Waste Not
The latest in the growing number of efforts directed at reducing, repurposing and ultimately eliminating waste in all its forms.
New Beer Made from Treated Wastewater Highlights Potential of Water Reuse
The San Francisco Bay Area-based pilot project reallocated 2,000 gallons of treated water from a residential high-rise to become more than 7,000 cans of beer.
The Problem with Recycling, Part 3: Reducing Confusion and Boosting Consumer Confidence
This is the third in a three-part series covering key opportunities to turn ‘the plastic-recycling problem’ into a sustainable, circular plastic economy. In parts one and two, we reported how the plastic-recycling system is broken and how to improve it; and how to increase the use of recycled plastic materials in new products.
First Liquid-Heat Engine Can Upcycle 70% of the World’s Waste Heat Into Clean Energy
Cross-Posted from Cleantech. Luminescent’s circular solution uses isothermal processes to capture and store waste heat, transforming a previously inaccessible resource into zero-waste power.
New Guide Details Tangible Solutions for Retailers to Move ‘Beyond the Bag’
Cross-Posted from Product, Service & Design Innovation. Playbook highlights solutions from the Consortium to Reinvent the Retail Bag that drive near-term, positive environmental impact and cost savings from eliminating single-use plastic bags.
The Problem with Recycling, Part 2: Increasing Recycled Content in New Products
This is the second in a three-part series covering key opportunities to turn “the plastic recycling problem” into a circular economy for plastics.
Not Their Waste, But Still Their Problem: How Alaska Is Managing an Influx of Global Marine Debris
Cross-Posted from From Purpose to Action: Building a Sustainable Future Together. A multi-stakeholder, community-based collaboration and an innovative model of plastic-waste recovery are helping to clean up the Gulf of Alaska.
Truly Closing the Loop: The ‘Recyclable’ vs ‘Circular’ Distinction
Cross-Posted from Chemistry, Materials & Packaging. The term 'recycling' has become ubiquitous in our daily lives, but the nuances between ‘recyclable’ and ‘circular’ are often misunderstood. Understanding the distinction between the two is crucial in achieving a sustainable future.
The Ugly Company Raises $9M to Grow Market, Capacity for Upcycled Fruit Empire
The dried fruit snack maker is on a mission to put a dent in the massive produce waste issue on farms in California’s Central Valley, while teaching consumers the value in ‘food waste.’
The Problem with Recycling, Part 1: How Can We Fix the Broken Plastic-Recycling System?
This is the first in a three-part series in which we break down key barriers and opportunities to turn ‘the plastic recycling problem’ into a circular plastics economy.
Tomorrow’s Circular, Low-Carbon Economy Is Being Built Today
Cross-Posted from From Purpose to Action: Building a Sustainable Future Together. The supply of recycled plastics must be more robust to meet global demand. A mix of mechanical and advanced recycling technologies can provide tangible solutions, create efficiencies and increase scale.
Apparel Brands Drive Circular Fashion Future with Recyclable, Renewable Fabrics
Cross-Posted from Chemistry, Materials & Packaging. Pangaia and Filippa K are the latest to unveil collaborations with circular textile innovators — fueling progress toward closing the loop on fabric waste.
Alaska’s Move to Eliminate Inflight Plastic Reveals Issues Within US Recycling Infrastructure
Cross-Posted from Chemistry, Materials & Packaging. The airline quickly hit a roadblock in the unrecyclability of paper cups with an integrated plastic lining necessary for beverage service.
England’s Partial Single-Use Plastic Ban Greeted with Lukewarm Response
Starting in October, the country will phase out a variety of single-use plastic products; but most think it does not go far enough to tackle pollution and waste.
BIER Guides Beverage Companies on Water Circularity
The Guide provides easy-to-follow processes, as well as important considerations when pivoting focus from on-site techniques to off-site circularity endeavors.
Will Mill Be a Game-Changing Solution to Home Food Waste?
Cross-Posted from Behavior Change. The Mill system offers a practical, circular solution for reducing home food waste and the resulting, climate-changing greenhouse gases — with minimal effort on the part of users.
Trending: Reports Call for Fashion to End Its Wicked Ways
Cross-Posted from Supply Chain. New reports by Zero Waste Europe and Planet Tracker slam the industry for piecemeal attempts at sustainability and circularity; where it fails to adopt more holistic approaches and take greater responsibility for environmental and social issues, investors must help move the needle.
Food Donation Improvement Act Brings Measured Change, Opportunity to Reduce US Food Waste
Updated federal guidelines that reduce donor liability could begin to change the conversation around what is acceptable to consumers, especially as much-needed food begins to make its way to those who need it most.
Turning Plastic into Possibility: How Closing the Loop in Asia-Pacific Is Building Waste Infrastructure for the Future
Cross-Posted from From Purpose to Action: Building a Sustainable Future Together. The region continues to face waste challenges. But with the right solutions, Asia-Pacific has a huge opportunity to turn the tide — finding more value in post-consumer plastic and closing the loop on waste.
Moving Toward a Circular Economy for Packaging
A circular economy for plastics is achievable in our lifetime, though it will require consumers and manufacturers to work together. Whether companies decide to keep it in-house or partner with like-minded third parties, an investment in our future now will lead to more profitable operations and create relentless forward progress.
The New Reuse Economy: What’s Working (and Not Working) on the Quest for a Packaging Waste-Free Future
While recycling and lightweighting packaging strategies are helpful, they still align more with a linear rather than circular economy. Here, Upstream CEO Matt Prindiville lays out his organization’s vision for a truly plastic waste-free future.
