Plastic Pollution

From ocean plastic to vinyl

What’s Going On Here? Earlier this month, musician and songwriter Nick Mulvey released the world’s first record made from plastic waste washed up in Cornwall. Music to our ears! ???? What Does This Mean? We thought this was pretty damn cool, not just because we’re Nick fans but a track pressed onto a record made from recycled plastic? It’s a big curious yes from…

Happy HallowGreen

What’s Going On Here? Recent research has estimated Halloween celebrations in the UK to generate more than 2,000 tonnes of plastic textile waste and 8 million pumpkins worth of food waste – news that really is truly terrifying. What Does This Mean? Hubbub worked with the charity, Fairyland Trust to survey 19 retailers of Halloween outfits to find that 83% of more than 300…

#PlasticFreePeriods

What’s Going On Here? Sanitary pads, tampons and applicators, which nearly all contain high levels of plastic, are the fifth most common item found on Europe’s beaches. More widespread than single-use coffee cups, cutlery or straws. Let’s meet the movement tackling this issue and fighting for #PlasticFreePeriods, and saving people thousands of pounds in the process! What Does This Mean? Nearly all mainstream…

‘Biodegradable’ plastic bags not all they’re cracked up to be

What’s Going On Here? Scientists at the University of Plymouth have found biodegradable plastic bags aren’t as biodegradable as they’re supposed to be. The finding supports curious.earth concerns that ‘biodegradable’ labelling is misleading consumers and validating single use consumption. What Does This Mean? Biodegradable plastics can be broken down by living organisms… but as the study shows it may take a rather long time…

Evian unveils its first reusable water bottle

What’s Going On Here? Evian, the French bottled water giant has released designs for its first reusable water bottle. Part of their wider sustainability strategy to become a ‘truly’ circular, carbon neutral company by 2020. Striving for Carbon Neutrality Today, all Evian water bottles are 100% recyclable and contain a minimum 25% recycled plastic. The new limited edition bottle consists of a…

Mutant Enzyme That Eats Plastic Bottles, Created By Accident

What’s Going On Here? Scientists have accidentally created a mutant enzyme that can break down single-use plastic drinks bottles. The enzyme could help solve the world’s plastic pollution crisis and also slash the need to produce new plastic! What Does This Mean? PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) is a type of plastic that is commonly used to make single-use plastic bottles. It is estimated that it…

Are tea-bags undoing your food waste efforts?

What’s Going On Here? Microplastics are making their way from our food bins and into our food chain. These non-biodegradable fragments have been found in organic fertilisers applied to farmland. Could a simple cuppa be to blame? What Does This Mean? If we dispose of food waste, it goes to landfill (definitely not cool). But if we recycle it in food waste bins, it is…

Lego Going Green…ish!

What’s Going On Here? LEGO are swapping oil-base plastic for a plant-based alternative in SOME of their products. The Danish childhood-memory-maker and part-time toymaker announced the move on Thursday. Production has started and the products will be on sale later this year. What Does This Mean? Companies are feeling the pressure to change their production methods. And in the case of LEGO this…