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The focus of scientists' interest is chitin, a substance that makes up 75 percent of lobster exoskeleton and is also contained in fungal and bacterial pathogens. Photo: Aileen Devlin | Virginia Sea Grant Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0)Aileen Devlin | Virginia Sea Grant Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0)

US potatoes survive pests thanks to lobster shell

Ground shells from lobsters can feed communities of beneficial microbes, creating a line of defense against soil pests. Researchers from University of Maine researchers offer a potential circular solution to safeguard the state's major crop. Which would also avoid tons of waste
The Patrica plant in Lazio is an example of the potential of the circular bioeconomy: Novamont has transformed a historic Italian chemical hub into a highly renewable biopolyester production centre, obtained from materials of vegetable origin. PHOTO: NovamontNovamont

Circular bioeconomy, biobased industries need specific codes

Interview with Giulia Gregori, Strategic Planning and Corporate Communication manager of Novamont: "We will thus be able to enhance the contribution of biobased products to decarbonisation and soil protection"
Il compost è un fertilizzante naturale estremamente utile in agricoltura, che riduce l'uso dei prodotti chimici e valorizza la frazione umida dei rifiuti urbani (la cosiddetta FORSU). FOTO: Matteo Berlenga

Plastic, glass, metals: the “enemies” that dirty the compost

The alarm emerges from a series of video interviews with managers of composting plants carried out by the italian Biorepack consortium. Too high percentages of "foreign fractions" (up to 12%) make it more difficult and expensive to make compost. On the other hand, compostable, flexible and rigid bioplastics were promoted with flying colors: "very useful for increasing quantity and quality of the final product"
Efficient sewage management can recover important soil nutrients. Photo: Christine Johnstone Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)Christine Johnstone Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

New sewage management brings benefits to soil, EEA says

A decentralized sewage treatment offers better opportunities for the development of circular solutions even for arable land, a European Environment Agency analysis says
Pollution alert: There are 10 million potentially contaminated sites worldwide. Photo: Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

FAO launches its mission against global soil pollution

The UN organization presents the International Network on Soil Pollution, a project to tackle contamination and restore damaged lands. Fixing the problem - says FAO - is crucial to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals
The EU wants to adapt regulations on recoverable waste transfer to the needs of circular economy. Photo: Pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredPxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

Urgent need to support European market for recyclable materials, says EEA

The growth of non-hazardous recoverable waste trade within the European market represents an opportunity for the circular economy, says the EU Environment Agency. The sector is already worth 12 billion but can grow further by creating new opportunities and improving the quality of recycling
The resolution passed on Wednesday, March 2 in Nairobi aims to drastically reduce plastic production and consumption worldwide. Photo: UNEP Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)UNEP Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

UN agrees to introduce a legally binding agreement on plastic in 2024

A new committee will work toward global regulation of plastic industry. By the end of 2024, countries will have to commit to implementing new manufacturing and design solutions based on circular economy principles
The presence of hazardous chemicals in beef suggests previous soil contamination. Photo: Lance Cheung, U.S. Department of Agriculture Public Domain Mark 1.0Photo: Lance Cheung, U.S. Department of Agriculture Public Domain Mark 1.0

Chemicals in meat and soil raise concern in US, The Guardian writes

A contamination event in Michigan raises some alarm about dangerous chemicals infiltrating the soil and harming the food chain. US authorities' policy remains controversial, the British newspaper says.
A circular innovation for Africa: recycling coconut waste reduces timber consumption and deforestation. Photo: Freetown sl Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Freetown sl Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The story of Alhaji, the startupper who is curbing deforestation with coconut waste

Una soluzione circolare contro la deforestazione in Africa Occidentale. Alhaji Siraj Bah, giovanissimo innovatore di Freetown, in Sierra Leone, scommette sui residui del cocco per offrire un’alternativa ai prodotti derivati dal legno
Mushrooms are able to absorb and break down many toxic substances, thus restoring soil health. Photo: Raffael Herrmann cc0.photo public domainPhoto: Raffael Herrmann cc0.photo public domain

Oil-eating mushrooms bring contaminated soil back to life

U.S. researchers test the ability of mushrooms to absorb and break down soil contaminants. A strategy to restore land by reducing the weight of waste

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It’s beneath our feet but we never think about its value. We tread on it, we mistreat it, but a healthy, fertile soil means life. It’s time to take care of the soil and each one of us can and must make a difference.

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