A California study shows that the most commonly produced plastics that are littered in the environment are also the ones that absorb the most chemicals, a finding that poses a greater risk for marine animals and those that eat them. The absorption ability of these plastics continued for longer periods of time than previously thought. [...]
Plastic Cup Reduces Paper Waste at Landfills
January 21, 2013 By Leave a Comment
A major retailer is offering reusable plastic as a way to reduce paper waste. Starbucks, the large coffee chain, now has reusable plastic cups that customers can purchase along with their grande half-caf, double pump soy latte. Made out of 100% virgin polypropylene (PP), the plastic cups — in 12- and 16-oz sizes (tall and [...]
Combination of Polymer Films, Salt Keep Food Driest
October 26, 2012 By 1 Comment
Researchers in Germany have experimented with thin films, made from polymers, used in food packaging and mixed them with different types of salts to discover which composites absorb the highest amount of water. The scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials in Bremen, Germany, used films from the following polymers: polypropylene [...]
Polymers + Algae = Plastics
August 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Former graduate students from the University of Georgia have developed a way to make plastics out of algae that have industrial, retail, and commercial applications. Ryan Hunt became infatuated with algae while he was working on a research project at the school that aimed to use algae to remove phosphorous and other chemicals from wastewater. [...]
Durable Plastic Can Be Environmentally Friendly, Too
June 11, 2012 By 1 Comment
When many research efforts are trying to find ways to make plastic more biodegradable, researchers in Israel are finding ways to make plastic super-hard. These new plastics could replace steel, be produced less expensively, and help the environment. Prof. Moshe Kol of Tel Aviv University’s School of Chemistry is developing super-strength polypropylene — one of [...]
Plastic Money Gains in Canada
March 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Canadians have really taken to plastic money. Last year, Canada introduced $100 bills made out of plastic. At the beginning of this week, the country added on plastic $50 bills. The $20 bill will be introduced later this year, and the $10 and $5 bills will make their debuts by the end of 2013, according [...]
BPA-Free Plastics Still Leach Chemicals
March 11, 2011 By 7 Comments
Apparently, you can’t rest easy with your BPA-free plastic bottles and containers. As indicated by a study published last week, commercial plastic packaging in the form of bottles, containers, and wraps release chemicals with estrogenic activity. Estrogen molecules are female hormones that can disrupt sex development in animals if not regulated in the environment. Bisphenol-A [...]
