USA – new polymer product from soy oil, not petroleum

Hair-care products, wound-care dressings and drug encapsulation are among the potential uses of new, soy-oil-based polymers known as "hydrogels," developed by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in Peoria, Ill. ScienceDaily reports that ARS chemists Sevim Erhan and Zengshe Liu developed the soy-oil-based hydrogels as a biodegradable alternative to the synthetic …

Mais »

Scotland – Government action on carrier bags

new group to consider how to reduce the number of single use carrier bags and promote bags for life was announced in Scotland. Cabinet Secretary for the Environment Richard Lochhead made the announcement following a meeting with major retailers where he promised to work closely with retailers to tackle Scotland‘‘s …

Mais »

UK – plastic bag policy ‘a diversion‘

Plans to ban or charge for single-use plastic bags are a diversion from the real environmental issues, one of the government‘‘s own advisers has said. BBC reports that waste and recycling expert (and RRF Trustee) Professor Chris Coggins said such a government policy allowed the supermarkets to pass on responsibility …

Mais »

USA – Pepsi redesigns bottles, cutting plastic by 20%

Pepsi is introducing its lightest 500ml flavored non-carbonated beverage bottle yet. The company has reduced the plastic in this bottle by 20%, which will eliminate approximately 20 million pounds of waste from the environment. The lighter bottles will begin hitting store shelves this month. Environmental Expert reports that the new …

Mais »