Renewable plastics and industry news for designers and manufacturers of consumer products
What does “unbiased” mean when the Plastics Research Council built the chatbot?
That’s the question I took to Verdant — the Plastics Research Council‘s new AI chatbot, marketed as “no hype, no panic, just unbiased data, based
Can plastic particles cross the blood–brain barrier?
It hasn’t been demonstrated, according to the Plastics Research Council. But, whoops, it has! The evidence isn’t proof that the quantities we encounter every day
Plasticenta: Are Microplastics making their way into the placenta
The Plastics Research Council says “possibly,” while the latest scientific research says YES! There is no proof of harm, but we urgently need more research
Have microplastics been found in human blood?
The Plastics Research Council (PRC) says yes — but then casts doubt on the evidence. There’s a problem with that story. My latest deep dive
Plastics are buried in our lungs – heres what the Plastic Research Council didn’t what you to know
The Plastic Research Council discusses one report on microplastics found in our lungs and mentions another 5 in their references (but these are not discussed)
More missing reports from the Plastic Research Council
In Part 2 of this ongoing series, I look at female reproductive health and evidence of the presence of microplastics that is strangely missing from
A closer look at the Plastics Research Council’s new Microplastics Evidence Review.
I’ve taken a close look at the Plastics Research Council’s new Microplastics Evidence Review. It presents itself as a comprehensive, independently reviewed assessment of the
Plastics Research Council – new microplastics report – does it pass peer review? (3 of 3)
Perplexity’s Peer Review of the Plastics Research Council’s report on Microplastics Recommendation: Major revision The Plastics Research Council (PRC) has recently published a 92-page report on
Plastics Research Council – new microplastics report – does it pass peer review? (2 of 3)
Claude Peer Review of the Plastics Research Council’s report on Microplastics The Plastics Research Council (PRC) has recently published a 92-page report on microplastics which
Plastics Research Council – new microplastics report – does it pass peer review? (1 of 3)
Chat GPT’s Peer Review of the Plastics Research Council’s report on Microplastics Overall recommendation: Major revision The Plastics Research Council (PRC) has recently published a
How much plastic is in our brains?
Is there a plastic spoon in your brain? Probably not. The sensational “plastic spoon” headline was widely reported last year and quickly dismissed by the
Advanced recycling in retreat
The industry promised to solve the plastics crisis by introducing new recycling technologies; however, these new facilities are being closed or abandoned before they are
Industry-Funded Report on Plastic Degradation: Can you belive it?
A slick new report from the Plastics Research Council claims to “debunk” the idea that plastics persist for centuries, arguing they actually degrade within months.
Does plastic save more fossil fuel than it uses during production?
“Did you know that plastic in fact save[s] more fossil fuel than it uses during production. This is due to light weighting in packaging and
Inside Australia’s Broken Waste System – the scandals that rocked the industry
🧨 Major Waste System Scandals in Australia – according to ChatGPT! 1. REDcycle’s Collapse — Stockpiling Instead of Recycling Australia’s largest soft-plastics recycling program, REDcycle,
Fashion pivots to recycled polyester to reduce impacts – but they are making it worse?
For years, the fashion industry has sold recycled polyester as a sustainability win — a way to cut waste, reduce virgin plastic, and “close the
The Holy Grail of Plastics? Plastic That Vanishes in the Ocean
Scientists in Japan may have just developed what some are calling the perfect plastic—a plant-based material that fully degrades in saltwater and leaves behind zero
The 5 biggest plastic scandals in Australia … according to ChatGPT
Here are five of the biggest plastics-related scandals or controversies in Australia — ranging from failed recycling schemes and greenwashing corporate conduct to broader systemic
Are you happy with Big Oil teaching your kids about climate?
A new investigation has revealed that a Shell subsidiary has paid more than AUD 10 million to the Queensland Museum over the past decade —
Still under 1%: EUBP talks up growth but bioplastics are not the answer
European Bioplastics (EUBP) has released its 2025 Bioplastics Market Development Update, presenting an optimistic picture of industry growth. But behind the upbeat messaging lies a
APCO voluntary targets fail again.. and the plastic result is a joke.
