EXCLUSIVE: Preliminary analysis found toxic chemicals in some masks
These include known allergens and carcinogens as well as controlled substances
Masks intended for use by the general public are not deemed to be PPE
Therefore, they do not have to meet the standards of masks worn by doctors
85% of all masks made worldwide come from China and concerns have been raised over substandard manufacturing and opaque supply chains
IFCO European Lift Lock containers become Cradle to Cradle Certified Silver
March 31 , 2021
Press Release
The leading global provider of reusable packaging for fresh foods, IFCO, has had its European line of Lift Lock reusable plastic containers (RPCs) awarded Cradle to Cradle Certified® (Version 3.1) at the Silver level. IFCO’s European Lift Lock products are now the first and only fresh-food RPCs to meet this ambitious sustainability standard.
“Cradle to Cradle Certified gives leading companies a globally recognized standard for ensuring their impact on people and our planet is a positive one,” said Dr. Christina Raab, vice president of strategy and development for the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.
Published: 01 April 2021
Top German scientists have found that wearing certain types of face masks for long periods of time could result in potentially hazardous chemicals and harmful microplastics being inhaled deep into human lungs.
Professor Michael Braungart, director at the Hamburg Environmental Institute and co-founder of the world-renowned Cradle to Cradle environmental standard has told
Ecotextile News that mask wearers unwittingly run the risk of breathing in carcinogens, allergens and tiny synthetic microfibres by wearing both textile and nonwoven surgical masks for long periods of time.
His recent findings have been backed up by another leading industry textile chemist
Dr. Dieter Sedlak, managing director and co-founder of Modern Testing Services Augsburg, Germany in partnership with Modern Testing Services Global, Hong Kong who found elevated concentrations of hazardous fluorocarbons, formaldehyde and other potentially carcinogenic substances on surgical f
DuHun Photography
Architect, designer and author William McDonough is well-known to many in sustainability as a pioneer in green building; as the erstwhile green dean of architecture; as co-author of the seminal 2002 book Cradle to Cradle ; as a designer of breakthrough buildings and materials; as a deep thinker about how design relates to a healthy and abundant future; and as an enthusiastic framer of the concepts and language that have become part of the sustainability lexicon.
On the occasion of his 70th birthday this month, I caught up with McDonough to discuss his journey and some seminal moments in his life and career, and how they influenced his work. And to take a peek into where he may be headed next.
Feb 21, 2021
The amount of plastic produced worldwide each year could fill every skyscraper in New York. Of the 380 million tons of plastic produced annually, only 1% is biodegradable or made from renewable natural sources rather than fossil fuels. This represents a small, but growing portion of the market.
While alternatives to petroleum-based plastic are still in their infancy in Japan, a number of forward-looking manufacturers are investing in these materials, notwithstanding the initial challenges of such innovations. They hope to make a dent in the ever-growing Japanese market, where plastic production has increased steadily from 7,518 tons in 1980 to 10.67 million tons in 2018.