World’s first bike path made from recycled plastic opens in Netherlands
The world’s first PlasticRoad bike path opened recently in Zwolle, the Netherlands. Made from recycled plastic, the PlasticRoad is a completely circular product, with a significantly smaller carbon footprint than traditional road structures thanks to the longer lifespan and the reduction of transport movements involved in its construction, according to developers – Dutch firms KWS […]
EU approves EUR 243 million package for birds, bats, other projects to protect nature, environment
The European Commission has approved an investment package of EUR 243 million from the EU budget for projects under the LIFE program supporting nature, the environment, and quality of life in Europe’s transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon future, according to a press release from the EU executive. Funds of EUR 196.2 million will […]
Istanbul’s deposit system lets you pay transit fare with recyclables
As cities around the world start deploying deposit systems, Istanbul, with a population of nearly 15 million, has taken its efforts to increase recycling rates a step further. It now allows residents to top up public transportation cards by trading in plastic bottles or aluminum beverage cans. As part of the Turkish city’s deposit system […]
Croatia says taking steps as EU finds it at risk of missing 2020 municipal waste recycling target
The development of the circular economy is a priority for the Croatian government, and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Energy is cooperating with local governments on the construction of separate waste collection infrastructure, which would be backed by EU grants, to ensure at least 50% is collected for reuse or recycling by 2020, unnamed […]
Solagro Smart Recycler targets consumers who lost faith in recycling system
A lack of a reliable and simple recycling system and unmotivated users result in a low percentage of recycled packaging waste. Serbia’s Solagro, a participant in this year’s clim@ competition for startups organized by the Green for Growth Fund (GGF), has developed a smart beverage waste recycling device that can solve the problem. The Solagro […]
Biomyc develops biodegradable packaging solution to substitute polystyrene, protect oceans from pollution
The Expanded Polystyrene Foam (EPS), a type of plastic, is widely used in the packaging industry. This non-biodegradable material has short usage cycles and a very low recycling rate, which makes it one of the most pervasive pollutants on Earth, especially in oceans. Bulgarian startup Biomyc, a finalist of this year’s clim@ competition for startups […]
From Seattle to Tirana, global fight against plastic pollution gathers steam
From individual initiatives to cities and corporations banning plastic straws, the global anti-plastic movement is gaining momentum. It was three years ago that Christine Figgener, marine biologist at Texas A&M University, posted a graphic video of a sea turtle in distress as her team extracted a plastic straw stuck in its nose. Little did she […]
Recyclers, reusable plastic bag producers invited to apply for 2018 subsidies amid calls to boost funding
The Ministry of Environmental Protection has invited recyclers and reusable plastic bag producers to apply for the 2018 subsidies, to be earmarked under the 2019 state budget, which is to be prepared later this year. The recycling subsidies are available to licensed operators of waste reuse and waste treatment facilities, including those using waste as […]