EXPLAINED: 10 | Vintage Vibes

A Mexican entrepreneur began melting discarded plastic into wall and roof panels; within three years his startup had built 500 rooms and secured contracts for 300 homes

In a remarkable daily effort, workers in Mexico convert plastic waste into robust building panels, driving change for impoverished families. Spearheaded by the social enterprise EcoDom, this eco-friendly solution tackles pressing issues of pollution and inadequate housing. Informal waste collectors benefit significantly from improved purchasing deals, and this sustainable model…

The Times of India · Aug 29

In 2024, England turned old fishing nets into a 16-metre footbridge; the 3.5-tonne structure needs smaller foundations and less maintenance than a conventional bridge

Old fishing nets seldom find a second life. But in Kent, England, the nets are being turned into something much more ambitious. The used nets have been transformed to make a 16-metre-long footbridge to carry people over a marina entrance with minimal environmental impact during construction. Media reports from 2024…

The Times of India · Aug 29

Waste-to-energy plants to come up at four major urban centres across Haryana; MoUs inked

Haryana will establish four integrated waste-to-energy plants in major urban centers. These facilities will process 5,000 tonnes of waste daily and generate 50 MW of energy. The plants are expected to become operational by October 2028, following the Solid Waste Management Rules. Financial assistance will be provided by the Union…

The Economic Times · Aug 29

Meet Delaney Peterson, the Florida student who tested recycled foamed glass as a potential habitat for oysters

A Florida student's experiment uses recycled foamed glass for oyster reef restoration. This lightweight, porous material offers a potential new surface for young oysters to settle. Oyster reefs are vital for coastal ecosystems and shoreline protection. Delaney Peterson's research investigates waste reuse and marine habitat creation simultaneously. Her project received…

The Times of India · Aug 28

Five-month clean-up of illegal waste dump near River Cherwell completed

Over five months, teams from Acumen Waste Service removed an estimated 22,704 tonnes of rubbish.

Evening Standard · Aug 28

Old mattress at home? Know how to dispose of it safely, 6 easy ways to reuse, donate or recycle it and signs it’s time to replace It

Disposing of old mattresses calls for responsible actions. Instead of roadside dumping or burning, think about donating, reusing, or employing certified recycling services. Your local municipal corporation may even provide options for bulky waste collection. Remember, most mattresses have a lifespan of seven to ten years, and if you wake…

The Economic Times · Aug 28

World’s second-richest country sends 70 tonnes of used clothes to Malaysia every week. Here’s why

Singapore sends up to 70 tonnes of unwanted clothes to Malaysia every week under a textile recycling partnership. The garments, collected through Cloop’s recycling bins, are transported to Life Line Clothing in Port Klang, where they are sorted for resale, repurposing or disposal. The weekly volume has doubled in two…

The Economic Times · Aug 27

‘Forever chemicals’ surge during pilot of Thames Water plan to combat drought

Exclusive: utility company wants to draw off tens of millions of litres of water a day from Thames and replace it with treated effluent

The Guardian - UK · Aug 27

1.3m plastic bottles collected in a day in global volunteer ocean cleanup

Ocean Conservancy says last year’s cleanup collected 13.9m pieces of rubbish from beaches and rivers worldwide

The Guardian - UK · Aug 26

In 1998, Israel closed the Hiriya landfill after decades of waste had formed a 60-metre mound; years later, methane wells, trees and trails helped transform the site into the centrepiece of a 2,000-acre park

Hiriya landfill, once a sprawling heap of trash in Israel, ceased operations in 1998, paving the way for innovative environmental solutions. With comprehensive gas management strategies and landscape restoration initiatives, the site moved towards safety, battling issues like harmful emissions and slope instability. The establishment of methane wells significantly reduced…

The Times of India · Aug 26