BBC News
By Helen Briggs
image captionPolythene is among the most widely-produced materials in the world
Scientists have made fabrics from polythene in a move they say could reduce plastic pollution and make the fashion industry more sustainable.
Polythene is a ubiquitous plastic, found in everything from plastic bags to food packaging.
The new textiles have potential uses in sports wear, and even high-end fashion, according to US researchers.
The plastic cloth is more environmentally-friendly than natural fibres, and can be recycled, they say.
Dr Svetlana Boriskina, from the department of engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, US, said plastic bags that nobody wants can be turned into high-performance fabrics with a low environmental footprint.
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Mountain bikers could still be given their marching orders from swathes of prime singletrack in Hampshire, following a MOD by-laws review
Riders on MOD land look likely to remain barred from singletrack
Mountain bikers probably won’t get the permitted access to singletrack they were hoping for on military land around Aldershot, Hampshire, following a review into access. Thousands of riders use the heath and forest land around Aldershot and its network of trails every week, but riding singletrack has technically been prohibited under existing rules. Now though, a long-awaited by-law review by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), which manages land for the MOD, is on the cusp of publication and looks to confirm access to fire roads alone.
Advertisement The clothing industry has come in for a lot of flak in recent years for its impact on the environment, and running gear manufacturers are no exception. Footwear brands in particular have to take into account the materials that are used, durability and what happens to a shoe at the end of its useful life.
On Running, the Swiss performance brand behind the Cloud series of running shoes, has announced an ambitious service that aims to tackle this sustainability problem: the Cyclon, a wholly recyclable shoe that you subscribe to, rather than purchasing outright.
It was announced last year and interested parties are encouraged to pay for the first month upfront so On can gauge interest. The shoe is described as suitable for fast training and racing, with a weight of 200g, including a rocker in the sole and an 8mm drop from heel to toe.
Plymouth reacts as Boris Johnson announces Covid lockdown easing roadmap in House of Commons - live updates
The Prime Minister is addressing MPs in the House of Commons
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Business owners in Plymouth are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the Prime Minister s roadmap to lifting the third coronavirus lockdown.
Boris Johnson is sharing the steps with MPs in the House of Commons before making a public address to the nation from Downing Street at 7pm this evening.
All pupils in England’s schools will return to class from March 8 before outdoor mixing within the rule of six or two households measures will be allowed on March 29 at the earliest along with the reopening of outdoor sport venues such as basketball courts.
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