TomKat Global Solutions has developed a new thermal container for the food cold chain – the KoolPak. Currently the most commonly used container for this purpose is expanded polystyrene (EPS) containers. However, polystyrene is being phased out because it is single use and is creating a significant environmental waste problem. The KoolPak has superior thermal performance to a polystyrene container, is multi use, and is fully recyclable. See https://www.amgc.org.au/project/koolpak-advanced-manufacturing/
A 2023 start-up aiming to make recycling convenient and accessible to all is about to go national. The aim is to provide people with a home pick-up option for some of the "trickier" items the normal recycling bins can't handle - including soft plastics. https://wastemanagementreview.com.au/recyclesmart-goes-national/
A Kyushu University study (2021) estimated there were 24.4 trillion pieces of microplastics in the world's upper oceans or roughly 30 billion 500-ml plastic water bottles. Microplastics are tiny, toxic and very hard to remove from the environment. But researchers in the US have discovered that some Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) can attract and bind microplastics, making it easier to remove them from the environment. And the N in NADES is key - natural - in this instance, think extracts from plants. https://www.research.uky.edu/news/researchers-develop-eco-friendly-magnet-battle-microplastics
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