In 1991, Curitiba began exchanging recyclables for bus tokens and food. 35 years later, the city recycles 70% of its waste while creating jobs and supporting familiesIn Curitiba, Brazil, residents can exchange recyclable waste for fresh food. Other cities have found different uses for what people throw a...
01 Sep, 2026, 08.19 PM IST
Scientists are turning plastic waste and corn stalks into edible cookies using genetically engineered yeast; the bizarre food experiment could tackle both pollution and food scarcityScientists at Southern Illinois University are developing experimental cookies made from plastic bottles and agricultural waste using genet...
25 Aug, 2026, 09.23 PM IST
Under 4-year project from 2022 to 2026, Trong Duc Cocoa in Vietnam began feeding 5,000 tons of discarded cocoa pods into a gasifier. Now, the waste helps dry fresh beans in 7 days instead of 15 during the rainy seasonTrong Duc Cocoa Co. Ltd. in southern Vietnam has developed a way to reuse approximately 5,000 tons of discarded cocoa pods generated each y...
25 Aug, 2026, 12.24 AM IST
In 2025, researchers extracted superabsorbent gel from discarded diapers and tested it in sandy soil, where it showed water-retention potential similar to a commercial hydrogelScientists are investigating the potential of repurposing used diaper gel as a source of agricultural water retention. This material exhibi...
22 Aug, 2026, 04.58 PM IST
In June 2026, Spain revealed a rare-earth deposit capable of meeting 33% of Europe’s needs. Now, the find could challenge China’s grip on critical minerals and strengthen continent’s push for mineral independenceA rare-earth deposit identified in Campo de Montiel, central Spain, could become an important source of materials for Europe’s electric veh...
21 Aug, 2026, 10.40 PM IST
In a five-year trial reported in 2025, scientists mixed discarded oyster shells into acidic farmland; peanut yields rose by up to 37%Researchers repurposed oyster shell waste to improve sour farmland in China. This five-year trial significantly boosted peanut crop yields ...
19 Aug, 2026, 06.30 PM IST
Scientists from King’s College London turned an agricultural waste product into a bone-healing scaffold; keratin from sheep’s wool produced more natural-looking regenerated bone than collagen in animalsSheep’s wool may soon have a surprising medical purpose. Scientists at King’s College London turned wool-derived keratin into a bone regene...
16 Aug, 2026, 10.40 PM IST
Treat, not trick, data centre waterIndia faces a significant potable water shortfall while treating only a fraction of its sewage. Treated sewage, currently discharged into w...
14 Aug, 2026, 11.10 PM IST
Coffee grounds + eggshells for plants: Myth vs fact every home gardener should knowCoffee grounds and eggshells are popular gardening hacks, but science reveals a more nuanced picture. Used coffee grounds do not reliably l...
04 Aug, 2026, 02.40 PM IST
Quote by the day by Stephen Hawking, 'We are in danger of destroying ourselves by our greed and stupidity. We cannot remain looking inwards at ourselves on a small and increasingly polluted and overcrowded planet' serves as profound warning about human existence as earth experiences pandemics, natural changes, environmental challengesQuote of the day by Stephen Hawking reminds us that protecting our planet and working together are not obstacles to progress—they are essen...
28 Jul, 2026, 05.18 PM IST
These large-caps have ‘strong buy’ & ‘buy’ recos and an upside potential of up to 25%Market mood rarely turns all at once. It turns in stages. And India's mood might have just entered the first of them: Because of a commodit...
28 Jul, 2026, 11.20 AM IST
Eggshells are not kitchen waste. How gardeners use them to help plants thriveInstead of throwing eggshells away, gardeners can reuse them to support healthier plants and reduce kitchen waste. Made up of about 95% cal...
13 Jul, 2026, 07.41 AM IST
Are data centres uncool? Questions over AI's ecological trade-off are growing louder but solutions may be emergingAI's environmental strain from data centers and resource exploitation is causing growing public concern. Communities face water shortages a...
09 Jul, 2026, 11.37 PM IST
Stubble burning, construction waste still major concerns: SurveyAbout 178 million tonnes of surplus crop residues are available in the country. Burning of these residues leads to rise in pollutant levels...
31 Jan, 2020, 05.01 PM IST
- In a first, DU college sets up handmade paper recycling unit
"We have decided not to purchase any paper for official use now, we will recycle it here on campus and use it for all files and other purpo...
13 Nov, 2014, 09.23 PM IST
- Govt considering allowing SEZ units to recycle plastic waste
The government is considering allowing units in special economic zones (SEZs) to recycle plastic waste.
04 Feb, 2013, 09.28 PM IST
- Strict norms for plastic recycling units in SEZs next week
The Commerce Ministry is likely to come out with strict norms for SEZ units engaged in recycling of plastic next week in wake of the Enviro...
08 Jul, 2010, 08.11 PM IST