Plastic Free July: Small changes for a big difference

  • Plastic is one of the most common substances in the modern world, used in every industry from medicine to manufacturing cars and spaceships.
  • Every year around the world, we throw away about 381 million tonnes of plastic – a large proportion of which has made its way into our oceans.
  • Over 100,000 marine animals die from plastic pollution each year, with the Mediterranean being one of the most polluted bodies of water.
  • Plastic Free July is a worldwide movement to help us reduce our consumption of single-use plastics. 
  • Here are some of our favourite articles around plastic, its use, and how we can mitigate the ongoing issue of plastic pollution.

Scientists in Norway have investigated the lifecycle of most used plastic polymers to improve plastic management and reduce plastic waste.

Super-strong materials: Fueling sustainable hydrogen transportation

Hydrogen could kickstart a green revolution in the travel industry – it’s a clean sustainable alternative to fossil fuel powered vehicles. But hydrogen must be stored in tanks capable of withstanding high pressure and low temperatures – challenging requirements that have so far curtailed the advancement of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).

Professor Holger Ruckdäschel, Mr Fabian Hübner, and their team from the University of Bayreuth, Germany, are developing super-strong materials for hydrogen fuel tanks. The cutting-edge technology, using carbon fibre and epoxy resin polymers, could help FCEVs to carry more fuel and travel farther.

Professor Holger Ruckdäschel and Fabian Hübner are developing super-strong materials for hydrogen fuel tanks, using cutting edge technology to create composite nanomaterials to withstand the requirements of transporting hydrogen
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A novel framework for improving plastic management

Modern society relies on plastics to support our ever-growing needs, but poor waste management of plastics causes severe damage to the environment and has knock-on effects to society.

Scientists at the Climate and Environmental Research Institute NILU investigated the lifecycle of plastic polymers to address waste mismanagement in Norway, and recommend strategies to produce higher-quality plastics, and lower plastic consumption.

Microplastic contamination of riverbeds: Tracing the sources and tackling the problem

Research by Professor Jamie Woodward and colleagues from The University of Manchester’s Department of Geography has shed vital light on the accumulation of microplastic particles on and in riverbeds.

This occurs after the release of untreated wastewater into rivers with flow rates too low to disperse the contaminants downstream (dry weather spills). This research was the first to link the microplastic pollution of rivers to the sewage dumping scandal.

Their recommendations include a UK-wide survey of microplastic river pollution using the research team’s riverbed sampling methodology.

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Dolphins and whales are exposed to human-sourced contaminants in the water

Marine pollution is the introduction of contaminants, either deliberately or accidently, into our oceans. Oil, chemicals, and plastics are all examples of marine pollution and can cause harm to many marine species.

Dr Annie Page-Karjian, based at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, carried out extensive analysis revealing bioaccumulation of heavy metals and toxic compounds in dolphins and whales. She believes that these findings are a reflection of the animal’s location and/or diet. For example, dolphins living in an area with intense human activity are more likely to have high levels of cadmium or arsenic than those in quieter regions.

Monitoring these heavy metals can also provide a snapshot of potential exposure for humans coming from consumption of fish and seafood.

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