Important Innovations

Pioneering Pilot by Mondi Group Source:  Mondi Group Less Plastic Waste by Innovative Re-Use Mondi Group, the global packaging and paper company, has created flexible packaging from recycled plastic used and discarded by consumers.  They've developed a usable pouch prototype that contains 20% post consumer waste, considered one of the nastiest forms of plastic waste that is polluting the planet. Circular Economy The company, which lists headquarters in London, Vienna and Johannesburg, says this brings them one step closer to a circular economy.  The program is called Project Proof and it's an Ellen McNamara Pioneer Project that Mondi is leading.  The plastic waste comes from mixed household waste.  And the flexible pouch that they've produced from it is suitable for items like detergent. Proof of Concept Mondi Group says this demonstrates it is possible to use unclean and raw, post consumer recycled content to create flexible, new packaging.  M...

On World Ocean Day, a Rising Tide of Plastic Pollution Source:  Monterey Bay Awash in Plastic On World Ocean Day 2019 there is growing evidence that the global problem of ocean pollution from plastic waste is getting worse.  By latest estimates there are 5 trillion pieces of plastic waste in global oceans.  Every year another 8 million metric tons of plastic are dumped in the ocean.  Once pristine ocean areas from California to Spain are facing pollution problems.  For a detailed news blog, go to Important Innovations Collection: Global Oceans Awash in Plastic : World Ocean Day Source:  Monterey Bay Aqarium - Monterey Shoreline Once Pristine Locations from Monterey, CA to Spain's Basque C...

Environmental Wake-Up Call: New Scientific Discovery in Remote Pyrenees Mountains Source: Stock Image of Pyrenees Mountains Plastic Particles Inhalable in the Air Plastic particles found in the Pyrenees Mountains suggest they are now travelling in the air.  Scientists from the Ecolab in France and the University of Strathclyde in Scotland have found them in the air in a very remote area of the Pyrenees Mountain between France and Spain.  It suggests that plastic is not just polluting the ocean but also the air we breathe. Microplastics Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic waste, produced when plastics breakdown.  Many of the fragments found by the scientists were small enough to be inhaled.  Very few people live in the remote mountainous area that they focused on indicating that the microplastics blew in with the wind from a populated area 60 miles away. Findings and  Conclusion for the Environment Over a five month period, the scien...

Israeli Innovation New Plastic with No Toxic Waste Scientists at Tel Aviv University have developed a green, biodegradable plastic derived from microorganisms that feed on seaweed.  There is no toxic waste and it can be recycled into organic waste.  This is a marine resource converted into green bioplastic.  Unlike plant based bioplastics, it doesn't require arable land and fresh water.  Israel, China and India have a shortage of both.  For a news blog on this innovation breakthrough, go to Important Innovations Collection: Green, Biodegradable Plastic : Israeli Innovation - New Plastic with Zero Toxic Waste Source:  Tel Aviv University's Non-toxic Plastic Plastic that's Good fo...