These new surface vessels are both smaller and autonomous. This means they are more efficient, safer and perhaps most impressively, significantly less fuel hungry than traditional manned surface vessels. According to this press release, these new Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) will consume up to 95% less fuel supporting international ambitions for net zero global emissions in the marine industry.https://www.sea-kit.com/post/press-release-fugro-cements-uncrewed-evolution-strategy-with-order-for-two-sea-kit-usvs
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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