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UNCOVERED: 7 - Caught on Camera

In 2025, a UK nuclear waste site began installing railway sleepers made from about 90 kilograms of recycled plastic each - their claimed lifespan was 50 to 100 years

A UK nuclear waste site has installed composite railway sleepers made from recycled plastic. These durable sleepers offer a sustainable alternative to traditional hardwood materials. Work is also progressing on the Southern Trench Interim Membrane project at the Repository. This project involves placing a new protective layer over historic trenches.

The Economic Times · Sep 10

In 2009, the US Army built recycled plastic bridges for a 71-ton Abrams tank. 1 year later, Fort Eustis opened 2 thermoplastic railroad bridges to replace old timber too

Recycled plastic composite material offers a durable and sustainable alternative for bridge construction. The world's first vehicular bridges made from recycled plastics were built at Fort Bragg in 2009. Fort Eustis also replaced timber railroad bridges with thermoplastic structures in 2010.

The Economic Times · Sep 9

In 2019, Ontario's Trent University created green parking from 35,640 pounds of recycled plastic. 7 years later, the system can hold 64,627 gallons of stormwater on campus

Trent University implemented permeable grid paving for parking needs. This innovative system uses recycled plastic and improves stormwater management. The university's new parking solution offers ecological benefits and reduces environmental impact. It also provided approximately one hundred additional parking spaces on campus.

The Economic Times · Sep 9

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In 2021, Australia's RMIT helped Coles put 900,000 pieces of soft plastic into concrete. 1 year later, another Coles development was set to reuse 6.5 million pieces through Polyrok

RMIT University developed Polyrok, a plastic aggregate from recycled soft plastics. This innovative material was first used commercially at a Coles car park in Horsham. A larger application was announced for a Coles supermarket development at Cobblebank. This project recycled over 6.5 million pieces of soft plastic through Polyrok.

The Economic Times · Sep 9

In 2021, Victoria used 2,100 tons of recycled road base to rebuild the Hume Freeway. 5 years later, its 850-metre stretch had turned waste into a longer-lasting road too

Plastic bags and glass bottles usually end up in the trash. In Australia, some became part of a highway instead. Engineers rebuilt an 850-meter section of the Hume Freeway using more than 2,100 tons of recycled material. The mix included plastic bags, glass bottles, printer cartridges and reclaimed asphalt. The…

The Economic Times · Sep 9

In 1997, Salem cleared seven buildings to make way for a new courthouse square; Marion County diverted 13,726 tons of demolition debris and separately salvaged 661 tons of bricks for local reuse

In 1997, Marion County showcased a remarkable effort in diverting demolition waste. The initiative recycled over eighty percent of construction debris, with local businesses transforming salvaged materials into new roadbed and metal products. Residents also engaged in the initiative by reclaiming bricks for community projects, resulting in significant cost savings…

The Economic Times · Sep 9

This Hawaii startup is making boats from volcanic rock for the military

A Hawaii-based company is taking a unique approach to boat manufacturing by combining recycled plastic with volcanic rock-derived basalt fibre. Voltage Vessels, a startup based in Hawaii, has developed a material called ‘Eclipse X9’ which can be used in large-scale 3D printing and is being tested for marine applications. The…

The Times of India · Sep 9

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Petronas Lubricants, Tata Motors collaborate for pilot used lubricant recycling model

Petronas Lubricants India and Tata Motors have signed an initial pact for a pilot project. This collaboration aims to establish a structured and scalable used automotive lubricant recycling model. The initiative will support India's evolving Extended Producer Responsibility framework and circular economy ambitions. It will create an organized and traceable…

The Economic Times · Sep 9

Grape Waste Restores Slate Dumps: Spanish team turns mine fines soil-like; supports early land reclamation

Researchers have discovered innovative ways to utilize grape marc waste in enhancing slate processing residue. By incorporating grape marc compost and vermicompost, they significantly boosted nutrient availability and microbial activity. These enhancements led to better water retention and aggregation in the waste. Notably, the modified material began to display soil-like…

The Times of India · Sep 9

Recyclekaro partners with TMK for recycling facility in Uzbekistan

Recyclekaro will establish a facility in Uzbekistan for e-waste and battery recycling. This strategic collaboration aims to recover critical minerals from across Central Asia. Feasibility studies are currently underway to determine the facility's operational scale. This move aligns with India and Uzbekistan's vision for industrial cooperation. The partnership will accelerate…

The Economic Times · Sep 9

In 2023, Australia paved two suburban roads with 135,000 recycled coffee cups and glass bottles, cutting the asphalt’s carbon footprint by 24%

Australia is embracing sustainability by turning discarded coffee cups into road materials. In Penrith, New South Wales, a groundbreaking project resurfaced local roads with a recycled asphalt mixture, incorporating approximately 135,000 coffee cups and countless glass bottles. This innovative use of recycled content has led to a significant twenty-four percent…

The Times of India · Sep 9

Global Education Rankings: U.S. Hits Record Low in Reading While Multiple Latin American Nations Stumble

PISA 2025 posted record-low reading scores worldwide. See Latin America's ranking, Argentina's math collapse, and the literacy paradox behind it.

