Articles by Jo Foster

Plastic is often vilified in modern discussions about waste and pollution, but it's easy to forget the transformative good the material has done for humanity. Originally developed to do positive things for the world, plastic has achieved great things, and in many different ways. From its versatility during World War II, when it replaced materials in short supply, to its role in medical advan...

Spending a fortune on toys is probably something the average person doesn’t do very often. Even at Christmas, most of us are working within a budget, plus kids tend to get bored with toys quite quickly and grow out of playing with them. © SeventyFour / Shutterstock.com Just for fun, we’ve compiled a list of the ten most expensive toys in the world, with some being worth millions! &...

People have decorated their homes and trees to celebrate religious ceremonies for thousands of years, going back to the times of Ancient Egypt and Rome, but actual Christmas decorations weren’t invented until the 16th century. Egyptian and Roman civilisations would handcraft decorations including deity symbols, suns and greenery, as part of deeply-rooted traditions to celebrate changes in se...

Plastic recycling is becoming increasingly important because it reduces the need for new plastics and helps the environment. © JDzacovsky / Shutterstock.com   Why is plastic recycling important? For every tonne of plastic recycled, 6.7 cubic metres of landfill space is saved. Recycling uses less energy than manufacturing plastics from raw materials, reducing their carbon fo...

As the festive season approaches, people across the UK are being urged to celebrate a more sustainable Christmas to avoid adding to the millions of tonnes of waste generated globally each year. Waste during the holiday period increases by around 30% compared with the rest of the year. Wrapping paper, plastic decorations and broken tree lights contribute to the 125,000 tonnes of Christmas pla...

When a group of scientists found a bacteria eating its way through plastic toys and bottles on a rubbish dump, it signalled the start of research into whether this could solve the world’s plastic pollution problems. More than two decades after the discovery of Ideonella Sakaiensis bacterium in Japan, scientific research is continuing into how it might help with plastic waste management to so...

People have relied on rainwater to sustain life since time immemorial, with the first evidence of a viable running water system dating from the Roman Empire between 27BC and 476AD. With today’s public water network serving 99% of the UK population, you could be forgiven for thinking there’s no use for the good old fashioned water butt, but (excuse the pun!) you’d be wrong, as they still offe...

Insect populations in the UK are in decline, sparking fears they may no longer be able to fulfil their vital role in crop production if the trend continues. A government report, Insect Decline and UK Food Security, reveals a “concerning trend” of decreasing numbers of insects, less diversity of species and changes in distribution. The findings were based on long-term studies of insect popula...

The plastics industry has traditionally used fossil fuel to function, but manufacturers are exploring new eco-friendly technologies to conserve our planet’s natural resources for the future. Oil-based plastics make up the majority of those we use today, consuming around 350 metric tonnes of oil globally every year. While the industry is keen to evolve with new materials to protect the enviro...

Halloween is just around the corner - and half the fun is getting ready for this spooky celebration! When people think of Halloween, spooky costumes and tasty sweets are usually the first things that come to mind. As well as creative costumes, you can also make sure your house looks scary by making some unique decorations. © Iryna Tolmachova / Shutterstock.com The great thing about...