Notícias

Ana Catalina Suarez Pena, senior director of strategy and innovation at the Global FoodBanking Network, warned on Monday that organic waste generated by food loss is driving greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating global warming, noting that food systems have been included in every COP agenda since COP28.

Speaking to Anadolu at the Zero Waste Forum, Suarez highlighted what she called a stark global paradox. At the same time, 2.5 billion people are facing food insecurity across the globe. There is a paradox — on one hand we are losing and wasting food, on the other, people are facing hunger and food insecurity, she said, noting that food banks serve to interconnect these two urgent conversations.

Suarez noted that around 20 percent of global methane emissions come from organic waste, with approximately 77 percent of that organic waste comprising food waste. She stressed that when a food bank prevents one ton of food from being wasted, it also prevents 2.6 tons of CO2 emissions from being generated. She added that reducing organic waste is the fastest way to meet climate commitments while making food available for people in need.

The senior director said ways to prevent food waste will be addressed at COP31 under the zero waste package. The most important step we need to take is to prevent food loss and waste from the outset, because the best waste is the one you never generate. Our expectation from COP31 is that the waste agenda takes a very important place, she said, explaining that discussions with the COP31 presidency seek to establish incentives and a clear agenda for reduction.

Michael Oko, vice president of communications and marketing at the Global FoodBanking Network, told Anadolu that preventing food waste also prevents the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. He noted that food waste accounts for around 8-10 percent of all emissions, making it a major share of the total, yet only about 4 percent of global climate finance is currently direc…

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Food waste drives methane emissions, experts warn

La localidad zaragozana de Fuentes de Ebro se ha convertido en el nuevo epicentro de la sostenibilidad en la región con la puesta en marcha de una infraestructura de vanguardia que promete dar que hablar. Veolia ha decidido apostar fuerte por este territorio con una instalación que combina el tratamiento de residuos orgánicos y la producción de energía limpia, lo que supone un soplo de aire fresco para la economía circular local que tanto se busca potenciar hoy en día.

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Piensa en el último smartphone, tablet o smartwatch que dejaste de usar. Lo más probable es que no esté en un contenedor de reciclaje ni en manos de un nuevo propietario; Está guardado en un cajón.

En nuestra encuesta a 4,000 consumidores estadounidenses, descubrimos que lo más común que hacía la gente con un dispositivo que había terminado era no tener nada en absoluto: el 39% simplemente lo almacenaba. El reciclaje y la reventa, mejores resultados para el medio ambiente, cada uno representaba solo alrededor de 1 de cada 10 dispositivos. Tirar los dispositivos a la basura reclamó otro 9%.

Financiado por la National Science Foundation, nuestro equipo multidisciplinar combinó nuestra experiencia en inferencia causal, sostenibilidad y ciberseguridad para trabajar en la enredada cuestión de qué hacen las personas con sus productos electrónicos de consumo cuando terminan de usarlos. Utilizamos modelos estadísticos para conectar lo que la gente dice —es decir, su conocimiento y actitudes declaradas— con lo que realmente hicieron.

Dos fuerzas principales mantienen los dispositivos en el cajón. La primera es la ansiedad por los datos. Las personas que temían que reciclar o revender un dispositivo comprometiera sus datos tenían un 14% y un 9% más de probabilidades de almacenarlos en su lugar.

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La idea de Bruselas es que los fabricantes asuman la responsabilidad total sobre el achatarramiento

Hace solo unas horas que Bruselas aprobaba una de las normas que más puede afectar al automóvil en los próximos años. La intención del nuevo Reglamento de Vehículos Fuera de Uso (ELVR) es que la responsabilidad del achatarramiento de los coches recaiga sobre los fabricantes de automóviles, que, lógicamente, deben asumir también el coste integral del reciclaje.

La intención de Bruselas es regular las emisiones de los automóviles durante todo su ciclo de vida útil, es decir desde la cuna (fabricación) hasta su reciclaje, pasando por las emisiones derivadas de su utilización, esta es precisamente la parte del ciclo de vida que recae sobre el propietario.

Bruselas quiere obligar a las marcas a que durante la fabricación de los coches nuevos utilicen un 15 % de plástico reciclado en un plazo de 6 años y un 25 % a los 10 años, que a su vez debe proceder de otros coches viejos ya reciclados. Una serie de exigencias que afectan incluso al proceso de desmontaje de los coches que debe ser sencillo, fácil y rápido para reducir el tiempo necesario en el proceso.

