UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 aims to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” by 2030. Lack of access to safe drinking water and poor sanitation negatively impacts food security, livelihood choices, and opportunities for education. World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2 billion people living without access to safe water. More…
Plastic waste vs. e-waste: where is the industry investing the big bucks?
What is happening with exported plastic and electronic waste at present?
Many wealthy countries export plastic and electronic waste (e-waste) to less economically developed countries to recycle or dispose of. Until 2018, China was accepting more than half of this exported waste. However, as concern for pollution in China increased, a ban on some types of waste imports was introduced. As a result, waste imports in other countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Poland, and Turkey, have risen significantly. However, the same issues China experienced are leading these countries to return waste to the originating country. More…
Patenting activity by big industry to
improve waste management
Patenting activity by big industry to improve waste management
Over recent years, the public’s awareness of the impact of pollution and climate change has grown. As a result of this, big industry has been forced by governments and consumers alike to step up its game in reducing plastic usage, finding ways to recycle potentially toxic items like chemicals, aluminium or plastics, and mitigating their own carbon footprint. By studying the patenting activity of companies, it’s easy to see who is putting their money on the table and investing in this area, rather than just ‘talking the talk’. More…
Innovation driving the Energy
Transition
Energy Transition involves a structural change in the energy system from our existing model to a new paradigm, going well beyond the simple replacement of one source of fuel energy by another. To help meet global climate change goals of limiting the increase in global average temperature to 1.5 °C, set at the Paris Climate Agreement 2015, policy makers could strengthen investment conditions by shifting incentives to make renewable power more attractive to investors – thus stimulating innovation and patenting in renewable technologies. More…
Innovations to solve the ever-growing problem of plastic pollution
Innovations to solve the ever-growing problem of plastic pollution
On 21st June 2018, Minesoft sponsored a local paddle-boarding event organised by the Richmond BID (Business Investment District) to raise awareness of plastic pollution in the River Thames. Plastic pollution in our oceans and rivers is a growing problem, as shown by the recent launch of the New Plastic Economy Innovation Prize, an initiative to find new and innovative alternatives to plastic packaging.