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Spain, Recycling, Environment
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".
“If I just look at my courtyard , three of my neighbors have an electric car" , says Christian Patermann, long-time program director at the European Commission and now internationally known as the “father of the bioeconomy”.
Biomass: a green source of energy?
Biomass: a green source of energy?
Bioenergy represents two-thirds of the energy produced from renewable sources in Europe, though biomass sustainability is not taken for granted.
When urban waste become bioplastics
When urban waste become bioplastics
Each year, the European Union produces three billion tonnes of waste. This equates to six tonnes of solid waste for every EU citizen, according to Eurostat. A major challenge is findings ways to reduce and reuse a large amount of such waste .
Screening eco-innovation level
Screening eco-innovation level
Going green is one of the fastest growing trends, particularly in industry. But smaller size companies are often left wondering how best to become more environmentally friendly .
How soon could car seats enter the 3D comfort zone?
How soon could car seats enter the 3D comfort zone?
Vehicles seats are normally made of polyurethane foam, a thick material that is expensive to recycle and ends up in dumping sites or being incinerated.
Forever recyclable novel plastic thanks to old tyres
Forever recyclable novel plastic thanks to old tyres
Tyres are well suited for recycling. They are easy to collect and do not require any costly sorting process.  However, in Europe, still only about 50% of the tyres are recycled .
Gara Villalba: Tracking mobile phone recycling rate to improve them
Gara Villalba: Tracking mobile phone recycling rate to improve them
Gara Villalba, who is a chemical engineer and a professor at the institute of environmental science and technology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona , has tracked the flows of materials to see how recycling rates could be improved.
Turning tyres into gas for energy and new, valuable materials
Turning tyres into gas for energy and new, valuable materials
Europe's tyre waste production is 3 million tonnes per year. Currently 65% to 70% of used tyres end up in landfills. Not only are they causing environmental damage, but a loss of added value in the form of new products that recycling can generate .
Food nets vanishing without a trace
Food nets vanishing without a trace
Potatoes, oranges, onions and shellfish; all are packaged in flexible and sometimes colourful nets. These are mainly made of polyethylene, the most common plastic. The problem is its biodegradability is low.
José Manuel Soto: "Turning tyres into ecological rubber"
José Manuel Soto: "Turning tyres into ecological rubber"
More than 3.3 million tonnes of used tyres were disposed in landfills in 2010, according to the European tyre & rubber manufacturers’ association.
Revamping nanotubes
Revamping nanotubes
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are set to become an important material for the future. That’s because they are light, robust, and highly conductive, both electrically and thermally whilst still being chemically stable.
Waste models as green crystal balls
Waste models as green crystal balls
By 2030, two planets might not be sufficient to sustain human activities. Estimates suggest that we are currently using resources equivalent of 1.5 planets . And the trend is going upwards.