Only 22% of e-waste is recycled, according to the United Nations. A new generation of robots powered by artificial intelligence is looking to change that https://t.co/eks2S3gJrj ...

Industry Trend - Western countries are seeking to reduce reliance on China's rare-earth supplies [1] - Recycling is presented as a viable alternative to replicating China's rare-earth supply chain [1]

I'm here at FabScrap and I'm going to find out what happens to all of the textile waste that comes from hundreds of brands in New York City. Fabcrap is a small fashion nonprofit in Brooklyn that resells and recycles leftover fabric. And they've saved millions of pounds of textiles from landfills.Walking in, the first thing I noticed was an enormous pile of black trash bags stacked up to the ceiling. The Fab Scrap staff call this Mount Everest. All of these bags are filled with pre-consumer textiles.Stuff li ...

Environmental Concerns & Industry Practices - The plastic industry adopted the resin identification code, which resembles the recycling symbol but often misleads consumers about recyclability [3][5][6] - Only plastic types one and two are regularly recycled, despite the presence of the resin identification code on other plastic types [4] - Approximately 98% of single-use plastic production relies on petrochemicals rather than recycling [10] - Microplastics, resulting from plastic breakdown, contaminate food, water, and air, posing health risks [12][13] Consumer Behavior & Misinformation - A 2019 survey indicated that most Americans mistakenly believe the resin identification code signifies recyclability [5] - Consumers are often unaware of the difference between the recycling symbol and the resin identification code, leading to unintentional environmental harm [1][7] - Billions of plastic bottles are discarded annually, with most unlikely to be safely reused [8] Solutions & Recommendations - Individuals should prioritize reusing items like metal bottles and fiber bags to reduce plastic consumption [15] - Consumers should encourage companies to implement reuse programs, similar to deposit-refund systems for glass bottles [16][17] - Stakeholders, including consumers and business leaders, must advocate for responsible corporate decisions regarding plastic use [17]

[Music] I'd like you each to put your hands out in front of you, palms facing down, and take a look at the veins in your hands. Your circulatory system is transporting oxygen and nutrients to all parts of your body and it's also transporting microplastics. This is microplastics in your blood and in many ways this is horrifying.We think about the public health effects that we will see. Long-term studies are underway to determine what is the effect on human health. But initial studies are dire.There are conne ...

[Music] I am a Gen Z. And let's be real, we are the generation that built mood boards on Pinterest and saved the planets mode with LEDs. Of course, we're not just scrolling mindlessly. We're exploring purposefully. From traveling to diving into fandoms, from the latest tech obsessions to finding aesthetic room in sport, we have done it all. But recently, my scroll stopped at something that changed the way I live. Sustainability. Sustainability isn't a far away buzz word anymore. It's becoming a lifestyle. I ...

Environmental Impact - Millions of tons of waste end up in the oceans annually, harming marine life and the environment [1] - Plastic waste can persist in the sea for up to 400 years [4] - A large floating island of plastic exists in the ocean and is growing [6] Waste Management & Recycling - Recycling is an effective way to reduce waste [2] - Proper disposal of rubbish in recycling bins is crucial [3] - Participating in beach and ocean cleanup organizations is beneficial [3][4] Plastic Reduction & Innovation - Reducing the use of single-use plastic bottles, bags, and packaging is important [4] - Companies should reduce plastic production [5] - Supporting and investing in the development of new, biodegradable plastics is necessary [5] Prevention & Awareness - Avoiding placing bins near the sea can prevent pollution [5] - Plastic pollution kills fish and other sea animals [6] - Immediate action is needed to protect the seas and the future [7]

How can we liter tissue paper into a recycling bin? I unbelievably asked my friend one day after lunch. There were only two types of rubbish beans outside our cafeteria. Recycling beans and other waste beans. Why not? Isn't tissue paper recyclable? She answered in amazement, seeming that I had cracked her belief system down. Calming myself down, I explained to her patiently, "You know, since you have wiped your mouth with a tissue paper, the tissue paper is no longer clean, but is polluted by the germs and ...

Environmental Impact of Basketball Waste - The industry produces 40 to 50 million basketballs annually, enough to fill an auditorium 10 times over [2] - A staggering 95% of basketballs end up in landfills or are burned [2] - Discarded basketballs decompose into toxic microplastics, polluting soil, water, and air [3] Consumer Behavior and Waste Generation - A survey at YCIS indicates the average student owns almost two basketballs, with some owning six or more [4] - This consumption pattern contributes to a global waste problem [4] Proposed Solutions for Sustainability - Encourage consumers to extend the lifespan of their basketballs [6] - Promote repairing damaged basketballs instead of discarding them [6] - Support recycling or donation programs, such as Wilson's Rebound, to repurpose old basketballs [6] - Advocate for reduced consumption of new basketballs [6]

Materials Science & Sustainability - Waste wood scraps, after molecular-level modification, can be transformed into high-performance building materials [1] - Modified wood scraps have the potential to replace plastics, aluminum, and carbon fiber in vehicles and gadgets [1]