Every year, billions of used alkaline batteries end up in landfills, leaking harmful metals like zinc and manganese. Instead of just chucking them away, scientists found a clever way to give these batteries a second job. They turned battery scrap into tiny particles that can purify dirty water under
A new team effort in Germany is turning the way we think about plastic waste. The project, called Smart Pyrolysis, brings together a chemical company and a research institute to make plastic recycling smarter. Instead of burning or dumping plastic, the plan is to heat it in a controlled way so
Short‑chain and medium‑chain chlorinated paraffins, common in plastics and metal‑working fluids, have become a hot topic because they stick around in the environment, travel far, and can build up in living things. Long‑chain variants are less studied but may also be a threat. In China’s Guiyu, a tow
A Texas federal judge has cleared the way for ExxonMobil to sue California’s attorney general, Rob Bonta, over remarks about the company’s plastic recycling claims. Judge Michael J. Truncale ruled that Bonta cannot rely on official immunity for certain statements, including a campaign email sent to
Ever wondered what happens to all that shrink wrap after it's used? It turns out, it can be turned into something new and useful. A special process called STRAP is making this possible. It takes old shrink wrap, full of inks, glue, and even bits of paper, and turns it into clean, clear plastic. Thi
Alachua County is doing pretty well with recycling, ranking fifth in Florida in 2024. But there's still a big problem: people putting the wrong stuff in recycling bins. This messes things up and makes recycling more expensive. So, what can you actually recycle? Bottles, cans, cardboard, and paper a
Plastic waste is a big problem. It's everywhere. In our homes, in our streets, and even in our oceans. By 2050, there could be 40 billion tons of plastic waste in the oceans. That's a huge amount! So, finding ways to recycle plastic is really important. Scientists have found a new way to recycle po
In Hammond, there's a unique way to keep Christmas trees from becoming trash. Instead of tossing them out, people can drop them off at specific spots. These trees get a new purpose: helping the environment. The idea is simple. After the holidays, residents can take their trees to certain places. Vo
The holidays are over, and it's time to tidy up. But before you toss everything, think about recycling. Old electronics, wrapping paper, and even Christmas trees can find new life with a little effort. Christmas trees are a big part of the holiday. But what happens when the season ends? Many places
Ever thought trash could fuel tech? Eggshells, often discarded, are now key in making green, touch-sensitive devices. These e-skins detect pressure and touch without needing extra energy. The magic? A blend of eggshells and gelatin. This mix crafts flexible, single-electrode triboelectric nanogener
