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Recycling

All articles tagged with #recycling

Humanoid robots join UK waste plants as firms tackle staffing gaps
technology22 days ago

Humanoid robots join UK waste plants as firms tackle staffing gaps

UK waste firms are turning to robotics and AI to cope with hazardous, high-turnover work and staff shortages (turnover around 40%). At Sharp Group's Rainham plant, a humanoid robot called Alpha is being trained to pick and sort rubbish using VR data and AI vision. Other companies such as TeknTrash/AMP and GlacierAI are marketing AI-powered sorting and air-jet guidance. Industry experts say automation is increasingly necessary and should upskill workers to maintain and oversee robots, though concerns persist about job losses and working conditions.

via BBC|
#ai#automation#recycling
Laser-sealed paper packaging could make glue obsolete
tech1 month ago

Laser-sealed paper packaging could make glue obsolete

German researchers from Fraunhofer institutes have developed Papure, a laser-based process that seals paper packaging without glue or plastic by irradiating paper with a CO laser to convert lignin, cellulose, and other components into fusible cleavage products that act as a natural adhesive. The system analyzes paper chemistry to identify sealable types, then tunes laser intensity and seam design; in tests, a 2 cm seal is strong enough to support 44 pounds, and a lab-scale unit is being built to reach about 10 packages per minute by September.

via The Verge|
#fraunhofer#laser-sealing#paper-packaging
Bottle-to-Drug: Bacteria Convert Plastic Waste into Levodopa
science1 month ago

Bottle-to-Drug: Bacteria Convert Plastic Waste into Levodopa

Researchers engineered E. coli to convert PET-derived terephthalic acid into levodopa, a Parkinson’s drug, via a two-step metabolic pathway in a lab proof-of-concept using sequential bacterial strains; not yet scalable, but it demonstrates a potential plastic-to-pharma recycling route and eco-friendly drug production, building on earlier work turning PET into other medicines. Published in Nature Sustainability with EPSRC funding.

via ScienceAlert|
#biotechnology#levodopa#pet
Texas court lets ExxonMobil defamation suit proceed against California AG over recycling remarks
legal3 months ago

Texas court lets ExxonMobil defamation suit proceed against California AG over recycling remarks

A U.S. District Judge in the Eastern District of Texas ruled that ExxonMobil can pursue a defamation suit against California Attorney General Rob Bonta over his remarks about plastic recycling, including the claim that only 5% of plastic is recycled and that Exxon lied. The judge rejected Bonta’s official-immunity defense for a campaign email sent to Texas residents, allowing the suit to move forward against him, while dismissing the environmental groups’ claims.

via Yahoo|
#defamation#exxonmobil#legal
Pizza Boxes Are Recyclable: Debunking the Grease Myth
environment3 months ago

Pizza Boxes Are Recyclable: Debunking the Grease Myth

New findings backed by WestRock for the American Forest & Paper Association show greasy pizza boxes are recyclable; grease is typically only 1–2% by weight and does not significantly affect recycled cardboard, with cheese and tape best removed. Local guidelines vary, so check your area and consider advocating for updated rules; to maximize recycling, split the box or use a liner to reduce grease exposure.

via Tasting Table|
#american-forest-and-paper-association#environment#grease
Woman Reveals Clever Hack for Empty Medicine Bottles
environment4 months ago

Woman Reveals Clever Hack for Empty Medicine Bottles

Jessica Thomas McGhee shared a creative hack for repurposing empty medication bottles by cleaning and filling them with salad dressing, highlighting the benefits of reducing plastic waste and reusing containers for various practical uses, especially for people with chronic illnesses. The idea received positive feedback and inspired others to find innovative ways to reuse these bottles instead of discarding them.

via Yahoo|
#diy-hacks#environment#medication-bottles
Americans Urged to Embrace Foreign Customs for Change
world4 months ago

Americans Urged to Embrace Foreign Customs for Change

The article shares various cultural differences and customs observed by travelers in different countries, highlighting practices like high-quality school meals in France, efficient recycling in Germany, healthcare systems in Italy, social hospitality in Turkey, and cycling infrastructure in Germany, among others, and invites readers to consider adopting some of these customs in the US.

via BuzzFeed|
#cultural-norms#healthcare#public-behavior
India's Solar Boom Faces Hidden Waste Challenge
environment5 months ago

India's Solar Boom Faces Hidden Waste Challenge

India's rapid solar energy expansion has significantly reduced reliance on coal, but the lack of a comprehensive plan for managing solar panel waste poses environmental risks, with projections indicating a substantial increase in waste over the next decades. Developing dedicated recycling infrastructure and regulations is crucial to prevent environmental harm and sustain the country's renewable energy progress.

via BBC|
#environment#india#recycling
EU Targets Cheap Plastic Imports Amid Recycling Plant Closures
environment5 months ago

EU Targets Cheap Plastic Imports Amid Recycling Plant Closures

The EU is planning to implement checks on imported plastics and other measures to support its struggling recycling industry, which has faced closures due to low demand and cheap imports, including from China. Proposed measures include monitoring imports, establishing a single waste market, and clarifying chemical recycling rules to promote circularity and protect domestic producers.

via Financial Times|
#environment#eu#imports