Chris Infotainment

Digital Peers International Launches Phase Two of Environmental Initiative Digital Peers International (DPI) has launched the second phase of its environmental initiative aimed at engaging tech-savvy youths in managing plastic use and waste in the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State. This new phase, titled 'Deploying the Power of IT-Engaged Youths in Effective Plastic Use and Plastic Waste Management 2.0,' was officially announced during a press conference held on Wednesday in Abuja. The initiative is backed by the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, which is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This collaboration highlights the importance of youth involvement in addressing environmental challenges through innovative digital solutions. Dr. Ibukun Odusote, CEO of DPI, emphasized that the project equips young people with the necessary skills and opportunities to tackle plastic pollution while fostering innovations that benefi...

A Major Cleanup Effort on St Martin’s Island On December 7, volunteers from across Bangladesh joined forces to remove nearly two tonnes of waste from the beaches of St Martin's Island. This initiative, led by Unilever Bangladesh and Kewkradong Bangladesh, was part of the International Coastal Cleanup 2025. The event took place on the ecologically sensitive island, drawing in hundreds of youth and local residents to help protect its fragile coastline. A total of 500 volunteers, including students from universities and members of local communities, participated in the cleanup. Over the course of the event, they collected 1,850 kilograms of waste, which is approximately two tonnes. The waste included a wide range of items such as food wrappers, plastic beverage bottles, bottle caps, plastic bags, utensils, lids, and even abandoned fishing nets. The collected waste was transported to the mainland for safe disposal, according to a press release issued on Sunday. This effort not only ...

McDonald's Reverts to Plastic Lids After Customer Backlash McDonald's has reversed its decision to replace plastic coffee lids with a more eco-friendly alternative, just months after introducing the change. The fast-food giant initially made headlines last year when it decided to phase out its black plastic lids in favor of a moulded fibre option. However, the move backfired, leading to widespread customer complaints and ultimately prompting the company to abandon the initiative. The switch to the new lids was part of McDonald’s broader sustainability goals, including a commitment to reduce material usage across its packaging by 30% by 2030. The company had launched the new lids in January, aiming to contribute to its "closing the loop on waste" strategy. Despite this, customers quickly voiced their dissatisfaction, citing several issues with the new design. One major concern was the perceived lack of security of the paper-like lids. Employees reported that some cu...

Borealis's Innovation Hall in Linz, Austria, is a unique space that combines the look of a manufacturing plant with the purpose of a research facility. Inside, a variety of raw materials—some with unusual names like polymers—are combined with additives, antioxidants, or glass fibre to test the production of numerous everyday products. Doris Machl, the Head of the Competence Center at Compounds & Recyclates, explains: “The different products we design could be pipes or bumpers, or of course packaging material to wrap a sweet.” From insulating materials to fully recyclable transparent films, these real-size manufacturing lines allow developers to demonstrate how plastic materials can be given a second life in factory-like conditions. These facilities serve as the Innovation Headquarters for Borealis, one of Europe’s largest chemical groups. The company employs 6,200 people and operates in 120 countries. It claims to be fully committed to transforming plastic waste into innov...

Innovating Thailand's Circular Economy with Sustainable Packaging Thailand is making significant strides in its transition toward a circular economy, driven by innovative partnerships between global and local companies. One such collaboration involves Dow (NYSE: DOW), Copeland, and MMP Corporation, which have introduced a groundbreaking pallet-wrapping film made with 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. This initiative marks a major step forward in sustainable packaging solutions and highlights the potential of circular materials in industrial applications. The new stretch-film is produced using REVOLOOPS Recycled Plastics Resins developed by Dow Thailand. These resins are designed to deliver high performance while significantly reducing environmental impact. According to a product carbon footprint study, the film has 52.5% lower cradle-to-gate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to the global average for virgin linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) production. This ac...

A New Era of Creativity and Sustainability in Nigeria Nigeria is preparing to host Africa’s first recycling festival, the Artistic Pulse Festival (APF), which promises to be a vibrant celebration of creativity, culture, and commerce. This event aims to promote environmental responsibility through recycling and sustainability, making it a unique platform for innovation and community engagement. The five-day festival, scheduled from December 3 to 7 at the Remembrance Arcade in Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, will feature a wide array of activities. Attendees can expect showcases of art, music, fashion, food, film, and technology. Additionally, the event will include symposiums, debates, creative workshops, a children's art gallery and play zone, and performances by both local and international artists. With the theme "Footprints of Interconnectivity, Growth and Expansion: Creativity, Culture, Commerce and Innovation," the festival seeks to connect creativity with sustainabi...

