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Graphene-based packaging presented as first truly biodegradeable and compostable alternative to plastic

Envirotec Magazine

UK biotech company Toraphene says it is preparing to unveil the world’s first truly biodegradable, compostable and commercially viable alternative to plastic packaging. It’s because they need specific manmade conditions to biodegrade, and many degrade into microplastics, which contaminate our oceans and food chain for centuries”.

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Navigating Europe’s restriction on microplastics

Envirotec Magazine

Legislators in Europe seem to be keeping a closer eye on microplastics, with the introduction of European Union (EU) Regulation 2023/2055 in September being a recent milestone. While microplastics are useful, scientists, governments and consumers now recognize them as a major threat to the environment.

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Biodegradable vs Compostable: Understanding The Difference

Green Business Bureau

Biodegradable vs compostable: Addressing the confusion. Biodegradable vs compostable: Which material would you choose ? As the bio-based industry grows, we’re witnessing an increasing number of biodegradable and compostable claims. As such, this Green Business Bureau article defines biodegradable and compostable.

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Biodegradable Luminescent Polymers for Reducing Electronic Waste: A Bright Idea for a Greener Future

GreenTech Gazette

Enter biodegradable luminescent polymersa dazzling innovation that promises to light up our lives while leaving a lighter footprint on the planet. Luminescent Polymers: The Glow-Up We Need This is where biodegradable luminescent polymers come in. Traditionally, these materials are derived from petrochemicals and are not biodegradable.

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A few thoughts on tackling microplastic pollution

Envirotec Magazine

Dr Rosa Busquets is Associate Professor in Analytical Chemistry and Forensics at Kingston University What are microplastics, why are they such a problem and what can be done to reduce the pollution they cause? From studies involving organisms, we know that microplastics can cause inflammation, which is a common step in many diseases.

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Tannins: A possible answer to microplastic pollution?

Envirotec Magazine

Scientists at UBC’s BioProducts Institute find that if you add tannins to a layer of wood dust, you can create a filter that traps virtually all microplastic particles present in water, according to recently reported research. When tested in mouse models, the process was proved to prevent the accumulation of microplastics in the organs.

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Study points to microplastics’ greater presence in faeces of IBD sufferers

Envirotec Magazine

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET, used in bottles and food containers, was one of the most common sources of microplastic identified in the study (image caption: Kevin Doncaster , CC BY 2.0 A potential link between microplastics and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been flagged up by a scientific study released in late December.