Waste Round-up
Latest news from around the globe
News
Items are derived from a range of sources, including websites and printed publications from around the world, and from contributions we receive. We rely on the accuracy of the sources used. WasteNet is happy to receive updates, corrections or opinions.
Plastic-Munching Bugs turn waste bottles into cash |
Newly discovered bacterial alchemists could help save billions of plastic bottles from landfills. The Pseudomonas strains can convert the low-grade PET plastic used in drinks bottles into a more valuable and biodegradable plastic called PHA. PHA is already used in medical applications, from artery-supporting tubes called stents to wound dressings. The plastic can be processed to have a range of physical properties. However, one of the barriers to PHA reaching wider use is the absence of a way to make it in large quantities. The new bacteria-driven process – termed upcycling – could address that, and make recycling PET bottles more economically attractive. |
Roadside Waste is Pure Gold Dust |
A PhD student has developed a way of turning roadside waste into valuable metals and making a tidy profit in the process.Until now tiny fragments of precious metals emitted by our cars were swept up and sent to landfill. But Angela Murray, a student at the University of Birmingham, has developed a complex technique to extract platinum, rhodium and palladium from roadside waste. High metal prices mean this could be a lucrative business - an ounce of platinum currently sells for £750, the same quantity of rhodium is worth £2,500. |
Christchurh beings roll-out of wheelie bins for city's new Kerbside Collection |
Christchurch residents will receive the first of their three wheelie bins for the city’s new Kerbside Collection for domestic waste from November. The new 240-litre recycling bin will be delivered to residents from 10 November to 19 December, with the 140-litre rubbish and 80-litre organics (food and garden waste) bins being delivered from 26 January to 27 March 2009. |
Big Increase in Recycling by Manukau Residents |
Recycling volumes have increased by 27 per cent in Manukau following the introduction of the new recycling service. The big increase in recycling by Manukau residents is being announced at the official opening today of Visy Recycling's new $21.9 million material recovery facility (VisyMRF) at Onehunga. The VisyMRF is one of the most sophisticated recycling facilities in the southern hemisphere, using the latest technology and outclassing anything that is in Australia. |
Music Festival Jazzes Up Recycling Efforts |
St Louis, Missouri - Jazz and blues fans struggling to see the benefits of recycling can learn how to make a difference with "Three Simple Ways to Recycle" later this month during the Old Webster Jazz & Blues Festival on Saturday September 20. The Jazz and Blues festival will debut 30 trash cans and 30 recyclable containers designed to encourage music fans to drop their plastic bottles and aluminiun can in designated bins as they groove to the music. |
How to Recycle Idle 747's? Turn them into cheap lodging |
It was only a matter of time before old planes would be recycled into something, well, kind of cool. The Jumbo Hostel, a converted Boeing 747 within walking distance to the Stockholm-Arlanda Airport, will begin taking reservation in December for travellers wanting to sleep in a real, live cockpit (on a grounded jet). The old plane has been remodeled into 25 rooms with 85 beds. |
GM plans to dump use of landfills |
DETROIT — In an attempt to green up the planet, and its image, General Motors will confirm today plans to make half of its 181 plants worldwide landfill-free" by the end of 2010. That means nothing from their manufacturing processes would end up in a landfill. |
Someone has been sifting through YOUR rubbish |
Whangarei residents could save almost $2 million a year and slash the district's waste by 20,000 tonnes if they recycled more and used a compost bin. The finding comes after the Whangarei District Council hired Waste Not Consulting to rummage through 200 rubbish bags plucked at random from the district. |
Conquering World's Waste Mountains |
Here are some facts and figures about the world's waste: World household rubbish output is projected to rise to about 3 billon tonnes a year by 2030 from 1.6 billon tonnes in 2005 - or about 1 kg per person per day in 2005, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. |
Residents Wake to Rubbish Art |
Hastings, Flaxmere and Havelock North residents woke to find large 'art installations' had mysteriously popped up in their neighbourhoods this morning. Far from beautiful, the art is an ugly reminder that we can all Keep Hastings Beautiful by not dropping litter. |
