Ben & Jerry’s says it will eliminate single-use plastics

Enterprise technology generates a vast amount of e-waste. Get the research on what organizations face to reduce the environmental impact of IT asset disposal.

Exposing bees, butterflies and other pollinators to air pollution severely impairs their ability to sniff out the plants they feed on. That could be bad news for both insect populations and the crops that rely on them for pollination.  Pesticides and land use changes are two of the biggest drivers of plummeting insect numbers, but a new field trial suggests that polluted air caused by diesel cars may be a major cause too.  Previous evidence from lab studies has shown how air pollutants degrade the floral odour particles released by plants, making it harder for insects to locate them.

There is good news for the resources and waste sector in the Queen’s Birthday Honours this year with Linda Crichton (pictured above), a longstanding sector expert and member of CIWM, receiving an MBE.

Industrial wastewater is facing tougher regulation, and tighter limits on nutrient discharge are being imposed to secure the quality of waterways. This increases the need for more thorough purification technologies. Meanwhile, there is a significant potential for raw materials lurking in wastewater. industrial waste water Waste Water Show all 3 keywords
© VTT
The treatment of industrial wastewater creates effluents which contain substances such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur. It is harmful to discharge large amount of nutrients into the environment, but when these nutrients are recovered they serve as valuable constituents of new circular economy products. At the same time, the use of virgin raw materials can be reduced, while boosting self-sufficiency e.g. in nitrogen-based and phosphorus-based industrial chemicals and fertilizer products in Europe.
Technically and economically feasible solutions for treatment of wastewater and recovery of nutrients are being developed in the TYPKI project. It is coordinated by VTT and promotes the recovery and refinement of nutrients into industrial chemicals, construction materials, and fertilizer additives.