Global warming

The unintended consequences of replacing plastic carrier bags with paper bags

This is the unintended consequences of replacing plastic carrier bags with paper bags when it comes to disposal. Increased energy, emissions, vehicle journeys and more waste. The problem is not plastic itself, the problem is responsible recycling. Plastic has had a ban because of all of the harmful things it can do to the environment,

Not so difficult after all: microwaves target PET

Contaminated and composite plastics in the waste stream – such as food trays, opaque bottles and textiles containing polyester – are currently in the ‘difficult’ or even ‘impossible’ to recycle category. Much of this material ends up in landfill or incineration after being discarded, which removes it from the materials cycle for ever. But what

‘Tipping point’ risk for Arctic hotspot

A rapid climate shift under way in the Barents Sea could spread to other Arctic regions, scientists warn. The Barents Sea is said to be at a tipping point, changing from an Arctic climate to an Atlantic climate as the water gets warmer. A conference in Norway heard that the Kara Sea and the Laptev