Articles tagged with "waste-management"
Used EV batteries can be turned into fertilizers with this new method
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, led by Professor Deyang Qu, have developed a novel method to recycle used lithium iron phosphate (LFP) electric vehicle (EV) batteries into fertilizers. This process employs an ion-exchange technique to recover lithium by replacing it with potassium, leaving behind key fertilizer components such as phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. The innovation addresses the growing challenge of EV battery waste, particularly as conventional recycling is costly and yields limited value beyond lithium recovery. By converting battery materials into fertilizers, the method not only reduces environmental waste but also supports agriculture, offering a potentially sustainable economic solution. The research, supported by UWM and the USDA Agricultural Research Service, aims to scale up fertilizer production for field testing, including planned trials on tomato crops. This approach could create a domestic supply of essential fertilizer minerals, currently mostly imported, while reducing the energy footprint associated with mining and transportation. The method is particularly relevant given the expected surge in expired lithium-ion batteries after about a decade
energybattery-recyclinglithium-ion-batterieselectric-vehiclessustainable-agriculturefertilizer-productionwaste-managementGaniga will showcase its waste-sorting robots at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
Italian startup Ganiga Innovation aims to improve global plastic recycling rates, currently below 10%, through AI-enabled robotic waste sorting solutions. Their flagship product, Hoooly, is a fleet of robotic waste bins that use generative AI to distinguish trash from recyclables and sort them accordingly. Additionally, Ganiga offers a smart lid attachment for existing bins with similar sorting capabilities and a software platform that tracks corporate waste production and provides recommendations to reduce it. Founded in 2021 by Nicolas Zeoli, Ganiga has sold over 120 robotic bins to clients including Google and major European airports, generating $500,000 in revenue in 2024 and $750,000 in the first nine months of 2025. Ganiga will showcase its technology at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco from October 27-30, participating in the Startup Battlefield competition. The company recently raised $1.5 million in pre-seed funding and plans to raise a $3 million seed round. In
robotAIwaste-managementrecycling-technologysmart-binsenvironmental-technologysustainabilityGaniga will showcase its waste-sorting robots at TechCrunch Disrupt
Italian startup Ganiga is addressing the global plastic recycling challenge—where less than 10% of plastic is recycled—by developing AI-enabled robotic waste bins designed to improve sorting and waste management. Their flagship product, Hoooly, uses generative AI to distinguish between trash and recyclables, automating the sorting process. Ganiga also offers a smart lid that can retrofit existing bins with similar AI capabilities and a software platform that tracks corporate waste production and provides actionable insights to reduce waste. Founded in 2021 by Nicolas Zeoli, the company has sold over 120 robotic bins to clients including Google and major airports in Europe, generating $500,000 in revenue in 2024 and $750,000 in the first nine months of 2025. Ganiga will showcase its technology at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco from October 27 to 30, participating in the Startup Battlefield competition. The company plans to launch Hooolyfood in November, a software product that
robotAIwaste-managementrecycling-technologysmart-binsenvironmental-technologysustainabilityCoffee and plastic waste transformed into carbon capture material
Researchers at the University of Sharjah in the UAE have developed and patented a novel technology that transforms spent coffee grounds (SCG) from Starbucks in Dubai and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic waste into high-performance activated carbon for carbon dioxide (CO2) capture. This innovation addresses two critical environmental challenges simultaneously: reducing industrial CO2 emissions and managing large volumes of waste. The process involves co-pyrolysis of coffee and plastic waste at 600°C with potassium hydroxide (KOH) as an activating agent, producing a material with strong CO2 adsorption capacity suitable for industrial applications. This dual-purpose technology leverages abundant waste streams—over 10 billion kilograms of coffee waste and millions of tons of PET plastic produced annually—to create an economically viable and sustainable solution for carbon capture. The activated carbon produced can effectively adsorb CO2 from fossil fuel-based energy systems, helping mitigate air pollution and climate change. The researchers emphasize the environmental, social, and economic benefits of repurposing these
energycarbon-captureactivated-carbonwaste-managementenvironmental-technologysustainable-materialscarbon-dioxide-reductionAMP Robotics acquires Portsmouth recycling operations from RDS of Virginia - The Robot Report
