Good News Notes: “Each year, 8 million tons of plastic— the equivalent of a garbage truck load every minute — is dumped into the ocean, according to the World Economic Forum. The Ocean Cleanup, a nonprofit engineering environmental organization based in the Netherlands, is attempting to remove as much of that plastic as is feasible. “Our strategy…
Tag: oceans
Microsoft made a wireless mouse out of recycled ocean plastic
Good News Notes: “Alongside a fresh lineup of Surface systems, Microsoft announced a new mouse at its fall hardware event. The name gives away the reason why it’s interesting. It’s called the Microsoft Ocean Plastic Mouse. The shell is made with 20 percent recycled ocean plastic, which is created from waste that has been recovered from oceans and waterways…
NCDOT, Volunteers collect 9M pounds of roadside litter
Good News Notes: “When consumer goods, often single-use disposables, are littered or improperly managed, this trash can find its way into rivers, streams and other waterways. These ultimately empty into our oceans, where the trash becomes marine debris, according to theEnvironmental Protection Agency. “In North Carolina, we take great pride in our natural resources, but…
How to fight microplastic pollution with magnets
Good News Notes: “As a child, Fionn Ferreira spent hours exploring the coastline near his hometown of Ballydehob in south-west Ireland. But the more time he spent on the sheltered, shingle-strewn coves nearby, he grew increasingly shocked by the large amounts of plastic litter he found strewn across the beach and in the sea. “It…
MU, MoDOT to use recycled plastic to resurface Stadium Boulevard
Good News Notes: “Although plastic isnotoriously difficult to recycle, engineers at the University of Missouri are partnering with Dow and the Missouri Department of Transportation for a potential use of large volumes of waste plastic in road material. A section of Stadium Boulevard will be resurfaced using the waste plastic in the asphalt mixture sometime…
Colorado Springs unveils new filtration system to keep pollution out of city water
Good News Notes: “The city of Colorado Springs is unveiling a new way to keep our water clean! The Colorado Springs Stormwater Enterprise, in conjunction with Frog Creek Partners, is installing a dozen “gutter bins” in downtown Colorado Springs, meant to keep pollution and debris out of the city water system. “It’s a retrofit of…
OKC Zoo launches Plastic Free EcoChallenge in July
Good News Notes: “The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is encouraging consumers to shift away from single-use plastic dependency and make a change for the benefit of the world’s ecosystems by participating in the Plastic Free EcoChallenge during July. The premise for the EcoChallege is that disposable plastic items like grocery bags, straws and bottles are…
Hygienist fights plastic pollution with sustainable products
Good News Notes: “A Portland dental hygienist is not only keeping people’s mouths clean but is also trying to help the environment. Ingrid Adeogun realized a few years ago just how much plastic waste comes from the dental industry. Many research companies show that approximately 1 billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown away every year in…
Orbital Marine Power of Scotland is pursuing ocean energy technologies.
Good News Notes: “Scotland is the source of many great exports: scotch (of course), Gordon Ramsay, and the Young brothers of iconic rock group AC/DC. Its next gift to the world might be a way to harness renewable energy from the ocean. In April, Scottish-based Orbital Marine Power launched the O2, the world’s most powerful tidal turbine, to…
Biodegradable Phone Case Tackles Plastics Pollution
Good News Notes: “While it might not be the biggest source of plastics showing up in waterways and failing to degrade in landfills, biodegradable phone cases could be a start. According to Michael Pratt, the founder of Pivet, his company’s smartphone cases utilize a newly developed material that will completely decompose in traditional environments,…