Waste tires ready for processing. Photo courtesy of Ecore
Ventures focused on circular economy advances haven’t historically represented a sexy funding category, but December and early January brought the closing of two high-profile investment infusions: $55 million for AMP Robotics, which is using artificial intelligence to reinvent recycling infrastructure, and $25 million for TerraCycle’s Loop venture, which combines e-commerce with reusable containers.
Indeed, if you poke deeper into developments during the long and winding road that was 2020, it appears more investors are becoming willing to kick the tires (so to speak) when it comes to companies focused on turning someone else’s waste into a saleable product that keeps said waste from winding up in a landfill.
New stimulus package fixes PPP loan confusion
New stimulus package fixes PPP loan confusion
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WASHINGTON While the $600 stimulus payments to individuals took center stage in the latest COVID-19 relief package, a wide range of other benefits are available to help small businesses around the country navigate through these tough times.
A key provision in the latest round of stimulus benefits involves the reversal of an earlier federal ruling that businesses would have to pay taxes on certain benefits received through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). This stimulus program pumped billions of dollars into the economy in 2020 and saved many businesses that otherwise would have been forced to close for good.
California weighs eliminating zinc from tires
California is considering whether to ask tire manufacturers to look at ways of eliminating zinc from their products because studies have shown the mineral may harm aquatic wildlfie when it is washed into rivers and lakes By ROBERT JABLON, Associated Press
Published: January 19, 2021, 6:00am
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3 Photos FILE- In this Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, file photo, junkyard employee Fabio Flores stacks up used tires at Aadlen Brothers Auto Wrecking, also known as U Pick Parts, in the Sun Valley section of Los Angeles. California may ask tire manufacturers to look at ways of eliminating zinc from their products because studies have shown the mineral may harm aquatic wildlife when it is washed into rivers and lakes. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
LOS ANGELES California is considering asking tire manufacturers to look at ways of eliminating zinc from their products because studies have shown the mineral, which is used to strengthen rubber, may harm waterways, it was announced Tuesday. The state Department of Toxic Substances Control will begin preparing “a technical document for release in the […]
Tackling the Pothole Crisis with Autonomous Road Repair Systems
Thought LeadersPaolo PaolettiCTO at Robotiz3dSenior Lecturer, University of Liverpool
AZoRobotics speaks to Dr Paolo Paoletti, CTO of Robotiz3d and Senior Lecturer at the University of Liverpool, about the development of a revolutionary pothole management robot powered by artificial intelligence. The autonomous technology may be the start of a more advanced preventative road maintenance solution set to change the future of our streets.
How did you begin your research into autonomous robots for pothole management?
The research started at the University of Liverpool about five years ago. Together with my colleague Dr Sebastiano Fichera from the School of Engineering, we began developing robotic platforms to automate construction tasks. We received some funding to sponsor a PhD studentship, which started our journey. Although our focus was initially not on road maintenance, we quickly realized that th