The apparel industry (production) accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions - more than annual aviation and maritime shipping combined. Worse, this resource is not recycled. It is estimated 90% of apparel is disposed of through incineration or landfill. Part of the challenge is waste stream sorting. But the world's first Smart thread, using RFID technology, could help make the invisible lives of discarded clothing more transparent, trackable and useful. https://circlolink.com/circlolink-news/f/intro-by-chris-hurren-institute-frontier-materials-deakin-uni

Plastics can give off toxic gases when they degrade - so not a great housing material. But what if you could make plastic waste benign while harnessing its benefits (lightweight, strong, fire retardant). This would not only reduce landfill, but also reduce the amount of concrete blocks used in a house or school with a corresponding reduction in concrete-related GHG emissions. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/the-crisis-of-plastic-waste-pollution-has-a-promising-new-solution/ar-AA189Fl6

For Type 4 & 5 plastics, upcycling is hard. It requires two stages, temperatures of over 200°C, lots of energy and the process can produce undesired by-products.Researchers have identified a one stage, faster process, requiring less energy and temperatures of around 70°C. The process also minimises unwanted by-products and still produces desired chemicals, fuels and other high-value materials from the plastic waste.https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2023/03/plastics-to-fuel-in-one-quick-step-using-minimal-energy/

Steel plate produced from recycled steel via an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) has a significantly lower emissions profile than steel produced utilising a more traditional oxygen furnace. But as with all recycling industries, you may not be able to use the next generation of product in all the same applications as the first generation. The off-shore wind industry is an example where virgin steel plate is used to ensure maximum strength and durability. But that may be about to change.https://electrek.co/2023/01/20/nucor-most-sustainable-steel-us-offshore-wind-industry/

A new 100% water-free textile dying process is about to be commercially trialled in Geelong, Australia. The process can still deliver vibrant colours, anti-odour, fire-retardancy, moisture wicking and other features of modern coated textiles - but requires absolutely no water, 86% less energy and 88% less chemistry.  https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/commercial-trials-expected-in-2023-for-australian-developed-waterless-dyeing-process

Based on the methods of Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, and refined by Indian engineer Shubhendu Sharma, Tiny Forests are a small-scale regeneration method with a big impact. By densely planting a mix of native species at four different levels (shrubs, sub-tree, tree and tall canopy) tiny forests can grow 10 times faster than lineal, single species forests and provide 100 times greater biodiversity. Since 2015, when the Netherlands established their first Tiny Forest, there are now over 100 in existence. With the Tiny Forest and Miyawaki movements picking up all over the world.