AMP Robotics Corp., a developer of AI-powered robotic sorting technology for waste and recycling, has acquired the Portsmouth recycling operations of RDS of Virginia LLC, which has served South Hampton Roads since 2005. Since late 2023, AMP has operated its AMP ONE system at the Portsmouth facility, autonomously processing up to 150 tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) daily with over 90% uptime. The system separates recyclables and organic materials from bagged trash, enabling the facility to divert more than 50% of landfill-bound waste when combined with organics management and mixed recyclables sorting. AMP also plans to expand the single-stream recycling operations inherited from RDS Portsmouth. Founded in 2014, AMP Robotics has identified 150 billion items and sorted over 2.5 million tons of recyclables using its AI platform. The company raised $91 million in funding at the end of 2024 and is transitioning from solely a technology developer to an operating company by acquiring and managing
roboticsAIwaste-managementrecycling-technologyAMP-Roboticsmunicipal-solid-wasteautomationNew flash process cuts 96% of metals, keeps aluminum in red mud
Researchers at Rice University have developed a rapid and environmentally friendly method to treat bauxite residue, known as red mud, a toxic by-product of aluminum production. Their technique uses flash Joule heating (FJH), which applies a high-power electrical pulse for under one minute, combined with a small amount of chlorine gas to vaporize hazardous metals. This process removes 96% of iron and nearly all toxic metals while preserving almost all the aluminum content. Unlike traditional methods, it avoids the use of water, solvents, and corrosive chemicals, resulting in a safer, aluminum-rich residue that can be recycled back into aluminum production or converted into durable ceramic building materials. This breakthrough offers significant industrial and environmental benefits by reducing waste piles, lowering emissions, and decreasing the need for new bauxite mining. The cleaned red mud can be transformed into super-hard ceramics suitable for construction, turning a hazardous waste into a valuable resource. The Rice team is collaborating with industry partners through Flash Metals USA, a spinoff company
materialsaluminum-extractionred-mudflash-Joule-heatingwaste-managementsustainable-industryceramic-materialsScientists turn seafood waste into powerful CO2 adsorbent material
Researchers at the University of Sharjah in the UAE have developed an innovative method to convert shrimp waste—specifically shells, heads, and guts—into activated carbon capable of capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂). This process addresses two major environmental challenges simultaneously: managing the vast amounts of seafood waste generated globally (up to eight million tons annually) and mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The shrimp waste, sourced from Souq Al Jubail in Sharjah and originally from Oman, undergoes a multi-step treatment involving pyrolysis to create biochar, followed by acid treatment, chemical activation, and ball milling to produce a highly effective and stable CO₂ adsorbent. Beyond carbon capture, the activated carbon derived from shrimp waste has versatile applications including air and water purification, solvent recovery, gold extraction, and certain medical uses. The researchers emphasize that this approach exemplifies a circular economy by transforming problematic waste into a valuable resource, enhancing resource efficiency and sustainability. The study, published in the journal Nanos
energymaterialscarbon-captureactivated-carbonwaste-managementclimate-change-mitigationsustainable-materialsTwo-Thirds Of River Trash Is Plastic (Research) - CleanTechnica
A recent study from the University of California–Santa Barbara highlights the alarming extent of plastic pollution in rivers worldwide, estimating that 1.95 million metric tons of plastic—equivalent to the weight of 5.3 Empire State Buildings—flow through rivers annually. This plastic originates primarily from mismanaged waste, including littering, illegal dumping, and leakage from inadequately controlled landfills. Much of this waste is mobilized by rain and wind, traveling from distant locations through urban drainage systems into rivers. The research emphasizes that nearly all everyday plastics are derived from fossil fuels, and only about 10% of plastic waste is recycled globally, underscoring significant gaps in waste management infrastructure. The study also discusses the environmental and human health impacts of riverine plastic pollution. Plastic debris harms river ecosystems by entangling and poisoning wildlife, smothering habitats, and transporting invasive species and pathogens. It also poses risks to human communities by contaminating food sources with microplastics, blocking drainage systems which
materialsplastic-pollutionwaste-managementrecyclingfossil-fuelsenvironmental-researchriver-pollutionScientists find solar waste could be Australia’s richest silver source
