In 2011, CEQ, EPA and GSA launched a national electronics plan. 15 years later, 2.4 billion EPEAT products generated $24.6 billion in savings for buyers nationwide2011 strategy emerged at a time when computers, monitors, printers, mobile devices and other electronics were becoming increasingly importa...
03 Sep, 2026, 08.02 PM IST
In 2020, Southwest University researchers treated rice husks with acid and burned them into ash; replacing 10% of cement with the ash increased compressive strength by 16.22% after 56 daysChinese researchers have found a way to strengthen cement using burnt rice husks. This agricultural waste, when treated and added, signific...
03 Sep, 2026, 03.40 PM IST
In 2026, Texas engineers mixed 4.5 tons of waste plastic into nearly a mile of road; the recycled material replaced 8% to 10% of petroleum-based bitumenInnovative researchers are pioneering the use of recycled plastic to improve the durability of asphalt roads. By substituting a portion of ...
03 Sep, 2026, 02.28 PM IST
In 2022, Duke students shredded and melted plastics 1, 2, 4 and 5 into bricks; a $248.84 setup produced blocks holding over 5,000 N in compression testsStudents at Duke University embarked on an innovative project, transforming everyday household plastic waste into strong building bricks. T...
02 Sep, 2026, 07.30 PM IST
In 2022, Hawaii used 195,000 plastic bottles to rebuild a road. Engineers found an alternative use for recycling plastic waste, but there's a catchHawaii's officials have embarked on an innovative experiment to blend recycled plastic into road asphalt, effectively repurposing nearly 20...
02 Sep, 2026, 03.22 PM IST
A PhD student used shredded baby diapers in a prototype Indonesian house; 27% of its non-structural concrete blocks contained diaper waste, totaling about 3,700 poundsAn extraordinary house in Indonesia has creatively utilized nearly 3,700 pounds of discarded diapers. This unique construction method incor...
02 Sep, 2026, 01.40 PM IST
RMIT engineers mixed 1% recycled cigarette butts into fired-clay bricks, and the bricks matched standard strength while cutting firing energy by 10%In Melbourne, engineers are pioneering a groundbreaking technique to integrate discarded cigarette butts into building bricks. This eco-fri...
02 Sep, 2026, 01.30 PM IST
In 2012, Chicago’s Railroad Retirement Board found new life for 3,200 pounds of electronics through reuse and recycling; the effort lifted waste diversion nearly 10%The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board successfully recycled over 3,200 pounds of electronic waste. This achievement was driven by federal prog...
01 Sep, 2026, 10.30 PM IST
In 1993, Taiwan collected 70% of its trash while recycling virtually none. 33 years later, paid bags, musical trucks and sorting helped drive recycling to 55% nationwideTaiwan’s experience therefore challenges the idea that recycling depends mainly on individual environmental enthusiasm. People certainly ne...
01 Sep, 2026, 04.13 AM IST
The receipt in your hand looks harmless, but its heat-sensitive coating can contain chemicals that transfer to skin, raising fresh questions about repeated everyday exposureMany receipts are printed on heat-sensitive thermal paper, which contains chemicals like BPA and BPS. This poses a risk as exposure can occ...
31 Aug, 2026, 11.26 PM IST
Miami researchers tested concrete that replaced sand with leaded CRT glass; a biopolymer helped limit lead leaching before durability damage raised concernsResearchers explored using toxic CRT glass in concrete mixtures. This hazardous waste contains significant amounts of lead, posing environm...
30 Aug, 2026, 04.30 PM IST
How a student turned waste glass into an ‘oyster home’ and won Rs 1.2 lakh awardA Florida high school student, Delaney Peterson, has explored an unusual way to support oyster reef restoration, by turning discarded glass...
30 Aug, 2026, 01.37 PM IST
In 2024, researchers tested crushed waste concrete as a base for Chesapeake oyster reefs; oyster spat grew and survived with no detectable hydrocarbon leachingIn the Chesapeake Bay, recycled concrete rubble is proving to be a nursery for young oysters. Scientists have discovered that this crushed ...
28 Aug, 2026, 03.20 PM IST
In a 2019 concrete study, replacing up to 30% of sand with waste tyre rubber increased impact resistance but reduced compressive strengthUtilizing discarded tyres in concrete significantly improves impact resistance. The incorporation of rubber allows structures to flex rathe...
28 Aug, 2026, 02.30 PM IST
In a 2015 Deakin University study, crushed waste glass replaced 30% of concrete sand; after 28 days, the recycled mix was 6% stronger than conventional concreteAustralian researchers found that crushed glass strengthens concrete mixtures effectively. Replacing sand with up to thirty percent recycle...
28 Aug, 2026, 02.20 PM IST
In an Australian study, waste glass replaced up to 60% of river sand in concrete; the recycled mix gained strength and resisted chloride penetrationEngineers in Australia have found that substituting sand with waste glass in concrete mixes can be beneficial. By using up to sixty percent...
28 Aug, 2026, 02.10 PM IST
In 2021, RMIT tested shredded face masks with recycled concrete for road bases; 1 kilometer could use 3 million masks and divert 93 tonnes from landfillEngineers from Australia have introduced an innovative strategy for converting used face masks into construction materials for roads. This ...
28 Aug, 2026, 01.50 PM IST