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Waste

The Waste section examines how societies produce, manage, and rethink the materials we discard. Here you’ll find stories on circular economy models, recycling realities, plastic pollution, food waste, and the innovations — small and large — that aim to reduce our collective footprint.

We look beyond simple solutions to uncover the economic, cultural, and policy dynamics that shape global waste systems. This category offers practical insight and critical context for anyone interested in transforming a throwaway culture into one where resources are valued and cycles are closed.

Mixed greeting cards on a wooden table beside a plantable seed paper card in soil with small green sprouts

Why Greeting Cards Deserve a Better Second Life

March 30, 2026 by Brett Stadelmann

Many greeting cards are designed for a very short life. Why materials, waste, and plantable alternatives deserve more attention.

Categories Waste Tags Ecology, Environment, Lifestyle, Waste
Analytical laboratory bench with waste containers, disposable gloves, solvent bottles, and testing equipment, showing the material intensity of routine lab work.

The Hidden Waste Systems of Laboratories

March 30, 2026 by Brett Stadelmann

Labs consume large amounts of energy and generate waste streams that cannot simply be dropped into ordinary recycling systems.

Categories Waste Tags Business, Climate, Ecology, Environment, Ethics, Politics, Pollution, Sustainability, Waste
Hospital treatment room with packaged single-use medical supplies, gloves, tubing, and trays spread across a stainless steel table while a staff member works in the background.

Rethinking Healthcare Waste: From Treatment to Technology

March 24, 2026 by Brett Stadelmann

Rethinking healthcare waste means looking beyond bins and disposal, toward fragmented care, medical devices, facility design, and more efficient long-term systems.

Categories Waste Tags Health, Waste
Waste and Landfills: An endless sea of trash with the ocean in the distance

Waste and Landfills: A Guide for Environmental Protection

February 12, 2026 by Brett Stadelmann

Waste and Landfills are examined in detail, including how organizations can manage garbage, and how recycling and other solutions can help with the issue.

Categories Waste Tags Business, Climate, Ethics, Plastic, Politics, Waste
Field of solar panels - Disposing of Green Energy Tech in the Circular Economy

Disposing of Green Energy Tech in the Circular Economy

February 12, 2026 by Amanda Winstead

Solar panels, EV batteries and wind turbines cut emissions—but they also create waste. Here’s how circular design, take-back and recycling can keep it out of landfill.

Categories Waste Tags Business, Environment, Renewables, Sustainability, Waste
Microplastics: Worn plastic cutting board with heavy knife marks beside chopped vegetables and a kitchen knife.

Your Dinner Plate May Contain Microplastics

February 11, 2026February 10, 2026 by Gaytri Soni

Microplastics are turning up in food, water, and even our bodies. Here’s what the evidence says, which foods show contamination, and how to reduce exposure.

Categories Waste Tags Environment, Health, Lifestyle, Plastic, Waste
corporate office ev bike parking transition

Carbon-Conscious Corporations: Real Pathways to Net Zero

January 15, 2026January 15, 2026 by Brett Stadelmann

How carbon-conscious corporations pursue net zero in practice — emissions scopes, credible targets, risks, and real-world progress.

Categories Waste Tags Business, Carbon, Environment, Ethics, Pollution, Sustainability, Waste
1000962512 1

Turning Waste into Gold, Actualising the Circular Economy

January 14, 2026 by Deogracias Benjamin Kalima

In Malawi, artisans and youth groups are transforming discarded plastics, paper and tyres into baskets, briquettes and bricks—turning waste into livelihoods.

Categories Waste Tags Business, Deogracias Benjamin Kalima, Environment, Ethics, Politics, Sustainability, Waste
Urban Composting in 2026: A Practical Guide

Urban Composting in 2026: A Practical Guide

January 4, 2026 by Shubh Mathur

A practical 2026 guide to composting in apartments and cities—choose the right system, avoid smells and pests, and keep organics out of landfill.

Categories Waste Tags Gardening, Lifestyle, Organic farming, Organic food, Waste, Zero-waste
image 12

The Truth About Biodegradable PPE — Is It Really the Future?

February 1, 2026December 22, 2025 by Mia Barnes

Biodegradable PPE is widely seen as an innovation that greatly reduces this paradoxical harm. But is it truly a viable path forward?

Categories Waste, Stories on Sustainability Tags Environment, Recycling, Waste
The Truth About Corporate Tech Waste and Carbon Footprint:

The Truth About Corporate Tech Waste and Carbon Footprint

November 18, 2025 by Brett Stadelmann

Tech waste makes up just 2% of landfill mass but creates 70% of toxic waste. Let’s take a closer look.

Categories Waste Tags Business, Environment, Pollution, Sustainability, Waste
Waste-to-Energy and Landfill Diversion: Balancing Environmental & Business Imperatives

Waste-to-Energy Systems and Landfill Diversion Programs

September 19, 2025 by Brett Stadelmann

Waste-to-energy (WTE) systems and landfill diversion programs: Businesses are learning to extract electricity, heat, or reusable inputs from waste materials. 