Researchers at Macquarie University have developed a novel precision extraction technology that recovers silver from discarded solar panels with over 77% efficiency, without damaging the silicon wafers or glass components. This method, called Jet Electrochemical Silver Extraction (JESE), uses a fine stream of weak acid to selectively dissolve silver directly from the panel surface, preserving other materials for reuse. The technology complements the team’s patented microwave-powered delamination process, which separates panel components without grinding or high heat, enabling recovery of intact glass sheets and reusable silicon wafers. This innovation is licensed to ASX-listed Lithium Universe, which secured global rights for over A$500,000 for 20 years. The significance of this development lies in the growing volume of solar panel waste in Australia and globally, as many panels installed in the early 2000s reach their end of life. Australia alone may accumulate about one million tonnes of solar panel waste by 2035. Each panel contains approximately 20 grams of silver, a
energysolar-panelssilver-recyclingrenewable-energysustainable-materialswaste-managementclean-technologyThe Ocean Cleanup & Kia Support Guatemala with Initiative to Stop Plastic Pollution From Reaching the World’s Oceans - CleanTechnica
The Ocean Cleanup and Kia have partnered with the Guatemalan government and local organizations to prevent approximately 20,000 tons of plastic waste carried annually by the Motagua and Las Vacas rivers from reaching the Caribbean Sea. This initiative involves deploying two advanced floating trash capture systems—Interceptor 006 and the larger Interceptor 021—to intercept and remove plastic debris before it pollutes marine ecosystems in the Gulf of Honduras, a highly biodiverse area. Since installation, these systems have extracted over 23,000 tons of waste, demonstrating a significant local effort with global environmental implications. Kia’s collaboration with The Ocean Cleanup, established in 2022, aligns with its sustainability goals, including increasing the use of recycled plastics in its vehicles. Beyond supporting ocean cleanup efforts like those in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Kia aids in logistical, financial, and advocacy aspects of the project. Captured plastics are sorted for recycling or repurposing, with some transformed into consumer products such as limited-edition vinyl records
energysustainabilityplastic-pollutionenvironmental-technologyocean-cleanuprecycled-materialswaste-managementWould A Lottery Reward Make People More Likely To Recycle? - CleanTechnica
The article explores the potential of lottery-based rewards to increase recycling rates, addressing common barriers such as inconvenience, lack of immediate payoff, and low motivation. Despite trillions of beverage containers used annually, recycling rates remain modest—34% for glass bottles, 40% for plastic, and 70% for aluminum cans. Traditional bottle deposit systems, which refund a small amount per returned container, exist in multiple countries and regions and have some success. However, researchers propose that adding a lottery element—where each recycled container acts like a lottery ticket with a small chance of winning a large prize—could significantly boost recycling participation by tapping into human attraction to gambling and rewards. Several studies underpin this approach, including psychological frameworks like operant conditioning that emphasize rewards to reinforce positive environmental behaviors. One study compared a typical fee-based policy with a lottery incentive for reusable cup use, finding no significant difference in perceived behavior change, suggesting that the lottery’s impact might vary by context. However, a Canadian research team tested a
energyrecyclingsustainabilityenvironmental-behaviorclimate-actionwaste-managementincentivesThe science behind plastic recycling and why it needs a rethink
The article explores the challenges and limitations of plastic recycling, emphasizing that the issue extends beyond consumer behavior to fundamental thermodynamic, chemical, and engineering constraints. Since the invention of the first man-made plastic, Parkesine, in 1862, plastics have evolved into a diverse range of durable materials that have become ubiquitous in daily life. However, by the late 1960s, scientists began detecting widespread plastic pollution in the environment, prompting the adoption of recycling as a solution. Although recycling initially appeared promising by reducing waste and conserving resources, it has revealed significant drawbacks over time, including high costs, inefficiencies, toxicity concerns, and the release of microplastics. The article details the three main recycling methods: mechanical, chemical, and energy recycling. Mechanical recycling, the most common commercial method, involves collecting, sorting, washing, and reprocessing plastics like PET and HDPE but is limited by contamination and material degradation. Chemical recycling, a newer approach, aims to break down plastics to their original raw
materialsplastic-recyclingpolymer-sciencechemical-recyclingsustainable-materialswaste-managementenvironmental-engineeringMicrosoft uses human poop to offset emissions from its AI empire
