Today’s Solutions: November 09, 2024

Are mushrooms Mother Nature

Are mushrooms Mother Nature's built-in solution to plastic pollution?

In a world overrun with plastic waste, the potential hero may arise from the humble realm of fungi. With between two and four million species worldwide, these often overlooked creatures hold possibilities ranging from alternative building materials to cleansing environmental toxins. Scientists Read More...

Unidentified little boy holds a plastic bottle

Nigerian school accepts plastic bottles as payment for tuition fees

A school in Nigeria is taking an innovative approach to tackle the problem of plastic waste while also promoting education. The Morit International School, located in Ajegunle, a densely populated area of Lagos, Nigeria, has launched an initiative that allows students to pay their tuition fees Read More...

Close up to blue plastic pipe background, PVC pipes stacked in warehouse

Ingenious chemical process turns non-recyclable PVC into useful materials

Chemical advances continue to bring new materials into the domain of recyclability, and new research from a team at the University of Michigan has targeted one of the most difficult to reuse. The researchers created a method for transforming scrap PVC (polyvinyl chloride) into useable items, which Read More...

The greater wax moth wax worm Galleria mellonella

Wax worm spit: a promising weapon in the fight against plastic pollution

The saliva of wax worms, the beehive-infesting larvae of wax moths, has incredible power. Apparently, it contains enzymes that quickly degrade plastic bags— an item we all know plagues our planet. The enzymes—the first known to break down polyethylene in a matter of hours at room Read More...

Origami-style water bottle can

Origami-style water bottle can fold to fit in your pocket

If you push down on certain points on the new reusable water bottle called the Origami Bottle, the container collapses, folding up so it can easily fit in your bag or even squeeze inside your pocket. The design makes use of a unique geometrical structure that’s sturdy when unfolded—and holds Read More...

Check out this handy guide on

Check out this handy guide on plastic recycling. Thanks NPR!

The recycle step of “reduce, reuse, recycle” is not always as easy as it seems. With categories and policies varying based on city and disposal company, it is not always easy to know what can be recycled where. Luckily, NPR has created an easy to use guide to help the average consumer navigate Read More...

New effort to tackle global oc

New effort to tackle global ocean plastics crisis uses blockchain

Household supplies multinational SC Johnson has announced a pioneering partnership with Plastic Bank, a plastic waste recycling startup, to tackle the threat of global ocean plastics by increasing the rate of recycling across less privileged areas of Read More...