Why innovative ‘bio‑materials’ are still more sci‑fi than fashion revolution
Grown using living organisms, they’re often showcased as the next generation of sustainable materials.
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The Conversation
You might be buying the wrong home battery. Here’s how to tell
In Australia, early government rebate schemes offered higher discounts for larger batteries.
Smart clothes will soon be on sale. But regulations are needed to prevent a new waste mountain
Governments need to set clear rules on recyclability and chemical safety for e‑textiles.
The surprising chemical footprint of your clothes
As governments and industry invest in more circular textile systems, understanding the chemical history of textiles is becoming increasingly important.
Why handheld fans are not cool for the planet
Just under half of fans are discarded annually, and only 62 per cent are formally collected.
Criminal fly‑tipping gangs are costing governments millions – AI and drones can help track waste dumpers
Part of the problem is that by the time large fly-tipping sites are discovered, it can be difficult to identify the original source.
A new reuse symbol aims to be as recognisable as the recycling logo – and make more of a difference
The symbol needed to be clearly distinguishable from the recycling chasing arrows logo.
What ‘biodegradable’ packaging really means – and 3 key questions to ask about it
Biodegradability standards are helpful for consumers and waste regulators.
Your ‘recycled polyester’ leggings are not as sustainable as you think
The story is more complicated. What looks like circular recycling is often a one-way trip to landfill.
Is ‘vegan leather’ as sustainable or eco‑friendly as brands claim?
‘Vegan leather’ is often seen as the better choice – even though how long it lasts, and where it ends up, is rarely questioned.
Climate-affected produce is here to stay. Here’s what it takes for consumers to embrace it
Climate-affected produce resembles “ugly” food as it is often smaller, misshapen or has surface imperfections.
Want to buy an electric car but unsure you can justify it? Here’s how the arguments against EVs stack up
But you’ve heard arguments against electric cars: they have limited range and many owners can’t easily charge at home.
Social media ads are littered with ‘green’ claims. How are we supposed to know they’re true?
Online platforms are awash with ads for so-called “green” products. Power companies are “carbon…
The world’s 280 million electric bikes and mopeds are cutting demand for oil far more than electric cars
The electric transport revolution is a great chance to rethink how we move through our cities – and whether we even need a car at all.
How microplastics are making their way into farmland
Microplastics are readily found in treated wastewater sludge — also known as municipal biosolids — that eventually make their way to our agricultural soils.