Latin Times · Sep 9

In 2021, Missouri added just 1% waste plastic to a two-mile road, that tiny share consumed 10 tons, equal to 750,000 soda bottles

In 2021, Missouri transportation officials discussed a road project that tested recycled plastic in asphalt pavement. Engineers from the University of Missouri, Dow and MoDOT worked together to determine how single-use, polyethylene-based plastic waste could be incorporated into pavement mixtures. The real-world test took place on a two-mile section of…

The Economic Times · Sep 8

Florida turned scrubber waste into road base in 12 projects by 1989; 100,000 tons earned highly satisfactory ratings, transforming an industrial byproduct into useful road base

Florida utilized processed FGD scrubber material in twelve road-base projects between 1977 and 1989. This material demonstrated satisfactory performance and durability in stabilized road bases without freeze-thaw issues. Other states like Pennsylvania, Texas, and Ohio also successfully employed FGD scrubber material in road construction.

The Economic Times · Sep 8

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The Economic Times · Sep 8

In 2021, Shanghai used 6,000 milk bottles to fight plastic waste; the result became China's 1st plastic road, turning hard-to-recycle bottles into useful paving material

Shanghai’s “Milk Bottle Road” demonstrates how difficult-to-recycle plastic can be redirected toward useful infrastructure. Developed through a partnership between Dow and Shiny Meadow, the project used more than 6,000 used milk bottles and other plastic waste in a polymer-modified asphalt road at East China University of Science and Technology’s Xuhui…

The Economic Times · Sep 8

In 2023, Australia's Sydney put 120,000 glass jars and 200 tonnes of old asphalt on Clarence Street. 1 year later, its program recycled 670,000 glass jars into asphalt across the city

Sydney is using recycled materials in road renewal, giving glass jars and reclaimed asphalt a new purpose instead of sending them to landfill. A refreshed 1-kilometre section of Clarence Street used around 120,000 glass jars and more than 200 tonnes of reclaimed asphalt to renew over 8,000m² of road surface.…

The Economic Times · Sep 8

In 2024, Wales used 80,000 discarded diapers to build a road instead of sending 4 tons of waste to landfill

Carmarthenshire County Council has collaborated with Nappicycle to conduct a groundbreaking road trial. Thousands of used diapers were skillfully transformed into fibrous pellets designed for road surfacing. This pioneering initiative successfully diverted four tons of waste from overflowing landfills while ensuring the recycled material remained cost-effective. It exemplifies an innovative…

The Economic Times · Sep 8

In 2025, Nebraska put two million plastic bags into a 4,000-foot road; it became the state’s first recycled-plastic road

Nebraska put the equivalent of two million plastic bags into a 4,000-foot road in 2025, creating the state’s first recycled-plastic road. The project in South Sioux City blended recycled plastic with asphalt and reclaimed pavement. Researchers will track how the road handles traffic, cracking, moisture and Nebraska’s changing weather. The…

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The Economic Times · Sep 8

In 1990, New York City began recycling waste glass into street pavement. 5 years later, the city had reused 250,000 tons of glass in resurfacing projects across the city

New York City pioneered waste glass use in road construction between 1990 and 1995. Research examined crushed glass as an asphalt aggregate substitute since the late 1960s. Properly sized glass enhances pavement stability and friction, offering benefits. However, particle size and percentage limits address potential issues like stripping and glare.

The Economic Times · Sep 8

In 2019, Victoria's Wyndham City turned 199,000 recycled bottles into a 200-metre footpath. 1 year later, the project had reached 339 metres and delivered 1,700kg in carbon savings

Victoria’s Wyndham City turned 199,000 recycled bottles into a 200-metre footpath in 2019. The project showed how plastic waste could be given a practical second life through sustainable infrastructure. Within a year, the recycled footpath had grown to 339 metres. It also delivered 1,700 kilograms in carbon savings. The initiative…

The Economic Times · Sep 8

In 2022, Ontario's Durham Region used 400 tonnes of glass in a 3.6-km road pilot. 4 years later, it could reuse 240 tonnes of PET each year across Durham roads under its plan

Durham Region is testing recycled materials for road construction. Recycled glass and plastic will be used in a road rebuilding project. This pilot project compares new methods with conventional road building. Success could lead to widespread use of recycled waste in future road programs.

The Economic Times · Sep 8

In 2020, NTU used orange peel to recycle spent lithium-ion batteries; the process recovered about 90% of cobalt, lithium, nickel, and manganese from old cells

Researchers have found orange peels can recover metals from dead batteries. This method extracts valuable cobalt, lithium, nickel, and manganese efficiently. The process offers a sustainable alternative to traditional industrial chemicals. It connects fruit waste with the critical battery supply chain. This research presents a greener option for battery recycling…

The Economic Times · Sep 8

In 2019, Australia's Central Coast Council used 631,000 plastic bags, 117,000 bottles and 14,400 printer cartridges on a 600-metre road. 7 years later, the project remains a striking waste-to-road example across the region

Central Coast Council is now using recycled soft plastic and glass in road surfacing. This innovative product, Reconophalt, diverts thousands of tonnes of waste from landfills. A 600-metre road section can incorporate many plastic bags and glass bottles. Local soft plastics are collected and processed for use in these new…

The Economic Times · Sep 8

New York is building a $21.2 million bridge with recycled glass, 106 tons of waste will become part of the concrete

A bridge project in New York is pioneering the use of recycled glass in its concrete mix. This groundbreaking technique not only keeps waste out of landfills but also leads to a noteworthy reduction in carbon emissions. KLAW Industries has created this technology, converting unused glass into a sustainable cement…

The Economic Times · Sep 8

Meet Ryan Hickman, the California boy who started collecting neighbours’ bottles at 3 and had recycled about 1.6 million cans and bottles by 12

Ryan Hickman began recycling at age three, initially for money. His motivation shifted to environmental protection as he grew older. By twelve, he had recycled over 1.6 million items and founded Project 3R. This nonprofit focuses on recycling and environmental education for children. Ryan's efforts inspire sustainable living and hope…

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