Categories Waste Tags Business, Environment, Politics, Sustainability, Waste
In Pursuit of Clean Cooking Energy in Malawi

In Pursuit of Clean Cooking Energy in Malawi

July 21, 2025July 9, 2025 by Deogracias Benjamin Kalima

Lack of clean cooking technologies in Malawi, as in much of the rest of the world, is a large problem, resulting in the problematic use of wood or charcoal.

Categories Waste Tags Climate, Deogracias Benjamin Kalima, Ecology, Environment, Lifestyle, Pollution, Sustainability, Waste
Urban mining

Urban Mining — Harvesting Building Materials From the Cities of Today for Tomorrow

June 27, 2025 by Rose Morrison

The practice of urban mining has encouraged sustainability-minded people to think differently about sourcing construction materials. Instead of extracting resources from the planet, this process reuses materials that people would otherwise discard.

Categories Stories on Sustainability, Waste
Food Waste Due to Recalls: The Environmental Implications

Food Waste Due to Recalls: The Environmental Implications

May 28, 2025 by Brett Stadelmann

From your home to the local landfills, the ramifications of food recalls are far and wide. Here are 10 lesser-known effects of these critical announcements.

Categories Waste
Three people sitting at a long central table in an office building with low-walled cubicles - Environmental Health and Safety: The Role of Technology

Environmental Health and Safety: The Role of Technology

June 29, 2025April 19, 2025 by Mia Barnes

Workplaces are adapting to those evolving influences by merging advanced tech tools with environmental health and safety strategies.

Categories Waste Tags Business, Climate, Environment, Sustainability, Waste
Hino Standardized SCR Unit which combines Diesel Particulate Reduction System (DPR) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) to reduce pollution from the exhaust. DEF and the Drive for Green Freight Solutions

DEF and the Drive for Green Freight Solutions

April 12, 2025 by Jack Shaw

While solutions like electric and hydrogen-powered trucks are gaining ground, Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) has become a proven tool for today’s diesel fleets.

Categories Waste Tags Business, Pollution, Waste
Leveraging Industry 4.0 for a Greener Future

Leveraging Industry 4.0 for a Greener Future

December 15, 2025March 9, 2025 by Jack Shaw

The Fourth Industrial Revolution has inspired today with critical technological advancements. Here’s how to leverage Industry 4.0 for a greener future.

Categories Waste Tags Business, Plastic, Politics, Pollution, Sustainability, Waste
Food Waste and Climate Change

Leftovers and Landfills: The Alarming Reality of Food Waste and Climate Change

December 15, 2025February 20, 2025 by Rose Morrison

Food waste and climate change are interrelated. Food waste is a massive, unchecked problem in most countries and it’s terrible for the planet.

Categories Stories on Sustainability, Waste Tags Climate, Environment, Sustainability, Waste
Food in a non-stick pan.

Are Non-Stick Pans Dangerous? What You Should Know

December 31, 2024 by Beth Rush

Are non-stick pans dangerous? Possibly. Let’s take a closer look at the details and discuss the risks and alternatives.

Categories Waste Tags Health, Lifestyle, Sustainability, Waste
A dried section of a "fatberg". Discussing the dangers of fatbergs.

The Hidden Dangers of Fatbergs on the Environment

March 31, 2026December 23, 2024 by Rose Morrison

Fatbergs are solidified fat, oil and grease around wet wipes, sanitary pads and other nonbiodegradable products. They cause massive blockages in sewer lines.

Categories Waste Tags Environment, Ethics, Plastic, Waste
Everything You Need to Know About Responsible Disposal of Holiday Waste

The Responsible Disposal of Holiday Waste: An In-Depth Guide

November 26, 2024 by Mia Barnes

Holidays are meant for giving. The best gift you can give yourself, your family and your community is to be responsible for your holiday waste. Let’s discuss.

Categories Waste Tags Environment, Lifestyle, Plastic, Sustainability, Waste
A patch of rusted metal, showing through cracked and flaking paint - The Environmental Impact of Paint: Lead, VOC’s, Microplastics and More

The Impact of Paint on the Environment and Human Health

October 28, 2024October 28, 2024 by Ellen Rubin

Paint serves a useful purpose, but many traditional formulations contain lead, harmful VOCs, and microplastics. Let’s look at the details and explore alternatives.

Categories Waste Tags Ecology, Ellen Rubin, Environment, Ethics, Health, Lifestyle, Plastic, Politics, Pollution, Sustainability, Waste
The COVID-19 Plastic Crisis: From Masks to Marine Debris

The COVID-19 Plastic Crisis: From Masks to Marine Debris

September 4, 2024 by Ana Yong

The covid-19 pandemic has highlighted vulnerabilities in our waste management systems and underscored the need for more sustainable practices and materials.

Categories Waste Tags Crises, Environment, Ethics, Health, Lifestyle, Plastic, Pollution, Sustainability, Waste
Classroom tables, chairs, and books. The Circular Classroom: Pioneering Sustainability in Education

The Circular Classroom: Pioneering Sustainability in Education

August 11, 2024 by Bailey Ramsey

Discover all about the circular classroom concept, including the practical steps, success stories, and benefits of fostering environmentally conscious students.

