EEA briefings show reuse and recycling are key to tackling Europe’s waste problem and to foster a more circular economy

Improved circular and climate-friendly business models and policies to boost reuse and recycling, plus improved consumer awareness will help the European Union tackle the growing problem posed by plastic, battery, electronic and textile waste, according to two European Environment Agency (EEA) briefings published recently. Reuse and recycling are key to tackling Europe’s waste problem … Continue reading EEA briefings show reuse and recycling are key to tackling Europe’s waste problem and to foster a more circular economy →

Turning e-waste into precious metal is proving big business for one New Zealand start-up

Electronic waste is an increasing problem for all countries. Still too much ends up in landfill and there is a growing concern about the environmental impact. Debrin Foxcroft writes on the Stuff website from New Zealand about the efforts of one start-up in their country. What is the experience in your country? Treasure in … Continue reading Turning e-waste into precious metal is proving big business for one New Zealand start-up →

Mixing recycled plastic with asphalt to resurface roadways

Now with China refusing to accept recycled plastic, there is a need to find alternatives. While there are probably other countries willing to accept recycled products, increasingly there is a need to find domestic solutions. Ashley Halsey III writes in the Washington Post about mixing recycled plastic into asphalt to resurface roads, using a technology … Continue reading Mixing recycled plastic with asphalt to resurface roadways →

Comparing German and Norwegian recycling efforts

Norway's bottle deposit scheme has been getting a lot of celebratory press. But some of the figures being quoted may be misleading. Germany has long had a similar scheme. Brigitte Osterath discusses which works best in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Plastic bottle recycling champion: Norway or Germany? At the end of … Continue reading Comparing German and Norwegian recycling efforts →

In praise of recycling

We live in challenging times and countries now are trying to figure out how to cope with new tariffs that are affecting many traded goods. Daniel Cooper, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan explains in an article on The Conversation website that recycling could reduce imports and lessen the impact of … Continue reading In praise of recycling →

How Germany needs to deal with its waste problem

No doubt we all have to increase our efforts to reduce waste. Maximiliane Koschyk writes on the Deutsche Welle website about latest developments in Germany. How is it in your country? Germany's waste problem: Recycling isn't enough The EU wants to outlaw single-use plastic items. But Germany's Environmental Minister Svenja Schulze thinks recycling efforts … Continue reading How Germany needs to deal with its waste problem →

Recycling LEDs

Flemmich Webb writes for Guardian Professional about the innovative efforts underway to redesign LED lighting in order to improve how they can be recycled. LED bulbs are hard to recycle but using Wi-Fi to connect them with a supplier could solve the problem. Light bulb moment: redesigning LEDs for recyclability LED bulbs are hard to … Continue reading Recycling LEDs →