Microsoft has partnered with waste management firm Vaulted Deep in a 12-year agreement to offset 4.9 million metric tons of carbon emissions generated by its artificial intelligence operations. The company’s approach involves injecting a slurry of human and farm waste—including biosolids, manure, and food waste—5,000 feet underground into sealed rock formations. This method, which has been used for decades to manage industrial waste, effectively locks away carbon that would otherwise contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. For each ton of carbon sequestered this way, Microsoft earns carbon removal credits, helping it reduce its net emissions and advance its goal of becoming carbon negative by 2030. Vaulted Deep’s technique stands out because it leverages existing infrastructure rather than relying on slower or less scalable options like tree planting or direct air capture. The process also addresses environmental concerns associated with traditional waste disposal methods, such as nutrient runoff and methane emissions from land-applied biosolids. While the approach offers measurable climate and public health benefits
energycarbon-capturecarbon-removalclimate-changewaste-managementsustainabilityenvironmental-technologyWaxworms can eat plastic, poop profit and possibly save the planet
A recent study from Brandon University, led by Dr. Bryan Cassone, reveals that waxworms—the caterpillars of the greater wax moth—can rapidly degrade polyethylene, the most common plastic worldwide. Remarkably, about 2,000 waxworms can consume an entire polyethylene bag within 24 hours, a process that normally takes decades or centuries in the environment. The research shows that waxworms metabolize the plastic into lipids stored as body fat, similar to how humans store fat from food. However, an all-plastic diet is lethal to the caterpillars, causing mass loss and death within days. Cassone suggests that co-supplementing their diet with other food sources could sustain and even enhance their health, enabling mass rearing. The implications of this discovery are twofold: waxworms could be farmed on a supplemented polyethylene diet to help reduce plastic waste as part of a circular economy, or scientists could isolate and replicate the enzymes responsible for plastic degradation in laboratory or industrial settings
materialsplastic-degradationpolyethyleneenvironmental-sciencebiodegradationwaste-managementsustainable-materialsFrance’s uranium waste sparks crisis at Armenia-Azerbaijan flashpoint
The article reports on a controversy involving France’s state-owned nuclear company Orano, which is accused of transferring uranium-containing radioactive waste to Armenia near the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. The waste shipments began in June 2025 and were deposited in Dilijan National Park, a protected area in the Armenian highlands that lies within a seismic zone and is close to the headwaters of rivers flowing into Azerbaijan. Environmental groups, particularly the Environmental Protection First (EPF) Coalition, have condemned the move as an “ecological war against Azerbaijan,” warning that any leakage could severely impact public health, biodiversity, and water security in the downstream Azerbaijani districts. The radioactive waste reportedly originated from Orano’s previous storage partner in Siberia, but geopolitical tensions and sanctions cut access to Russian facilities, prompting France to seek new disposal options. The deal with Armenia allegedly followed Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s visit to Paris in early 2025, accompanied by controversial financial donations to a foundation led by
energynuclear-wasteradioactive-materialsenvironmental-impacturaniumwaste-managementnuclear-energyNew diaper transforms poop and plastic into soil in less than a year
Hiro Technologies, a Texas-based startup, has developed MycoDigestible Diapers, an innovative sustainable diaper that uses fungi to transform baby poop and plastic components into nutrient-rich soil within nine months. Disposable diapers, which typically take around 500 years to decompose, contribute significantly to landfill waste and environmental pollution. The company’s approach leverages fungi’s natural ability to break down complex carbon materials, including plastics, by releasing enzymes that degrade the strong carbon bonds in petroleum-based diaper plastics. Each diaper includes a packet of fungi that activates upon exposure to moisture from the diaper’s contents and environment, initiating the biodegradation process. The diapers are made from unbleached cotton and softwood fluff pulp sourced from sustainably managed forests, ensuring they are gentle on babies’ skin and environmentally friendly. Lab tests demonstrated that within nine months, the treated diapers fully decomposed into black soil. Hiro Technologies currently sells diaper bundles online and plans to expand the fungi technology to other plastic-containing products such as adult incontinence and
materialssustainabilitybiodegradable-plasticsfungi-technologywaste-managementenvironmental-innovationdecomposition