20approach%20enables%20targeted%20recovery%20of%20valuable%20metals%20without%20additional%20chemical%20treatment.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EHigh%20recovery%20rates%20in%20laboratory%20tests%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ATesting%20demonstrated%20impressive%20performance%20across%20multiple%20wastewater%20scenarios.%0A%0AWhen%20treating%20synthetic%20wastewater%20containing%20salt%20and%20copper%2C%20the%20EIP%20platform%20removed%20approximately%2090%25%20of%20dissolved%20salts%20while%20capturing%20nearly%20all%20of%20the%20copper%20on%20the%20electrode%20surface.%0A%0AResearchers%20then%20evaluated%20the%20system%20using%20a%20more%20complex%20wastewater%20mixture%20containing%20copper%2C%20nickel%2C%20and%20sodium.%20By%20using%20a%20five-electrode%20configuration%20and%20carefully%20controlling%20voltage%20levels%2C%20the%20technology%20selectively%20recovered%20copper%20while%20allowing%20other%20ions%20to%20pass%20through%20the%20system.%0A%0AWithin%20four%20hours%2C%20the%20platform%20removed%2085%25%20of%20dissolved%20salts%20and%20recovered%20more%20than%2092%25%20of%20both%20copper%20and%20nickel.%20The%20recovered%20copper%20achieved%20an%20impressive%2096%25%20purity%20compared%20with%20nickel%20contamination%2C%20demonstrating%20the%20system's%20ability%20to%20produce%20reusable%20industrial%20materials.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EReducing%20pollution%20while%20recovering%20valuable%20resources%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20electrochemical%20ion%20pumping%20platform%20represents%20a%20significant%20step%20toward%20circular%20industrial%20water%20management.%0A%0AInstead%20of%20producing%20hazardous%20sludge%20that%20requires%20expensive%20disposal%2C%20manufacturers%20could%20recycle%20wastewater%20for%20repeated%20use%20while%20recovering%20high-value%20metals%20directly%20from%20treatment%20equipment.%20This%20dual%20benefit%20reduces%20environmental%20impact%2C%20lowers%20treatment%20costs%2C%20and%20helps%20strengthen%20supply%20chains%20for%20critical%20raw%20materials.%0A%0AAs%20industries%20face%20increasing%20pressure%20to%20improve%20sustainability%20and%20conserve%20resources%2C%20programmable%20EIP%20technology%20offers%20a%20practical%20pathway%20for%20transforming%20industrial%20brine%20from%20an%20expensive%20waste%20product%20into%20a%20valuable%20source%20of%20reusable%20metals.%0A%0ABy%20combining%20wastewater%20purification%20with%20resource%20recovery%20in%20a%20single%20continuous%20process%2C%20this%20next-generation%20technology%20demonstrates%20that%20environmental%20protection%20and%20economic%20efficiency%20can%20work%20together%2C%20helping%20industries%20move%20toward%20cleaner%20and%20more%20sustainable%20operations.

New tech recovers metals from wastewater

Chinese%20researchers%20have%20developed%20an%20industrial-scale%20system%20capable%20of%20recovering%20valuable%20rubidium%20and%20cesium%20from%20low-grade%20materials%20associated%20with%20lithium%20ore%2C%20potentially%20reducing%20mineral%20waste%20while%20improving%20access%20to%20critical%20resources%20used%20in%20advanced%20technologies.%0A%0AThe%20new%20extraction-column%20technology%20has%20reached%20stable%20production%20and%20is%20already%20producing%20commercial%20materials.%20Researchers%20say%20it%20offers%20significantly%20higher%20processing%20efficiency%20while%20requiring%20less%20equipment%20and%20solvent%20than%20conventional%20extraction%20methods.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ERecovering%20valuable%20metals%20previously%20lost%20as%20waste%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ARubidium%20and%20cesium%20are%20relatively%20rare%20and%20highly%20dispersed%20elements%2C%20making%20economically%20viable%20standalone%20deposits%20difficult%20to%20find.%0A%0AAs%20a%20result%2C%20small%20quantities%20present%20in%20ores%20containing%20more%20abundant%20minerals%20have%20historically%20been%20difficult%20or%20uneconomical%20to%20recover.%20During%20conventional%20lithium%20processing%2C%20much%20of%20this%20material%20could%20therefore%20be%20discarded.%0A%0AThe%20new%20Chinese%20system%20changes%20that%20approach%20by%20recovering%20rubidium%20and%20cesium%20as%20valuable%20byproducts%20of%20lithium%20production.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20the%20research%20team%2C%20one%20metric%20ton%20of%20typical%20lithium%20concentrate%20contains%20approximately%2025%20kilograms%20of%20lithium%20oxide%2C%207.8%20kg%20of%20rubidium%20oxide%20and%201.8%20kg%20of%20cesium%20oxide.%0A%0AAlthough%20rubidium%20and%20cesium%20occur%20in%20much%20smaller%20quantities%20than%20lithium%2C%20extracting%20them%20efficiently%20could%20increase%20the%20amount%20of%20useful%20material%20obtained%20from%20every%20tonne%20of%20ore.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3E17%20columns%20replace%20more%20than%2070%20extraction%20tanks%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AA%20major%20innovation%20behind%20the%20project%20is%20the%20replacement%20of%20conventional%20extraction%20tanks%20with%20compact%20extraction%20columns.%0A%0AA%20traditional%20facility%20processing%20a%20comparable%20quantity%20of%20material%20would%20require%20more%20than%2070%20tanks.