Plastics can give off toxic gases when they degrade - so not a great housing material. But what if you could make plastic waste benign while harnessing its benefits (lightweight, strong, fire retardant). This would not only reduce landfill, but also reduce the amount of concrete blocks used in a house or school with a corresponding reduction in concrete-related GHG emissions. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/the-crisis-of-plastic-waste-pollution-has-a-promising-new-solution/ar-AA189Fl6
The apparel industry (production) accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions - more than annual aviation and maritime shipping combined. Worse, this resource is not recycled. It is estimated 90% of apparel is disposed of through incineration or landfill. Part of the challenge is waste stream sorting. But the world's first Smart thread, using RFID technology, could help make the invisible lives of discarded clothing more transparent, trackable and useful. https://circlolink.com/circlolink-news/f/intro-by-chris-hurren-institute-frontier-materials-deakin-uni
A new type of fire-resistant cladding, developed by RMIT University researchers and using 83 per cent recycled glass, is currently being commercialised.Results of the long-running project are being patented by Livefield and heading towards manufacture, according to a statement from the university.The solution – panels of which have been installed at RMIT’s Bundoora campus (pictured) – uses recycled glass, plus plastic binders and fire-retardant materials.The cladding overcomes previous issues of brittleness attached to glass-based claddings, and has met the key AS1530.1 standard for non-combustibility, said research lead Associate Professor Dilan Robert.More information here:https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/recycled-glass-based-cladding-nears-manufacture
IdeaSpies
Sabra Brock
Narelle Hooper
Madeline Cunningham
