Reactor turns natural gas into ingredient for plastics

With oil production dropping, a new process that uses natural gas to create a key ingredient for plastic could help avoid shortages.

U. Michigan • futurity
March 26, 2024 ~5 min

Five hotspots where floating plastic litter poses the greatest risk to North Atlantic marine life – new study

As it travels around the ocean, plastic litter can harm wildlife and marine habitats in many ways. This study highlights five key hotspots where floating plastic poses the biggest risk.

Samantha Garrard, Senior Marine Ecosystem Services Researcher, Plymouth Marine Laboratory • conversation
March 6, 2024 ~7 min


The Anthropocene is not an epoch − but the age of humans is most definitely underway

Scientists have been debating the start of the Anthropocene Epoch for 15 years. I was part of those discussions, and I agree with the vote rejecting it.

Erle C. Ellis, Professor of Geography and Environmental Systems, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
March 5, 2024 ~7 min

New plastic goes from squishy to rigid and back

"...we can turn it into something that behaves like a hard, high-strength material or something that's quite flexible, like a rubber band."

U. Chicago • futurity
Feb. 9, 2024 ~6 min

Team spots nanoplastics in the ocean for the first time

"Understanding the shape and chemistry of the actual nanoplastics is an essential first step in determining their toxicity..."

Karla Cruise - Notre Dame • futurity
Feb. 5, 2024 ~5 min

Hermit crabs find new homes in plastic waste: shell shortage or clever choice?

Hermit crabs have been using plastic waste such as bottle tops as homes instead of empty snail shells.

Mark Briffa, Professor of Animal Behaviour, University of Plymouth • conversation
Feb. 1, 2024 ~7 min

Colorado limits plastic bags, Boulder expands fees – but do bans and fines actually reduce waste?

Retail stores in Boulder, Colo., banned plastic bags and will charge 10 cents for paper bags in an effort to reduce plastic waste. But do bans and taxes like this really work?

Eleanor Putnam-Farr, Assistant Professor of Marketing, Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University • conversation
Jan. 30, 2024 ~5 min

Boulder strengthens rules against plastic bags – but do bans and fines actually reduce waste?

Retail stores in Boulder, Colo., banned plastic bags and will charge 10 cents for paper bags in an effort to reduce plastic waste. But do bans and taxes like this really work?

Eleanor Putnam-Farr, Assistant Professor of Marketing, Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University • conversation
Jan. 30, 2024 ~5 min


Laundry is a top source of microplastic pollution – here's how to clean your clothes more sustainably

Your washing machine is polluting the ocean.

Judith Weis, Professor Emerita of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University - Newark • conversation
Jan. 12, 2024 ~8 min

Glitter is ready-made microplastic pollution – time to ditch it this Christmas

Five reasons to avoid glitter, even on Christmas cards or baubles.

Kamran Mahroof, Associate Professor, Supply Chain Analytics, University of Bradford • conversation
Dec. 20, 2023 ~5 min

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