The latest figures from APCO clearly demonstrate that voluntary industry commitments are not working – especially when it comes to plastics The Australian Packaging Covenant
Can bamboo bioplastic really replace fossil based plastics/
Researchers have developed a new bioplastic made from bamboo. According to a recent report by World Bio Market Insights, scientists have engineered a bamboo-derived plastic
Plastic Recycling Promises Are Falling Apart
Great article today in Chemical & Engineering News examining why the recycling of plastics is failing, despite widespread commitments by consumer-goods firms to ramp up
Aussie compostable wrap pioneer Great Wrap collapses
Victorian start-up Great Wrap, once hailed as a leader in compostable packaging, has gone into liquidation with debts of more than A$39 million. Founded in
Aussies brewing plastics from seaweed
Perth start-up, Uluu is tackling the plastic problem with a radically different approach: brewing plastics from seaweed. Founded in 2021, Uluu uses red seaweed (Gracilaria)
Coloured Lives of Plastic: A History of Colour in Plastic Furniture Design
I’m excited to share that my latest article, ‘Coloured Lives of Plastic: A History of Colour in Plastic Furniture Design,‘ has just been published in the Color,
If chemical recycling is the answer to the plastics crisis, why are projects being abandoned?
At the failed sixth round of UN talks to negotiate a plastics treaty, the petrochemical industry argued that recycling is the answer to the plastics
If the solution to the plastics crisis is recycling, why are recyclers closing?
Plastic production is increasing by at least 4% each year, with devastating environmental consequences. The industry solution is to promote recycling. It has hired over
Expecting unbiased reporting on the plastic treaty negotiation?
DeSmog has uncovered that the petrochemical industry hijacked EU-funded journalist training to promote recycling as the only solution needed to solve the plastic crisis. What happened?In
Five reasons why negotiating a legally binding plastics treaty won’t happen
The world is currently facing a US $1.5 trillion‑per‑year health crisis from plastic pollution, which affects people from infancy through old age. A Lancet review highlights disease
From futuristic design icon to environmental villain – the 80-year history of the plastic chair
Check out my short article on The Conversation summarising my research and book on plastics in design.
Trump’s actions to ‘Make America Healthy Again’.
Trump has exempted more than 50 chemical manufacturers and oil refineries from requirements to cut emissions of toxic chemicals, including ethylene oxide (used to make
USA EPA backs away from regulating chemical recycling – despite rising health concerns
In a deeply concerning move, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has withdrawn its proposed rules that would have imposed stricter regulations on chemical recycling
What is our main industry body doing to reduce plastic waste?
Not much, it would seem. In Australia, we have so far relied on voluntary commitments from industry to tackle the plastic waste challenge created by
A chair with much room
Claimed as the world’s first mycelium-composite chair, the Banet Dining Chair features wool or vegan cotton batting, with plant-based, fire-resistant, comfort foam and PHA feet.
What Does ‘Bio-Attributed’ Really Mean in Your Running Shoes?
A new line of trainers from On incorporates a renewables-based ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) grade designed specifically for use in midsoles. By using the new
Getting high with hemp
For the latest issue of Bioplastics Magazine, I wrote an article looking at the chairs made from bioplastics or natural fibres from the 60 chairs
Advanced recyling – solution to the plastic crisis or advanced greenwashing?
The Center for Climate Integrity’s report, The Fraud of Advanced Recycling, reveals that the plastics industry has been promoting “advanced recycling”—the industry’s more palatable and
Can a single Australian solve the plastis crisis?
Maisy Whitehead, a 20-year-old Australian University of York’s School for Business and Society student, claims to have developed a fully sustainable and biodegradable bio-polymer. This
Padel’s Plastic Problem: The hidden cost of a booming sport
Padel is another fast-growing sport similar to tennis or squash. Like pickleball, padel is quickly attracting new players at all levels, with 30 million active
Accessorise with shoes and handbags made from spice
An Israeli company, Balena, has developed BioCir, a biobased material that is fully recyclable or biodegradable (in commercial composting facilities). Three variants of the material
Lighting up the sheep in Milan
The Big Glow is a new lighting collection designed by Amsterdam-based Studio Truly Truly for Rakumba, a long-established lighting manufacturer. Blending sustainable materials with refined
Stop greenwashing ocean plastics or get a fine
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is taking a global leadership position on abuse of the term ocean plastics. Often, as in this case,
Fueling the Narrative: How a PR Giant Shaped Australia’s Oil Future
A fascinating account of how a PR company facilitated the rise of big oil in Australia has been documented by DeSmog. This deserves wider exposure
Bio-based (well partly), pricey, and delicate: Gucci’s Cub3d sneakers
Gucci has launched a range of sneakers that are 3D printed using Demetra for the upper, ‘crafted from at least 70% raw materials from renewable
Put a cork in it
Amorim, the world’s largest producer, supplier, and distributor of cork stoppers has diversified to develop materials for use in architecture and fashion. In addition, the
Still drinking water from plastic bottels? Read this…
A recent study found evidence of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNP) accumulating in our bodies. What was surprising about this study is that it has previously been
Plastic Reinvented: The Future of Eco-Friendly Design on March25 – you are invited in person or online!
