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Recycling
Artificial intelligence for smarter recycling: the plastics pollution challenge Artificial intelligence for smarter recycling: the plastics pollution challenge

In 2019 only 9% of world plastics was recycled, and 50% still buried in landfills. With pollution growing dramatically, AI-powered robots are being tested to improve the sorting process and cut its carbon footprint. Experts stress the potential of the new technologies, but issue a call to industry players: “For this innovation to be effective, we need your support”.

September 2023
Circularity for all? "There is a real risk of it becoming a privilege for the rich". Circularity for all? "There is a real risk of it becoming a privilege for the rich".

"There is a real risk of circularity becoming a privilege for the rich,” warns Chris Patermann, father of the bioeconomy. In Spain and Italy, two projects are testing new solutions to tear down the barriers hindering the uptake of a sustainable approach and fostering social inclusion in poor areas.

October 2022
Recycled construction waste: building a more sustainable future Recycled construction waste: building a more sustainable future

The European construction industry is working towards producing high-quality materials from recycled waste, enhancing the sector’s sustainability and reducing its environmental impact

October 2018
Bioplastics: use and misuse Bioplastics: use and misuse

The prefix “bio” for plastics doesn’t mean that they are all easily degradable. Confusion over words often means people don’t recycle their waste properly

October 2017
High-tech and low-cost solutions to handle urban waste High-tech and low-cost solutions to handle urban waste

Innovations in waste management systems need new regulations for the management of sustainable landfills

September 2016
Biomass: a green source of energy? Biomass: a green source of energy?

A wider use of waste and an accurate evaluation of the context are crucial to improving the sustainability of one of the most important sources of renewable energy in Europe

December 2015
When urban waste become bioplastics When urban waste become bioplastics

Bacteria may be the key to produce useful bioplastics from the gasification of urban waste

March 2014
Champions of Waste Reduction Champions of Waste Reduction

14 years ago, the region of Lahti in Finland has implemented a model of integrated waste management. As a result the people of Lahti were able to increase their rate of recycling to more than 90%. 

February 2014
Bitumen roofing can be recycled… but isn’t Bitumen roofing can be recycled… but isn’t

Why there are challenges in exporting a viable bitumen recycling process throughout Europe

September 2013
When recycling equates with quality raw materials When recycling equates with quality raw materials

Recycled materials are often of lower quality than the materials from which they were derived. Now the cradle-to-cradle recycling concept has been applied to carpets to deliver high-quality recycled material. 

September 2013
Ralf Otterpohl: a second life for unsuspected nutrient-rich waste Ralf Otterpohl: a second life for unsuspected nutrient-rich waste

By being smarter about reusing our daily human waste, and turning it into a resource, it is now possible to reduce unsustainable fertiliser production

July 2013
Sorting plastic waste: a magnetic game Sorting plastic waste: a magnetic game

Plastic recycling is becoming ever more so sophisticated, but these technologies may not be rapidly adopted

June 2013
Can enamels’ environmental impact truly be reduced? Can enamels’ environmental impact truly be reduced?

Recycling the toxic fluoride by-products from the ceramic and enamel industry into high-quality reusable material reduces the process’ environmental impact, but their end of life disposal remains problematic.

June 2013
How soon could car seats enter the 3D comfort zone? How soon could car seats enter the 3D comfort zone?

New 3D textiles made of recyclable polyester fibres could contribute help cars be easier to recycle. But recycling technology has yet to progress in separating seat material from other car components.

May 2013
Forever recyclable novel plastic thanks to old tyres Forever recyclable novel plastic thanks to old tyres

Recycling of tyres is a potentially economically sustainable enterprise providing an ingredient to make a kind of plastic for ever recyclable. But Europeans first need to overcome barriers to adoption.

April 2013
Gara Villalba: Tracking mobile phone recycling rate to improve them Gara Villalba: Tracking mobile phone recycling rate to improve them

Multifunctional mobile devices like the smartphone contain small quantities of valuable materials, yet most are not recycled. Something needs to give.

April 2013
Turning tyres into gas for energy and new, valuable materials Turning tyres into gas for energy and new, valuable materials

Tyre recycling represents an untapped opportunity, that may prove a success if processing costs do not become prohibitive

April 2013
Daniel Ribera: turning food-soiled packaging into safe compost Daniel Ribera: turning food-soiled packaging into safe compost

Composting instead of incinerating or landfilling is a promising way that has until now been hampered by the presence of chemicals in packaging. 

March 2013
Food nets vanishing without a trace Food nets vanishing without a trace

Scientists are creating compostable versions food nets to be used with compostable products to ensure that, at the end of their life, they serve the purpose of helping to grow food, thus closing their life cycle loop.

February 2013
Cleaning oil spills with paper mill sludge Cleaning oil spills with paper mill sludge

Millions of tons of paper industry waste could soon be reused into a green solution to mop up oil or chemical spills.

February 2013
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