With less than 10 percent of the plastic used across the world recycled, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), here are five things to know about recycling techniques and how they are evolving.Mechanical RecyclingSorting, shredding and heating are the three stages of mechanical recycling employed in 99 percent of operations worldwide, France's IFP Energies Nouvelles institute says.After collection and sorting into polymer groups by optical equipm

Less than a century ago, most products in Asia were made mainly from natural materials, and were built to last or to biodegrade easily.

Plastic consumption has exploded over the years. This has caused plastic waste production worldwide to steadily increased by 10 million metric tons every year in the last 10 years, to reach almost 360 million metric tons in 2018.The plastic crisis is one of the greatest challenges facing planet earth.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a new normal of wearing face masks and social distancing as part of governments’ preventive measures against the deadly virus. ASEAN member state Malaysia, some parts of Europe and the United Kingdom (UK) have even made it compulsory to wear face masks when out in public areas.

The oceans increasingly face a growing threat from plastics. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the world produces approximately 300 million tonnes of plastic waste every year, and most of this plastic ends up in the world’s oceans.Oceana, an international organisation focused on ocean conservation, estimates that 18.2 trillion pounds of virgin plastics have been produced to date.“Most plastic items never fully disappear; they just get smaller and

Oceans play an essential role for life on earth by generating most of the oxygen we breathe, providing us with food, regulating our climate, cleaning the water we drink and delivering a variety of valuable ingredients for medicinal uses.However, humans are continuously threatening the oceans by carrying out destructive fishing practices, overfishing, and creating pollution which in turn leads to coral bleaching and other impacts from climate change.

Plastic consumption has exploded over the years. This has caused plastic waste production worldwide to steadily increased by 10 million metric tons every year in the last 10 years, to reach almost 360 million metric tons in 2018.The plastic crisis is one of the greatest challenges facing planet earth.

Both Japan and Jakarta have implemented new bans on single-use plastic shopping bags on 1 July, 2020.  The Minister of the Environment of Japan, Shinjiro Koizumi, said that Japan aims to increase the percentage of people who do not receive plastic bags up to 60 percent by the end of this year. As a result of the new regulations in Japan and Jakarta, many people started to use their own bags for shopping.

There is no denying that single-use plastic has been a lifesaver in the fight against COVID-19, especially for frontline health workers. It has also facilitated adherence to social-distancing rules, by enabling home delivery of basic goods, especially food.

Thai retailers kicked off 2020 with a ban on single-use plastic bags, joining the battle against throwaway carriers in the Southeast Asian nation where citizens go through an average of eight every day. The move, taken on Wednesday by several major mall operators and the ubiquitous 7/11 convenience stores, will see customers instead paying a small fee for a reusable bag made of a cloth-like fabric. Thailand is one of the largest contributors to ocean pollution, with plastic