Indonesia cracks down on imported plastic waste
Faced with an unending stream of unrecyclable waste from wealthy nations, Indonesia has tightened its regulations and has begun to make progress in stemming the plastics flow.
Circular economy & zero waste
Scientists create novel edible, biodegradable food packaging to replace plastic
The developers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong believe the new bacterial-cellulose-based material can offer a sustainable, easily available and non-toxic solution to plastics in food packaging.
New Zealand bans thin plastic fruit and vegetable bags in world first
The new ban will also extend to plastic straws and cutlery, as the nation’s government expands its campaign against single-use plastics, which began in 2019 when it banned plastic carrier bags.
E.U. requires smartphones to have user-replaceable batteries by 2027
For “portable batteries” used in devices such as smartphones, tablets, and cameras, consumers must be able to “easily remove and replace them,” reducing costs for consumers and reducing e-waste.
Minnesota enacts right-to-repair law that covers more devices than any other U.S. state
Companies that sell in Minnesota but don’t offer customers or independent repair shops the materials needed to fix devices within 60 days can be found in violation of state law.
Apple will use 100% recycled cobalt in batteries by 2025
In addition, all Apple-designed printed circuit boards will use 100% recycled tin soldering and 100% recycled gold plating by 2025, and magnets in its devices will be made completely of recycled rare earth materials.
Colorado passes first U.S. right to repair legislation for farmers
Colorado farmers will be able to legally fix their own equipment next year, with manufacturers including Deere & Co obliged to provide them with manuals for diagnostic software and other aids.
Five U.S. states are repaving roads with unrecyclable plastic waste
Pilot programs are ongoing in Missouri, Pennsylvania, Virginia, California, and Hawai’i are already seeing promising results.
England to ban single-use plastic cutlery and plates
Similar bans have already been made in Scotland and Wales, while the U.K. government banned single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds in England in 2020.
TerraCycle Global Foundation has cleared 581 tons of waste from Thai waterways in last two years
The Foundation partners with local community and government organizations to stop waste from reaching the ocean, where it degrades and becomes harder to capture and recycle.