Los pellets de plástico reciclado van a ser imprescindible en la fabricación de automóvles

A nivel macroeconómico, la adaptación del automóvil a esta nueva normativa podría tener un coste para el sector de unos 1.000 millones de euros, que, de acuerdo con Bruselas, en parte estaría financiado por el ahorro en la compra de materias primas gracias al reciclaje y en las multas por emisiones de CO2.

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While its biggest backers concede the idea takes time to get your head around — it is remarkably simple. Here’s how it works.

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Scientists have demonstrated a new plasma-based process that converts wet coffee waste into high-performance biochar without any pre-drying treatment. The technology could address one of the biggest challenges in biomass recycling while creating a valuable source of renewable fuel.

Developed by researchers at the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), the system converts moisture-rich coffee grounds into carbon-rich biochar in less than two minutes. The resulting material delivers an energy content comparable to anthracite coal, offering a potential pathway for turning difficult waste streams into useful resources. Researchers believe the technology could help reduce waste disposal costs while expanding opportunities for decentralized waste-to-energy systems.

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Summer is here and many gardeners are likely looking for ways to keep their plants healthy. Warmer weather can be a challenge for gardens as it often leads to droughts and stress on roots. If your garden is struggling to cope in the heat, there is one ingredient that could help and as an added bonus, it can keep pests away too.

Speaking on behalf of Coffee Friend, former royal gardener Jack Stook has shared one of his favourite kitchen staples that can be reused to protect your garden in the summer. Coffee grounds can be reused in multiple ways around your garden – and Jack said one of these is to deter pests.

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He said: “Coffee grounds can be sprinkled around the base of bird feeders. The idea is that the smell might deter squirrels. People say that this method can help.”

However, use it lightly – if you sprinkle too much, it will just turn into a sludgy mess as soon as it rains.

Coffee grounds are also great for compost. Jack added: “They [coffee grounds] are great to use in compost, they break down well and add to the mix, so that’s definitely something worth doing. You can also add them directly to garden beds. If you’re producing a lot of grounds, they can even act a bit like a mulch and get worked into the soil.”

However it’s not one size fits all when it comes to adding coffee grounds to the garden. Because coffee is acidic, not all of your plants will appreciate it.

“You don’t really want to go overboard using coffee grounds on plants that don’t like acidic conditions. Most garden soil can handle small amounts just fine, but if you’re applying large quantities, definitely stick to acid-loving plants. Otherwise, you’re better off disposing of the grounds in the compost.”

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Backyard chickens are having a moment in the gardening spotlight after a popular post showed how they can help turn organic scraps into rich compost.

On Instagram, Welsh gardener and permaculture grower Huw Richards (@huwsgarden) detailed the role chickens can play in composting, writing, Did you know that chickens are expert compost makers?

Richards video shows chickens scratching through dirt and weeds in a backyard area of his garden.

Rather than a gardener turning the pile by hand, the hens are the ones moving through the organic material and helping mix it as they go. They can remove pests from the soil, pick out weed seeds, and work through organic material.

Chickens can be more than egg layers; they can also become active members of a backyard garden system.

Composting is one of the easiest ways to turn food scraps, leaves, and other yard waste into something useful, and chickens can help speed up the process by scratching, breaking up material, and mixing it.

When done properly, that can mean less waste heading to landfills and healthier soil for future crops.

Stronger soil often leads to healthier plants and better harvests. Growing your own food can also help cut grocery bills, especially when produce prices rise. Even better, many home gardeners have said that freshly picked fruits and vegetables taste better than store-bought options.

On top of that, gardening can support both mental and physical health by getting people outdoors, encouraging movement, and providing a stress-relieving routine.

The response on social media was overwhelmingly positive, with users expressing enthusiasm and appreciation for the concept.

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Trapped compactor truck.
Photos: Chijioke Iremeka

Chijioke Iremeka is a Senior Correspondent at Punch Newspapers with 19 years of professional experience. He has reported across multiple media houses in Nigeria, covering beats such as health, features, real estate, and insurance, and has received numerous journalism awards for his work. Chijioke’s reporting demonstrates extensive newsroom expertise, editorial judgment, and a dedication to truth, integrity, and excellence in journalism.

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