From animal waste to biodegradable plastic.
A process developed at the University of Waikato in New Zealand will allow animal waste to be turned into useful and biodegradable plastic. The new process, developed over two years by University of Waikato chemical engineer Dr Johan Verbeek and graduate student Lisa van den Berg, can...

Dear EarthTalk: what are the environmental pros and cons of corn-based plastic as an alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastic?
Dear EarthTalk: What are the environmental pros and cons of corn-based plastic as an alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastic? --Laura McInnes, Glasgow, Scotland Polylactic acid (PLA), a plastic substitute made from fermented plant starch (usually corn) is quickly becoming a popular alternative to traditional petroleum-based...

Police vehicle chase leads to drug arrests; Resident almost struck; parked car hit.
Byline: Thomas Caywood WORCESTER - Officers attempting to pull over a Chevrolet sedan on Perry Avenue for a broken tail light were led on a short, high-speed chase through city streets, during which a resident was nearly mowed down by the fleeing Chevy, according to police. ...

Fuwei to Co-Author Revisions to National Standards for Films in China.
ENTERTAINMENT CLOSE-UP-27 June 2008-Fuwei to Co-Author Revisions to National Standards for Films in China(C)2008 - CloseUpMedia - newsdesk@closeupmedia.com Fuwei Films (Holdings), a manufacturer and distributor of high-quality Bopet plastic films located in China, announced that Fuwei Films (Shandong), the company's operating subsidiary, has been selected as a...

New recycling program.
LUNENBURG - Beginning Tuesday, July 1, Lunenburg residents will have a new recycling and trash program, with single stream recycling. Now all recyclable items can be placed in the same container for easy curbside collection. Single stream materials are sorted at a special facility and...

WHERE TO RECYCLE.
Byline: The Register-Guard Keep this handy recycling list for future reference: Lane County Waste Management: Glenwood Transfer Station, 3100 E. 17th Avenue, Eugene 682-4339. Takes paper, cardboard, plastics, scrap metal, cans, wood waste, yard waste, tires, antifreeze, motor oil and oil filters, batteries, small appliances...

Business briefs.
COLUMN: BUSINESS BRIEFS TELEGRAM & GAZETTE Bloomberg Index Central Massachusetts +2.61 178.69 Volume: 47,839,923 Up: 7 Down: 16 Unchanged: 6 Gainer: American Superconductor Corp. $43.11 +$7.03 (volume of 5.1...

Dangote Group.
If there is any Nigerian organisation that can lay claim to "providing your basic needs", then it has to be the Dangote Group, a company that has consistently remained a market leader. The Group has over the last three decades enjoyed increasing market share for its products. In 2006...

Paper or plastic? States wrestle with plans to ban plastic bags.
Get Talking Ask students: What types of bags do you use for groceries (paper, plastic, reusable)? Tell them some cities and states are considering banning plastic bags. Ask students: Do you think that is a good idea or a bad idea? Notes Behind the News...

Talk back.
Dear Current Events, I think that banning plastic would be a bad idea ["Paper or Plastic?" issue 21]. You are trying to fix one environmental problem, and you just create another. Plastic may harm some types of animals, but cutting down trees can destroy animals' homes and...