Episodes

  • Can we recycle our way out of the plastic crisis?

    Can we recycle our way out of the plastic crisis?
    Jul 21 2023
    Globally only 9% of all plastic waste is recycled. But why are mechanical recycling rates so low? And could chemical recycling help achieve our targets or is this the wrong approach to the plastic waste problem?
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    44 mins
  • Why don't we use more bioplastics?

    Why don't we use more bioplastics?
    Jul 14 2023
    Substituting fossil-based plastics with compostable ones could help address plastic pollution. But not all bioplastics are eco-friendly or biodegradable. A startup from the UK says seaweed is the answer.
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    35 mins
  • Could plastic-eating enzymes help curb pollution?

    Could plastic-eating enzymes help curb pollution?
    Jul 7 2023
    Each year, millions of tons of plastic waste ends up in the environment where it can last for centuries. But the discovery of plastic-gobbling enzymes has raised hopes of solving this mounting problem. Some scientists have called these tiny plastic eaters a game changer. But is this really a scalable solution? And does it make economic sense?
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    35 mins
  • The growing microplastics problem: risks and solutions

    The growing microplastics problem: risks and solutions
    Jun 30 2023
    Microplastics have been found everywhere — from the deepest parts of the ocean to the heights of Mount Everest. A problem that is set to intensify as we produce over 400 million tons of new plastics every year. But just how dangerous are microplastics? And what can we do about them?
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    37 mins
  • The plastics age: How did we get here?

    The plastics age: How did we get here?
    Jun 23 2023
    Each year, the world produces 430 million tons of plastics – and that figure is set to triple by 2060. How did plastics become such a big part of our lives? And what needs to be done to limit their environmental impact?
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    42 mins
  • Trailer: The global plastics crisis, new podcast series

    Trailer: The global plastics crisis, new podcast series
    Jun 2 2023
    Global plastics production has doubled over the past two decades. Despite rising consumer awareness, there is more single-use plastic waste than ever before. Pollutive plastic waste is set to triple by 2060. Microplastics are in our food and water and even entering our bodies. How did we get here and what can we do about it? This series launches in June.
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    2 mins
  • More allergies due to climate change?

    More allergies due to climate change?
    May 25 2023
    By 2050, half the world's population could be affected by at least one allergy. Is global warming to blame? Find out more about rising pollen levels and one of the most allergenic plants in the world that is now also spreading in Germany. (This episode has been republished and updated).
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    25 mins
  • How lab-grown meat could help the climate

    How lab-grown meat could help the climate
    May 19 2023
    Global demand for meat is growing, but animal agriculture has a significant carbon footprint. Could cultivating steaks, nuggets and sushi in a lab be a solution? (This episode has been republished and updated).
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    41 mins