Jenga launches game made from recycled fishing nets; China tightens regulations on agricultural “plastic mulch;” first nationwide coffee cup recycling program launched in Ireland; Dunkin’ Donuts finally moves away from styrofoam in New England; and more.
Jenga has just released ‘Jenga Ocean,’ made from recycled plastic fishing nets. Photo from DLmag.
INITIATIVES
China plans to tighten regulations on “plastic mulch,” which farmers use maintain soil moisture in farmland. Every year, China uses about 2 million tons of plastic film to cover around 1,200 square miles of farmland. The technique has helped with agricultural yield in China’s north and west, but it contributes greatly to plastic pollution. Read more on Thompson Reuters Foundation News.
Amsterdam is testing a “bubble barrier” to help remove plastics from the city’s canals. The system captures trash beneath the surface of the water by creating a curtain of bubbles. This is just a small-scale test, but the start-up behind the technology hopes to deploy it elsewhere. Read more on Reuters.
Irish packaging company Zeus has launched the country’s first nationwide infrastructure for recycling every type of paper coffee cup. The initiative will divert up to 200 million coffee cups from landfills throughout Ireland. Read more on Irish Tech News.
Turkish-German airline SunExpress will begin replacing plastic products used on their flights with recyclable materials in January 2020. This will help offset the 10-million pieces of single-use plastic that the airline goes through every year. Read more on AA.com.
PACKAGING
Mattel has committed to achieving 100% recycled, recyclable, or bio-based plastic materials in both its products and packaging by 2030. The company originally announced its Environmental Sustainable Sourcing Principles in 2011, and it currently sources 93% of its paper and wood fiber materials from recycled or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) content. Read more on Environment and Energy Leader.
Dunkin’ Donuts is FINALLY working to phase out their styrofoam cups. In New England, the company has begun switching from polystyrene foam cups to double-walled paper cups made with Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard-certified paperboard. This transition means that nearly 70% of the Dunkin’ system has been switched, according to the company. Read more on Environment and Energy Leader.
Cadbury is trialing its first paper packaging trial in New Zealand. The wrapper marks the first time that the company has used a paper material free from laminates, foils, or plastic. Read more on FoodBev Media.
PRODUCTS
Jenga has come out with ‘Jenga Ocean,’ a version of the game made from recycled fishing nets. In addition to being made from 100% recycled materials, the game also included some educational factlets to help spread awareness about the problem of ocean pollution. Find out more on DLmag.
ÉCAL graduate Anna Piasek has created a compostable, modular takeaway bento box. The containers can be subdivided into smaller parts, and is both food-safe and waterproof. Read about the product on Dezeen.
TECHNOLOGY
Researchers have developed a process for steam cracking plastic waste to create new plastics. The gasses that are produced by this process can be used in the production of new plastics, helping to keep a circular economy. Read more on The Chemical Engineer.
OTHER NEWS
A new study has found that mealworms can digest plastic and excrete chemicals that had been added to the plastics - such as flame retardant - without any of it bioaccumulating up the food chain. The researchers are already thinking through ways that these mealworms can be deployed en masse to break down plastics in developing countries and use them as feed supplement for farms. Leave it to nature to clean up our mess! Read more on the San Francisco Chronicle.
A recent study by PwC shows that 65% of people across China, Germany, India, the U.K. and the U.S. want to work for sustainable employers. This means that companies with an environmental conscience may have an easier time collecting the right talent. Read more about the study on Forbes.