%20The%20new%20system%20uses%20only%2017%20extraction%20columns%2C%20divided%20among%20four%20stages%3A%20extraction%2C%20scrubbing%2C%20stripping%20and%20de-oiling.%0A%0AEach%20column%20can%20deliver%20separation%20performance%20equivalent%20to%20as%20many%20as%2015%20conventional%20stages.%0A%0AThe%20technology%20also%20cuts%20solvent%20consumption%20by%20approximately%2040%25%20and%20reduces%20the%20equipment%20footprint%20by%20more%20than%20half%2C%20according%20to%20the%20researchers.%0A%0AThese%20improvements%20could%20make%20mineral-processing%20facilities%20more%20compact%20and%20resource-efficient.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EEnclosed%20processing%20reduces%20solvent%20emissions%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20extraction%20columns%20also%20address%20some%20environmental%20and%20safety%20concerns%20associated%20with%20conventional%20processing.%0A%0ATraditional%20extraction%20tanks%20can%20expose%20organic%20solvents%20to%20the%20surrounding%20atmosphere.%20The%20new%20columns%20instead%20operate%20within%20a%20fully%20enclosed%20system.%0A%0AThis%20design%20helps%20limit%20solvent%20vapor%20emissions%20and%20odors%20while%20reducing%20associated%20fire%20risks.%0A%0AContinuous%20automated%20processing%20provides%20another%20advantage%20by%20enabling%20tighter%20control%20over%20how%20liquids%20interact%20and%20how%20individual%20elements%20are%20separated.%0A%0ASuch%20precision%20is%20particularly%20important%20for%20rubidium%20and%20cesium%20because%20the%20two%20metals%20have%20similar%20chemical%20properties%20and%20occur%20at%20relatively%20low%20concentrations.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ERecovery%20rates%20exceed%2095%25%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20demonstration%20facility%20has%20an%20annual%20production%20capacity%20of%20approximately%20500%20tonnes.%0A%0AIt%20produces%20rubidium%20carbonate%20and%20cesium%20carbonate%20with%20purity%20levels%20exceeding%2099.9%25.%20The%20overall%20cesium%20recovery%20rate%20is%20above%2098%25%2C%20while%20rubidium%20recovery%20exceeds%2095%25.%0A%0AThe%20facility%20can%20also%20manufacture%20chlorides%2C%20oxides%20and%20sulfates%20containing%20the%20two%20elements.%20These%20compounds%20can%20subsequently%20be%20processed%20into%20metallic%20rubidium%20and%20cesium%20for%20specialized%20industrial%20applications.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ECritical%20materials%20for%20emerging%20technologies%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ADespite%20being%20produced%20in%20relatively%20small%20volumes%2C%20rubidium%20and%20cesium%20have%20important%20roles%20in%20high-tech%20industries.%0A%0AApplications%20include%20aerospace%20equipment%2C%20precision%20instruments%2C%206G%20communications%20and%20quantum%20technologies%2C%20making%20reliable%20supplies%20of%20these%20materials%20increasingly%20important%20as%20advanced%20technology%20sectors%20expand.%0A%0AFinding%20ways%20to%20recover%20them%20from%20existing%20mineral-processing%20streams%20could%20reduce%20dependence%20on%20limited%20standalone%20deposits%20while%20increasing%20the%20value%20generated%20from%20lithium%20resources.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ENearly%2020%20years%20of%20research%20behind%20the%20technology%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20demonstration%20project%20was%20jointly%20developed%20by%20the%20Institute%20of%20Process%20Engineering%20of%20the%20Chinese%20Academy%20of%20Sciences%20and%20Ganfeng%20Lithium%20Group%20in%20Jiangxi%20province.%0A%0AIts%20development%20builds%20on%20almost%20two%20decades%20of%20research%20into%20extraction-column%20technology.%0A%0AThe%20underlying%20approach%20is%20not%20limited%20to%20rubidium%20and%20cesium.%20Similar%20technology%20has%20already%20been%20applied%20to%20industrial%20zirconium%20separation%20and%20phosphoric%20acid%20purification.%0A%0AResearchers%20are%20now%20developing%20additional%20applications%20involving%20the%20extraction%20of%20nickel%2C%20cobalt%20and%20lithium%20from%20ores%20and%20other%20raw%20materials.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EImproving%20resource%20efficiency%20in%20critical%20mineral%20processing%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20new%20system%20highlights%20a%20broader%20opportunity%20for%20the%20mining%20industry%3A%20recovering%20valuable%20materials%20that%20were%20previously%20overlooked%20during%20the%20extraction%20of%20primary%20commodities.%0A%0AInstead%20of%20treating%20low-concentration%20rubidium%20and%20cesium%20as%20waste%2C%20producers%20can%20potentially%20transform%20them%20into%20high-purity%20commercial%20products%20while%20processing%20lithium.%0A%0ACombined%20with%20lower%20solvent%20consumption%2C%20a%20smaller%20equipment%20footprint%20and%20reduced%20solvent%20emissions%2C%20the%20technology%20could%20support%20more%20efficient%20use%20of%20mineral%20resources.%0A%0AAs%20global%20demand%20for%20lithium%20and%20other%20critical%20materials%20continues%20to%20grow%2C%20technologies%20that%20extract%20multiple%20valuable%20elements%20from%20the%20same%20ore%20could%20become%20increasingly%20important%20for%20building%20more%20resource-efficient%20mineral%20supply%20chains.