Is plastic trash in the middle of the ocean becoming a new kind of island habitat?

Read the full story at Anthropocene Magazine.

Giant patches of plastic floating in the ocean have become home to an experiment in a new hybrid ecosystem, made up of stowaway species from coastal environments and organisms that dwell in the middle of the Pacific. Meet the “neopelagic” world.

First quantitative study on bread waste maps the upside of surplus goods

Read the full story at Bakery and Snacks.

A doctoral project by Swedish researcher Pedro Brancoli found that the global food system is a major driver of myriad environmental impacts, particularly those related to climate change, biodiversity loss, and depletion of freshwater resources, all of which are aggravated by the considerable amount of food wasted throughout the supply chain.

The true costs of toxic materials

Read the full story at GreenBiz.

Potential chemical impacts during the use phase are important considerations to include in material decisions, and these impacts must be considered in weighing the true cost of a product. As the safer materials movement matures, we must evolve to include a more comprehensive and just consideration of chemical impacts and the true cost of materials. This means considering impacts throughout the full life cycle of a product including extraction/refining, chemical manufacturing, product manufacturing and end of life. The bottom line is that some products can be sold cheaply because someone else is carrying the burden of the true cost.

The 3 most impactful circularity trends in 2021

Read the full story at GreenBiz.

Over the last year, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of rounding up the week’s most influential and eye-catching circular headlines. From single-use plastics bans to an upcycled food certification, it’s been a momentous year for the circular economy, supply chain shenanigans and safety concerns notwithstanding.

Much like the snow outside, the slow but steady progress of circularity shows no signs of stopping. So with a healthy dose of cocoa in my cup and a proverbial rear view mirror in my gaze, I’m delighted to share my final hot takes for 2021. Here’s my vote for the year’s three most impactful trends in circularity:

Energy-efficient isn’t enough, so homes go ‘net zero’

Read the full story in the New York Times.

Demand for residences that produce as much energy as they consume is being spurred by climate concerns, consumer appetite and more affordable solar technology.

Getting started on ESG reporting

Read the full story at Construction Dive.

Thoughtful guidance is coming, but there are steps you can take now to meet investors’ appetite for ESG reporting.

The future is full of zombie garbage

Read the full story at Hakai Magazine.

As the coast erodes, decades-old trash is coming out of the ground.

Recycling CO2 into methanol: Decarbonizing the cement sector

Read the full story at Azo Materials.

New research in the journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry Engineering shows a way of constructing a carbon recycling plant (CRP) to create methanol using the developing electrochemical reduction (ER) of carbon dioxide.

Vestas looking to scale up blade recycling partnership solution offering

Read the full story at reve.

Vestas, the global leader in sustainable energy solutions, has been delivering a blade recycling partnership solution for several wind farm operators across the USA. Vestas is currently carrying out this service in the USA and is open to offering the solution in more regions where local recycling infrastructure is robust, and customer demand can be established.

New project to upscale polyester recycling opportunities

Read the full story in Resource.

The Full Circle Textile Project – Polyester was launched on 9 December, tasked with the upscaling of polyester chemical recycling technologies.

The project will see several companies harnessing the infrastructure – including CuRe Technology, Garbo, gr3n and PerPETual – in order to manufacture recycled material from post-consumer waste for use within the fabric and garment industry. It will build on the existing work of the Full Circle Textiles Project, launched back in September 2020, which specialises in the production of ‘new man-made cellulosic fibres and eventual garments from cotton and cotton-blend textile waste’.