Resource

Plastic waste is a growing menace, and a wasted opportunity

Alfonso Garcia Mora is IFC Vice President for Asia and Pacific. Victoria Kwakwa is World Bank Vice President for East Asia and Pacific.

The use of plastics is deeply embedded in our daily lives, in everything from grocery bags and cutlery to water bottles and sandwich wrap. But the quest for convenience has gone too far and we are failing to use plastics efficiently, wasting valuable resources and harming the environment.

‘Circular economy’ revolution could be worth $2 trillion

The Australian economy could enjoy a boost worth nearly $2 trillion in the next 20 years if the nation abandons its “take, make, use, waste” approach to materials and resources.

Australia has an ambitious plan to be reusing 80 per cent of all of its rubbish within nine years and the state and Commonwealth governments are jointly planning to ban the export of waste plastic, paper, glass and tyres.

First study of all Amazon greenhouse gases suggests the damaged forest is now worsening climate change

The Amazon rainforest is most likely now a net contributor to warming of the planet, according to a first-of-its-kind analysis from more than 30 scientists.

For years, researchers have expressed concern that rising temperatures, drought, and deforestation are reducing the capacity of the world’s largest rainforest to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and help offset emissions from fossil-fuel burning. Recent studies have even suggested that some portions of the tropical landscape already may release more carbon than they store.

How San Francisco Became A Global Leader In Waste Management

San Francisco diverts 80% of its waste from landfills, more than any other major city in North America. It hopes to achieve zero waste by 2020. Here's a look at what makes the city's waste management system so successful.

The average American produces about 4.4 pounds of waste per day. Roughly 1.5 pounds of that is composted or recycled, meaning the U.S. avoids sending just 34 percent of its waste to landfills, according to the EPA.

How Used Chopsticks Are Turned Into Tables, Tiles, And Other Furniture

People around the world discard an estimated 80 billion pairs of chopsticks every year. ChopValue, a Canadian company, wants to give those wood utensils a second life as shelves, furniture and countertops.