From seabirds to sea turtles: the fatal toll of plastic revealed

A new study pinpoints the deadly thresholds of plastic ingestion for marine life.

Clean v green: ‘disgust wins out’ over eco ideals when doing laundry, study finds

Fear of being seen as unclean drives overwashing of clothes at expense of environment, Swedish scientists say

Microplastics found in every human semen sample tested in study

Chinese scientists say further research on potential harm to reproduction from contamination is ‘imperative’

Tubi is the largest free movie and TV streaming service in the US. We are not available in Europe due to changes in EU laws.

UK ad watchdog to crack down on ‘biodegradable’ and ‘recyclable’ claims

Consumers were angry and dismayed when they found out the truth about these terms, says an ASA study

Why have we not yet solved the challenge of plastic degradation by biological means?

The invention of fossil fuel–derived plastics changed and reshaped society for the better; however, their mass production has created an unprecedented accumulation of waste and an environmental crisis. Scientists are searching for better ways to reduce plastic waste than the current methods of mechanical recycling and incineration, which are only partial solutions. Biological means of breaking down plastics have been investigated as alternatives, with studies mostly focusing on using microorganisms to biologically degrade sturdy plastics like polyethylene (PE). Unfortunately, after a few decades of research, biodegradation by microorganisms has not provided the hoped-for results. Recent studies suggest that insects could provide a new avenue for investigation into biotechnological tools, with the discovery of enzymes that can oxidize untreated PE. But how can insects provide a solution that could potentially make a difference? And how can biotechnology revolutionize the plastic industry to stop ongoing/increasing contamination?