plastics

An old-fashioned kitchen gadget from decades past is back in demand, with people reportedly searching thrift store shelves to track one down. The renewed interest reflects a broader wave of nostalgia for vintage cookware and tools, as shoppers look for sturdy, charming alternatives to modern plastic-heavy kitchen equipment.

Amazon is refreshing its Kindle lineup with new colors and aluminum bodies across the base Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, and Colorsoft, moving beyond the usual plastic finishes. The company is also releasing a case with physical page-turn buttons, a nod to readers who miss tactile controls. Coverage highlights that Kindles rarely change much between generations, making the design updates and material upgrades notable for e-reader fans.

Gomi, a design studio based in Brighton, is giving discarded Barbie dolls a second life by turning their plastic parts into colourful consumer tech gadgets. The initiative highlights a creative approach to e-waste and toy plastic recycling, transforming items that would otherwise end up in landfill into functional, vibrant products.

Berlin-based artist Niklas Roy has constructed a functional pendulum clock using only discarded and scavenged materials. He reportedly restricted himself to items he could find locally, including tape, zip ties, hot glue, cardboard, a yardstick, pieces of plastic and other random objects, and says the finished clock keeps running. The project is being shared and praised online as a striking example of inventive, sustainable DIY art.

The game Valkyrie Tune will get two new plastic model kits and adaptations as new characters, according to AppBank. The Switch version launches on November 5, while the Steam version is 30% off from October 2. The announcements cover both merchandising and the game's release and sale schedule.

Sculptures of birds made from recycled plastic by US artist Thomas Deininger, born in 1970, are drawing wide admiration online. Viewers are sharing footage of the works, praising how discarded plastic debris is assembled into remarkably lifelike birds, highlighting Deininger's reputation for transforming found materials into detailed assemblage art.

A large study reported by The Conversation indicates the brain remains malleable well into older age, and that everyday activities such as reading, socialising and doing puzzles can help preserve cognitive health. The findings challenge the assumption that cognitive decline in later life is inevitable and point to simple lifestyle habits as protective factors against impairment as people age.

MIT researchers have developed an experimental yarn aimed at solving a major recycling problem in sportswear: elastane's stretch makes garments comfortable but nearly impossible to recycle. The new fibre has a soft core and a stronger outer layer, both made from the same family of plastics, so it stretches like conventional yarn yet can be melted down for reuse.

Dr. Yates and Dr. Alison of the Dunagan, Yates & Alison Plastic Surgery Center in Huntsville have given an interview to the Huntsville Business Journal as part of its 'Sit Down with Success' conversation series. The discussion focuses on their work in plastic surgery and the operation of their practice, offering insight into running a medical business in the region.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed a process that turns waste plastic into liquid fuel, offering a potential route to both recycle plastic waste and produce usable energy. The announcement is drawing attention for its environmental and economic implications, with observers discussing whether the technology could scale to industrial use and help address the global plastic waste problem.

Iowa startups are developing new agricultural technology and bioplastics, aiming to modernize farming and offer alternatives to conventional plastics, according to an Axios report. The state's deep farming base makes it a natural testing ground for such ventures, and the story highlights how local founders are working on tools and materials that could reduce waste and improve efficiency for growers.

Communities around the world are organising shoreline clean-ups to tackle plastic pollution, collecting bottles and other waste from beaches and riverbanks one piece at a time. The campaign-style effort highlights growing grassroots concern over plastic debris and its impact on wildlife and coastal ecosystems.

Coulée Coffee has entered physical retail with the launch of its SWIRL Mini, a plastic-free automated pour-over brewer, now available at Target. The move marks the company's first major brick-and-mortar distribution, putting its sustainable coffee-brewing device in front of a mainstream national audience. Coverage from regional outlets highlights the plastic-free design as the product's key selling point amid growing consumer interest in reducing plastic in kitchen appliances.

A plastic surgeon at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas is being highlighted for performing reconstructive surgery on children born with facial birth defects, such as cleft lip and palate. The university is promoting the work as an example of medical care changing young patients' lives. Further details about specific cases or patient numbers were not provided.

Companies EFS, Merlin, GreenWaste and Valemi have been awarded contracts for flexible film recycling, according to trade publications Waste Dive and Packaging Dive. The awards signal continued investment in recycling capacity for flexible plastic packaging, a material stream long considered difficult to process at scale and a growing focus for packaging producers and waste handlers.

A Frederick County, Maryland business is working on converting plastic waste into filament for 3D printers, offering a recycling solution for a material that is difficult to reuse. The plan pairs local waste collection with the growing demand for 3D printing supplies. Details about the company, its process and timeline have not yet been widely reported, but the idea has drawn local attention as an example of small-scale recycling innovation.