It is always amazing to see how seemingly little things can make such a great impact. Many people buy and chew gum mindlessly not realizing that the little piece taken for fun and pleasure contains plastic and can pose a threat to the environment. The plastic polymers that are used in regular chewing gums are […]
A lot has been said concerning the massive pollution and threat that plastic causes to human and marine life, and to the environment as a whole. There is therefore a strong case for alternatives that are biodegradable and healthier for our world. Traditional alternatives include glass and paper, but plastic remains popular for their strength […]
The transport sector is a major contributor to the emission of greenhouse gases. Road, air and water transport mostly run on fossil fuels. Therefore, the transport industry needs to invest in and embrace innovative solutions that help to drive down its pollution footprint. Sustainable biofuel by GoodFuel An innovative company, GoodFuels’ is producing its second-generation […]
Although various forms of second-hand goods and markets exist around the world, stereotypes about second-hand shopping are mostly unflattering. Second-hand products are often regarded to as inferior or less preferable to newer alternatives. But our untamed production, consumption and waste patterns are pushing the earth to its brink by pushing vast amounts of greenhouse gases […]
Globally, the past few months have witnessed a surge in the use of the diverse forms of personal protective equipment (PPE) as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Production and consumption of surgical face masks, hand gloves, hand sanitizers and other PPE have increased drastically. It is now mandatory to use a face mask in […]
The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated certain lifestyle changes for humans around the world. Because of the way that the virus is spread, health experts advise the use of face masks, frequent hand washing and maintaining physical distancing as part of measures to curtail the spread of the disease. In fact, face coverings are now a […]
Ghana generates about 22,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually but only 2 percent gets recycled. A company in Ghana called Nelplast Eco is changing that. Its founder is Ghanaian engineer Nelson Boateng. He created his own recycling machine using scrap metal and started the company to recycle around 4,400 pounds of plastic junk. The Nelplast website […]
The practice of using banana leaves for wrapping is nothing new. Many communities in Asia and Africa have benefited from the size and strength of green banana leaves for many years. However, the convenience and affordability of plastics soon took over. But with growing awareness on the negative impact of waste plastic, banana leaves seem […]
In most of the developing world, there is a booming second-hand market for almost everything. Second-hand clothes, shoes, phones, electronics and so on. The appeal and motivation vary from person to person, or place to place. Factors such as cost, quality and availability determine choice and patronage. Unlike in some of the developed world, second-hand […]
Since the large-scale production of synthetic materials began in the early 1950s, humans just can’t get enough of plastic. We love them so much that we have produced up to 8.3 billion metric tons. Out of these, at least 6.3 billion tons have become waste. Only a meagre 9% was recycled, 12% incinerated and 79% […]