US mattress recycling programs have recovered 650 million pounds of materials from over 17 million discarded mattresses, addressing landfill issues and machinery damage. While 18 million mattresses are discarded annually, most end up in landfills due to limited specialized facilities, despite 80% recyclability.
Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Fudan University developed a hydrogenolysis method for polyolefins, which constitute over 60% of plastic waste, to convert them into C8-C16 hydrocarbons for aviation fuel under mild conditions, addressing environmental concerns.
Thousands of people in Jakarta rely on the Bantar Gebang landfill for their livelihoods, but the site is over capacity and slated for gradual closure by 2027. This raises concerns about where the waste will go and the future of the informal waste-picking community.
White storks in Europe are increasingly feeding on junk food from rubbish dumps, leading to weight gain and potential long-term health risks, including DNA damage. While this diet offers short-term energy benefits and may aid population growth, it poses new challenges as landfill access changes.
Britons are expected to buy nearly 8 million mini fans this year due to a heatwave, but almost half are predicted to be low-quality and end up in landfill within a year. Concerns are rising over e-waste and fire risks from discarded lithium-ion batteries.
Australian councils are tackling the growing problem of organic waste, which produces potent methane gas in landfills. While kerbside Fogo bins are being rolled out, community-led initiatives like Yimby Castlemaine offer alternative, localized solutions for composting and waste management.
Hong Kong's Environmental Protection Department plans to stop bulk liquid waste, such as expired drinks and detergents, from entering landfills to protect local waters. While conservationists welcome the move, the retail sector fears increased costs.
Volunteers and local residents have cleaned up unauthorized landfills in the Belomorsky reserve and a forestry area near Arkhangelsk, removing 17 tons of waste. The Clean Arctic project plans further cleanup missions in Chukotka and other northern regions.
As of the end of 2025, 15 Chinese provinces and cities, including Beijing and Zhejiang, have achieved 'zero landfill' for domestic waste, with 1137 incineration facilities capable of processing 1.18 million tons daily. This shift from traditional landfilling to incineration and recycling marks a significant step towards ecological protection and resource utilization.
A study by Beyond Plastics tracked 53 Starbucks plastic cups labeled as 'widely recyclable' and found none reached a recycling facility, instead ending up in landfills, incinerators, or transfer stations.
Reports suggest Shein plans to acquire Everlane, a sustainable fashion brand, sparking dismay among advocates. This follows similar trends of brands dropping eco-goals, raising questions about corporate commitment to sustainability versus profit.
A fire at a landfill site in Fife has continued for five days, with three fire crews still working to extinguish it. A union claims staff had to climb a locked gate to escape, which the site operator is investigating.
A Dutch ornithologist, Leo Schilperoord, has been identified as patient zero in a deadly hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship. Authorities suspect he and his wife contracted the virus from rat droppings during a birdwatching trip in Argentina. The outbreak led to multiple deaths and a global health alert.
A Dutch ornithologist, Leo Schilperoord, has been identified as patient zero in a deadly hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship. Authorities suspect he and his wife contracted the virus from rat droppings during a birdwatching trip in Argentina. The outbreak led to multiple deaths and a global health alert.
Israeli restrictions on movement in the West Bank are preventing garbage trucks from reaching landfills, leaving Palestinians surrounded by mounds of trash. Two Palestinian entrepreneurs are working to address this sanitation and environmental crisis affecting local communities.
Bali’s landfill ban leads to waste piling up in streets, burning trash, and health concerns as Indonesia moves to enforce long-delayed rules.
