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The E factor at 30: a passion for pollution prevention
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This commentary reflects on 30 years since the introduction of the E Factor, a metric for measuring waste in chemical manufacturing. The author argues that waste generation remains the root cause of major environmental problems, from climate change to plastic pollution. The piece calls for continued innovation in green chemistry to minimize waste at its source rather than managing it after the fact.
Publication of the E Factor drew attention to the problem of waste in chemicals manufacture. Thirty yeas later it is abundantly clear that waste is the underlying cause of global environmental problems, from climate change to plastic pollution.
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This paper reviews why protecting the environment matters as economic growth continues worldwide. It discusses how pollution, including plastic waste contaminating water and soil, along with deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, is driving climate change and biodiversity loss. The paper argues that balancing development with environmental protection is necessary for human survival.
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Researchers developed a sustainability metric for eco-designing plastic products with low environmental persistence by integrating the environmental degradation rate of plastics into established material selection frameworks. The approach allows designers to compare materials on both functional performance and environmental persistence using material property indices.
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This review examined the effectiveness of plastic recycling as a solution to plastic pollution, finding that global recycling rates of only 9% are insufficient given annual production exceeding 400 million metric tonnes. The authors identified key gaps in recycling efficiency for thermoset plastics and proposed advanced recycling methods, design-for-recyclability principles, and the Global Plastics Treaty as emerging solutions.
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Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.