Copenhagen chemists turn plastic waste into CO2 capture method

Scientists made plastic that eats carbon From waste to valuable resource: Chemists at the University of Copenhagen have developed a method to convert plastic waste into a climate solution for efficient and sustainable CO2 capture, thereby addressing not one, but two major global challenges...Read More>>> https://lnkd.in/eJ6AuM8k

Scientists made plastic that eats carbon From waste to valuable resource: Chemists at the University of Copenhagen have developed a method to convert plastic waste into a climate solution for efficient and sustainable CO2 capture, thereby addressing not one, but two major global challenges...Read More>>> https://lnkd.in/eJ6AuM8k

🪱 Plastic Underground: When Earthworms Eat Our Waste Even beneath our feet, plastic is reshaping life. Recent studies show that earthworms, the soil’s engineers, are ingesting plastic fragments mixed into the soil. As they burrow and feed, these plastics pass through their bodies and are redistributed through their casts, spreading microplastics deeper underground. The impact? Worms lose weight, alter their behaviour, and struggle to digest organic matter: weakening soil structure, fertility, and the ecosystem services we depend on. When the soil’s key engineers are harmed, the entire system feels it: ⚙️ Less aeration 🍂 Slower decomposition 🌍 Weaker carbon storage If even earthworms can’t escape plastic pollution, what hope is left for the rest of the underground world? 📚 Sources: Rillig, M.C. et al. (2017). Scientific Reports, 7:1362. Microplastic transport in soil by earthworms. Guo, S. et al. (2023). Frontiers in Environmental Science. Ecological risk of microplastic toxicity to earthworms in soil. Zhao, Y. et al. (2022). Science of the Total Environment, 849, 157936. Adverse effects of microplastics on earthworms.

A newly patented technology has been designed to achieve two major environmental goals: capture carbon dioxide from industrial emissions and manage growing amounts of waste. The innovation repurposes spent coffee grounds (SCG) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. It could help reduce environmental pollution and curb emissions by transforming these common waste materials into a powerful CO2 adsorbent. #Waste #Environment #Pollution #ClimateChange #CO2 #GHGemissions #Health #Humanity #Biodiversity #GlobalEconomy https://lnkd.in/gG489XkH

Buoyant plastic pollution could remain at the ocean surface for more than 100 years, even if all plastic inputs were halted today, according to a new study that we co-led with Queen Mary University of London. The new research, published in The Royal Society journal 'Philosophical Transactions A’, presents a model that simulates how large plastic debris breaks down and interacts with marine snow, organic particles that help transport material to the deep sea. The findings offer critical insights into the long-term fate of microplastics and the challenges of removing plastic from marine environments. The research was led by Dr Nan Wu (Queen Mary University of London and British Antarctic Survey) with Professor Andrew Manning (HR Wallingford and University of Plymouth), and Dr Stuart Grieve and Professor Kate Spencer from Department of Geography and Environmental Science, Queen Mary University of London. Technical Director Andrew Manning said: “As large plastics fragment, they become small enough to attach to marine snow and sink. But that transformation takes decades. Even after a hundred years, fragments are still floating and breaking down. To tackle the problem properly, we need long-term thinking that goes beyond just cleaning the surface.” The work was funded by the Lloyd's Register Foundation and supported by Queen Mary University of London, HR Wallingford, and the Interreg Preventing Plastic Pollution project. More details: https://lnkd.in/eTCRKAbs #plasticpollution

Last week, I shared a post with information that some people were not happy with because it was not 100% accurate (regarding about the amount of plastic in our oceans by 2050). It had little context and references, so I see the problems with it. With further research, I've found more research and context regarding the future of plastics in our oceans. - Modelling shows that even reducing pollution by 20% per year would not significantly reduce existing microplastics levels, meaning they will persist in our oceans beyond 2100. - https://lnkd.in/eqab38sQ - It’s estimated that 90% of seabirds have plastic in their stomachs (Wilcox et al, 2015) and half of marine turtles have eaten plastic (Schuyler et al, 2014).  - Approximately 11 million tonnes of plastic enters the ocean every year. That’s the equivalent of us dumping 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic into the world’s oceans, rivers, and lakes every single day (UNEP, 2025). I know there is lots more out there. Please leave your facts/ advice/ research below. #plasticpollution #singleuseplastics

🔁 Turning plastic bottles back into feedstock with greener chemistry. It’s Climate & Biodiversity Week at Trinity College Dublin, and we’re celebrating the innovative research driving a more sustainable future. Trinity researchers have developed a catalytic glycolysis process for PET recycling, using biodegradable magnesium-soap catalysts made from waste or food-grade oils. The result? Higher efficiency, lower toxicity, and a real step toward circular plastics, turning waste back into valuable feedstock while cutting emissions and reducing pollution. If your organisation is advancing chemical recycling, sustainable packaging, or closed-loop PET systems, let’s talk. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eQKjd5uw 👥 Developed by Trinity researchers lead by stephen connon, supported by KnEx #TrinityCollegeDublin #ClimateAndBiodiversityWeek #EUinmyregion

Yesterday the Scottish Government published its draft circular economy strategy. 💚 Overall, the strategy is a welcome step towards a fairer and more sustainable future for all 💚It commits to reducing the amount of resources extracted from nature 💚It puts the needs of communities and workers at the heart of plans for change But there are significant gaps in the strategy as currently drafted. ❌ There is NO mention of plastics, despite growing concern about the plastics crisis ❌It does not address the harmful health impacts of pollution from materials like microplastics, heavy metals and forever chemicals  ❌It does not lay out enough practical solutions - like how to improve access to reuse and repair services to all communities in Scotland Read our full response to the draft strategy: https://lnkd.in/e_4ecQPq

Plastic pollution could linger at ocean surfaces for over a century, new research finds - Queen Mary University of London: Scientists from the Department of Geography and Environmental Science at Queen Mary University of London have developed a simple model to show how buoyant plastic can settle through the water column and they predict it could take over 100 years to remove plastic waste from the ocean's surface. https://lnkd.in/ehVBfZ8z

Plastic-production emissions could triple to one-fifth of Earth’s carbon budget – reportThis article is more than 1 year old By the middle of the century, pollution from plastic industry could ‘undermine world’s effort’ to control climate crisis A recent report projects that plastic production emissions could triple by 2050, potentially accounting for one-fifth of Earth's remaining carbon budget. This increase is driven by the heavy reliance of plastic production on fossil fuels and is expected to significantly undermine global efforts to control climate change https://lnkd.in/eEbfgyYz