Plastics are everywhere—but at what cost? With rising environmental and health concerns, the need for sustainable materials has never been more urgent. Plastics dominate consumer
Chairs that eat themselves
Heller is shaking up the plastic furniture industry by embedding their products with an organic enzyme that speeds up the biodegradation process once products are
New Book: “Rethinking Plastics in Product Design” Urges Design to Lead the Transition to Sustainable Materials
My book is finally launched today – readers can get a 20% discount by using code GLR BD8 in the checkout on the Bloomsbury website.
Ditch plastic and stick mushrooms in your ears!
Globally 40 billion earplugs are manufactured every year. That’s enough to wrap around the world 100 times if they were laid out end to end
Can you believe it? – Good news from America!
MillerKnoll has announced a sustainability strategy focused on delivering three commitments: Carbon – strive to design the lowest carbon-footprint products and commit to achieving net-zero
Rethinking Foam: Greener Solutions for Furniture & Footwear
This is the second article examining more sustainable alternatives to virgin PU foam. In the first article, we looked at developments using lignin. In this
What is that takeaway coffee really costing you? A flat white with two spoons of plastic please.
Your coffee habit might be setting you back $6 a cup or more but the impact on your wallet is nothing compared to what it
Find replacements for virgin fossil plastics: Your Go-To Resources for Plastic-Free Innovation
Commercial enterprises and academia are constantly researching and developing new bio-based materials and recycled plastics suitable to replace virgin fossil plastics in consumer goods. Keeping
Soft, Strong, and Sustainable? The Quest for Better Foam
Polyurethane (PU) foam is widely used to provide softness and comfort when padding is needed for furniture, packaging, insulation, or other consumer goods, like the
Thanks President Trump
Addressing one of America’s biggest concerns, paper straws have been banned across America. Supporters across the States can now slurp on their super-sized soft drinks
Two-thirds of your wardrobe is made from oil
In 1960 nearly all our clothes (95%) were made from natural fibres. By 2023 synthetic fibres grew from just 3% in 1960 to 68% in
Refuse Derived Fiction – How Australia hides is plastic waste problem
You can’t manage what you can’t measure, is a popular mantra taught to business students. But on the brighter side – if you can’t
Wot a useless piece of s*&#
The appliance you have been waiting for – an AI-enabled robot that can blow on our food was launched at the recent CE show in
Great train wrecks of Australia – Recycling
SBS are keen recyclers. Letters and Numbers with Richard Morecroft finished filming is 2012 but still regularly features in early evening viewing. Great Train Journeys
Reimagining Upholstery: Foam Without Compromise
Finding alternatives to traditional plastic foams is one of the big challenges facing designers and manufacturers seeking to lower the impact of their work when
From corn starch to stylish: Eco-friendly lamps
ALT design, based in France, have released a light made from polylactic acid (PLA) made from corn starch and additive manufacturing. Alexandre Touguet and Lise
Can we 3D print a better future?
3D printing has long been touted as a technology that can reduce the environmental impact of products by eliminating or significantly reducing distribution impacts. However,
It’s a croc of…
recycled plastic. Crocs the comfortable, yet many would say ugly, footwear company has launched a new version of their popular slip-on. Using recycled plastic, recovered
Plastic recycling is it just bull*&$t? How the Plastics Industry Misled Us All
Despite billions of (often public) dollars being spent to facilitate the collection and recycling of plastic waste, less than 10% of all the plastic ever
EU’s Car Recycling Mandate: Are cars really getting greener?
