Chemical Recycling is the process of converting plastic waste into raw materials to make new plastic, helping reduce the need for fossil fuels - the feedstock of most plastics. Chemical Recycling initially appeared to be a promising solution to the plastic waste crisis, however, concerns are growing about its effectiveness, environmental impacts and economic sustainability. The Reality Behind the Technology Chemical Recycling is proving to be a costly gamble. The most co

The substantial water and energy consumption of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) usage is acknowledged by many in the scientific community, yet public awareness of the ecological impact of AI usage is remarkably small. While certain social stigmas surround its usage - namely how it facilitates laziness or lack of creativity by the user - discussions around how AI damages the environment are rare outside of scientific debates. GenAI works by using large-scale machine

As the sun sets in Africa, 600 million people do not have a light to turn on. Despite having 60 percent of the world’s best solar resources, and over 30 percent of the essential minerals required for the world’s renewable technologies, the continent has received less than two percent of global renewable investment. Energy is the key to African development, but the expansion of renewables goes beyond reliable energy as it is indispensable for both climate resilience, and the f

Since the start of the industrial revolution in the mid-1700s, fossil fuels have played a pivotal role in the expansion of our economies. The Western world has developed off the back of carbon intensive non-renewable resources, yet the consequences of these actions are becoming increasingly evident, and it is the poor who are set to pay the disproportionate price. Our warming climate is unequivocally linked to our preceding and continued use of fossil fuels, and the evidence

Every day, we’re surrounded by plastic—it's in our homes, streets, and oceans. The global community has recognized the need for a change,...

The huge glass packaging industry could make a big impact in the transition to sustainable packaging systems. Glass packaging is a major...

When it comes to plastic, the world’s attention is drawn to recycling and removal, with these issues made particularly visceral through...

Voluntary carbon offsetting has exploded into an industry worth more than $2bn per year and may grow to $40bn per year by 2030. But does...

Did you know that one pack of single-use menstrual pads contains the same amount of plastic as 5 carrier bags? When we consider that, on...

One might think that Coca-Cola’s slogan 'A World without Waste' represents a truly green company trying hard to cut pollution,...

The wealthiest 10% of the world’s population are responsible for 50% of lifestyle-based carbon emissions. If they reduced their emissions...

In 2015, an ambitious global agreement was reached to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Has COP27 succeeded in keeping that goal alive?...

The Situation In recent years, brands such as H&M and Primark have advertised their clothing ranges made from recycled bottles. Brands...

First created for large playing fields, artificial grass can now be found in a whole range of businesses, schools, public roof terraces and private gardens. With more people aspiring to minimal maintenance lawns, the astroturf market has seen a huge increase. In fact it’s projected to reach 7 billion pounds by 2025 . But is it a good idea to be laying plastic all over our towns and cities? Aside from the fact it looks a little odd, there are many reasons astroturf is best avo

The devastating effects of coal-fired power stations on both environmental and human health means they are being decommissioned at an...

INEOS is a chemical giant, in the top 5 of the world’s largest chemical producers. It relies on fracking to produce ethylene and other...

We can't all live our lives without planes in the sky, but what might we be able to change to have a lower impact? A longer read...