Categories Waste Tags Climate, Ecology, Education, Environment, Equality, Ethics, Politics, Pollution, Sustainability, Waste
A woman bending to pick up litter while a man jogs alongside, with a garbage bag, at a plogging event in Kent, England

Plogging: Exploring the Swedish Eco-Friendly Fitness Trend

June 17, 2024 by Mia Barnes

What is plogging, and why is this trend exactly what people and the planet need right now? We take a closer look at this healthy and invigorating new hobby.

Categories Waste Tags Ecology, Environment, Ethics, Health, Lifestyle, Plastic, Sustainability, Waste
Why Brooklyn Is the Sustainability Hub of NYC

Why Brooklyn Is the Sustainability Hub of NYC

December 6, 2025April 20, 2024 by Brett Stadelmann

Whether you’re curious about moving to Brooklyn, need a vacation, or want to find the sustainable hub of New York City, Brooklyn has so much to offer!

Categories Waste Tags Business, Climate, Environment, Ethics, Lifestyle, Plastic, Sustainability, Travel, Waste
Surfers’ Role in Bali's Fight Against Plastic Waste

Surfers’ Role in Bali’s Fight Against Plastic Waste

June 11, 2024March 20, 2024 by Emma Bukowski

A closer look at everyday people, surfers, fighting the plastic waste problem in Bali, where the future of beaches is now looking just a little more positive.

Categories Waste Tags Environment, Ethics, Lifestyle, Plastic, Politics, Pollution, Sustainability, Waste
Mr. Vance Hilderman, is the principal founder/CTO of three of the world’s most significant aviation development/certification companies including TekSci, HighRely, and AFuzion. Are SAFs the Best Way to Address Aviation Emissions?

Are SAFs the Best Way to Address Aviation Emissions?

June 11, 2024January 16, 2024 by Vance Hilderman

As air travel shows no signs of slowing, decarbonizing aviation is a difficult but essential goal. We look at the role of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs).

Categories Waste Tags Business, Climate, Environment, Politics, Pollution, Sustainability, Waste
The Environmental Toll of Waste - Looking out at a cold, bleak oceans from a rocky shore

The Environmental Toll of Waste: A Closer Look

December 4, 2023 by dan-nienhauser

In this article, we discuss the environmental toll of waste, and how a transition to a circular economy is paramount to providing a clean, livable future.

Categories Waste Tags Climate, Environment, Ethics, Plastic, Pollution, Sustainability, Waste
The Colossal Cost of Plastic Pollution - The Surprising Complexities of Ocean Cleanup

The Surprising Complexities of Ocean Cleanup: 6 Key Facts

November 12, 2023 by Jane Marsh

In this look at the complexities of ocean cleanup, we dive into why removing waste can present so many challenges and whether scientists can overcome them.

Categories Waste Tags Ecology, Environment, Ethics, Plastic, Pollution, Waste
Recycling in the UK: Facts, Figures, Issues, and Initiatives

Recycling in the UK: Facts, Figures, Issues, and Initiatives

October 15, 2024November 4, 2023 by Kate Sheppard

In this article, we explore the state of recycling in the UK, issues the country is facing in its waste management efforts, and various positive initiatives.

Categories Waste Tags Environment, Plastic, Recycling, Waste
Sand made from glass recycling

Glass Recycling and Climate Change: Insights for the Future

October 21, 2023August 26, 2023 by Cynthia Andela

In this article, we delve into the importance of sustainable practices and the role of glass recycling in addressing the challenges posed by climate change.

Categories Waste Tags Climate, Ecology, Environment, Ethics, Plastic, Pollution, Renewables, Sustainability, Waste
Minimizing E-waste In The Digital Age: A PC open with it's various internal parts on display

Minimizing E-waste In The Digital Age – The Green Revolution

December 9, 2025July 24, 2023 by Olivia Benson

A discussion of the Green Revolution, with a focus on minimizing E-waste, and why this global issue requires a concerted effort to address in the Digital Age.

Categories Waste Tags Environment, Ethics, Plastic, Pollution, Sustainability, Waste
People around the Kaaba - Hajj 2023 Leads the Way Towards Sustainable Pilgrimage

Hajj 2023 Leads the Way Towards Sustainable Pilgrimage

October 21, 2023July 8, 2023 by Mohammed Khaja Qutubuddin

A look at the eco-friendly initiatives and practices implemented for Hajj 2023, showing how a spiritual journey can be aligned with environmental stewardship.

Categories Waste Tags Climate, Environment, Ethics, Lifestyle, Plastic, Politics, Sustainability, Waste
The Role of Design in a Circular Economy: 3 Key Categories

The Role of Design in a Circular Economy: 3 Key Categories

October 21, 2023May 10, 2023 by Divya Gujar

We explore the role of design in a circular economy from a regenerative and social perspective, and discuss how designers can contribute to a more just future.

Categories Waste Tags Design, Environment, Ethics, Lifestyle, Plastic, Renewables, Sustainability, Waste
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In the spirit of reconciliation Unsustainable Magazine acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to the Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

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