The first part of this article focused on the impact of EU legislation in driving investment in recycling plastics from end-of-life vehicles. Increasing the supply
Legislation Sparks a Circular Revolution in the Automotive Industry
Much has been written about self-driving cars, but equally significant technological innovations and advances in the automotive industry are being driven by legislation. The European
Can Lego become a green giant?
Last year Lego announced it had abandoned plans to switch to making bricks from recycled PET. The two-year project aimed at replacing ABS was part
Concrete vs. Plastic: Can Recycled Materials Reshape Construction?
Concrete manufacturing is an energy-intensive process that accounts for eight percent of GHG emissions. Many academic and industry-based researchers are focused on the production process
Are bio-based materials really biodegradable?
Everything will decompose eventually – it just takes hundreds of years for fossil-based plastics to disappear. Of course, they don’t really disappear, they just break
Pickleballs are piling up
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States. Introduced in 1965 it had attracted nearly 9 million players by 2022 and international interest is
Recyclable wind farms
Wind turbine blades have a life expectancy of around twenty years. As they are usually made from composites containing carbon fibre and can’t be recycled
Everyone likes a fungi
Mycelium, the vegetative part of fungi, grows by digesting organic material including low-cost agricultural waste streams (such as cotton, corn, wheat, hemp, and flax residues),
Luxury Handbag Market Faces Eco Crisis—Who’s Fighting Back?
The luxury handbag market is estimated to be worth a staggering US$72.7 billion (in 2023) and consumes between 5 and 10% of global leather production
What a load of wrap
It’s hard to deny that cling film is a useful product in the kitchen. When used to wrap prepared food or unused veggies it can
Plastic roofs and platic walls
In the 1940s, industry commentators predicted that plastics would surround our lives. For example, in 1942 the Australian Woman’s Mirror claimed: “You will soon rise
Are your trainers really green?
Running shoes and athletic footwear are usually made from a range of plastic foams and fabrics which are stitched or glued together, effectively preventing recycling
A plastic chair has grown into an enterprise
Jane Atfield was among the first to use recycled plastics to make consumer goods, with the 1992 release of the RCP2 Chair. Atfield made her
3D printed parts reinforced with contiuous carbon fibre
Reinforce 3D, a Spanish start-up, has developed a technique to insert continuous carbon firbe strands (4-8mm in diameter) into 3D printed components. This exciting development
Do bioplastics compete with agricuture?
We are often told that the downside of bioplastics is that it competes with agricultural production. First-generation bioplastics like PLA are frequently made from corn
Build a house with recycled plastics
An Australian company, Studio Kite, has developed a range of enormous 3D printers specifically designed to create models and props for the film and TV
An environmentally friendly alternative to strengthen plastics
Environmentally conscious designers and manufacturers are increasingly looking for recycled plastics and bioplastics to replace virgin fossil plastics. It is often challenging to find suitable
Colour is not the only unusual thing about this office chair from Ahrend
The Remode is claimed to be the most sustainable task chair available. Designed by Ben van Berkel of UNStudio, the Remode is fully modular (so
Not just a new material – a new production ecosystem
It’s an exciting time in the world of materials with universities and start-ups seemingly announcing alternatives to virgin fossil plastics almost every day. Many research
Pendant light created using 3D-printed PLA
The Hedron Pendant is a 3D-printed chandelier or pendant light made from PLA (Polylactic Acid). The shape is developed from a polyhedron, in this case,
Mass-balance – is it a con?
Mass balance is being promoted by plastic manufacturers (particularly BASF) as the solution to the recycling crisis. But are ‘mass-balanced’ plastics the same as recycled
Moving the goal posts – US Plastics Pact
70 large businesses in the states have agreed to delay key sustainability targets from 2025 to 2030. The original pact had 4 targets: – Define
The post-plastic economy
A new white paper from Plastic Free outlines the financial risks of continuing to use plastic. The first half of this report summarises the problems
Renewable plastics in design
Welcome to this blog devoted to discussing the latest innovations in renewable plastics and plastic industry news relevant to designers. Production of plastics is set
Mat Chair
The Mat Chair features a shell made from hemp stems and eelgrass and powder coated steel legs. The lighter version of the shell contains hemp
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