EU Countries Leading in Recycling Efforts The European Union has unveiled its top recyclers, showcasing several countries that have exceeded waste reduction targets ahead of the 2030 goal. According to new data from Eurostat, the EU generated nearly 80 million tonnes of packaging waste in 2023, equating to 177.8kg per inhabitant. While this represents an 8.7kg decrease compared to 2022, it is still 21.2kg higher than in 2013. Packaging waste includes materials used for containing, handling, delivering, or presenting goods. This category encompasses items such as glass bottles, plastic containers, aluminium cans, food wrappers, timber pallets, and drums. In terms of composition, 40.4% of all packaging waste came from paper and cardboard, followed by plastic (19.8%), glass (18.8%), wood (15.8%), metal (4.9%), and “other packaging” (0.2%). The EU’s Top Recyclers In 2023, seven EU countries met the 2030 target of recycling a minimum of 70% of all packaging waste. Belgium led the way w...

Japan's Innovative Approach to Recycling Used Adult Diapers Japan is facing a growing challenge with the increasing volume of used adult diapers, prompting manufacturers to explore innovative recycling methods. These efforts aim to convert waste into valuable resources, reducing reliance on incineration and lowering carbon emissions. The Environment Ministry introduced guidelines in 2020 that encourage the recycling of used diapers, urging private companies and local governments to develop sustainable solutions. This initiative comes as the demand for adult diapers continues to rise, despite a decline in the production of children’s diapers due to Japan's shrinking birthrate. According to the ministry, the share of used diapers in general waste is expected to increase from around 5 percent in fiscal 2020 to about 7 percent by fiscal 2030. This trend highlights the need for effective waste management strategies. Challenges with Incineration Used diapers are typically incin...

China Shares Advanced Waste Paper Recycling Technologies with BR Partners China recently hosted an International Training Workshop on Waste Paper Recycling Technology, where it shared its advanced solutions for waste paper recycling with Pakistan and other members of the BR group. The event was organized by the International Cooperation Department of China's Ministry of Science and Technology and carried out by the China National Pulp and Paper Research Institute. The workshop aimed to promote knowledge exchange and technological collaboration in the paper industry. The 15-day program brought together professionals from 11 countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Nepal. Participants were introduced to China’s state-of-the-art technologies, engineering designs, products, and equipment in the pulp and paper industry. The initiative focused on enhancing understanding and practical skills in waste paper recycling, which is crucial for sustainable development and reso...

The Future of Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling Electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling is emerging as a promising business opportunity, despite the challenges posed by U.S. trade policies and an ongoing economic slowdown. According to management consultancy firm Arthur D Little (ADL), the EV industry is at a pivotal point where sustainability efforts are becoming increasingly important. The focus on recycling aligns with broader global initiatives aimed at promoting environmental responsibility within the automotive sector. Akshay Prasad, principal at ADL’s Southeast Asia automotive and manufacturing practices, emphasized that EV battery recycling could become a key business between 2030 and 2040, shifting the industry’s attention away from battery manufacturing. Lithium-ion batteries, which are widely used in EVs, contain critical raw materials such as lithium iron phosphate (LFP), nickel, manganese, and cobalt. Reusing these materials supports a circular economy for batteries an...

The Potential of Waste Plastics as a Renewable Energy Source Professor James R. Dankwah, a Professor of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa, Western Region, has highlighted an innovative approach to addressing Ghana's energy challenges by utilizing waste plastics as a source of fuel. His insights were shared during an inaugural lecture at UMaT, where he discussed the topic: 'Waste Plastics, a Modern Day Resource Paradox: Leveraging its Positive Attributes for an Environmentally Sustainable Metals Production.' According to Prof. Dankwah, converting waste plastics into fuels such as diesel and petrol could significantly reduce energy costs for the country. He emphasized that while waste plastics have both advantages and disadvantages, the key lies in effective management. "We can set up an oil-making industry in Ghana based solely on plastics and other raw materials available locally," he said, challen...