Flooding in Thailand

Flooding in Thailand

BANGKOK, Thailand - People ride on a polystyrene boat in a flooded area of western Bangkok on Nov. 10, 2011.

Japan Dome House releases houses made of Styrofoam

Japan Dome House releases houses made of Styrofoam

KANAZAWA, Japan - Japan Dome House Co., based in Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture, has released houses made of Styrofoam. The dome-shape, pillar-less house (photo) occupies some 36 square meters with a diameter of 7 meters and a height of 3 meters. It is covered with highly insulated polystyrene foam which is about 30 centimeters thick and is fire-resistant. It is highly earthquake-resistant and is designed to withstand winds of up to 45 meters per hour.

Aussie state puts further ban on single-use plastic items

STORY: Aussie state puts further ban on single-use plastic items DATELINE: Nov. 2, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:42 LOCATION: SYDNEY, Australia CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. shot of the Sydney Opera House 2. various of shopping bags in shopping malls and supermarkets STORYLINE: The Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) implemented a further ban on more single-use plastic items from Tuesday, on top of its previous ban on lightweight single-use plastic bags. Under the tightened rules, manufacturers, wholesalers, businesses and community organizations in NSW cannot provide single-use plastic items including straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, bowls and cotton buds; food ware and cups made from expanded polystyrene; rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads. The new prohibition is the latest movement of the state government to create a more sustainable environment after it banned lightweight single-use plastic bags from June 1. Single-use plastic items and packaging make up 60 percent of a

Australia's national science agency unveils innovations in recycling to boost circular economy

STORY: Australia's national science agency unveils innovations in recycling to boost circular economy DATELINE: Aug. 18, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:27 LOCATION: Canberra CATEGORY: TECHNOLOGY/SCIENCE SHOTLIST: 1. various of a new recycling technology "Smart Bin" demonstration and students 2. SOUNDBITE (English): LARRY MARSHALL, CSIRO chief executive 3. various of recycling technology and National Science Week 4. various of class activities STORYLINE: Australia's national science agency has unveiled the latest innovations in recycling during the yearly National Science Week to inspire the next generation to lead a circular economy-focused future. On Tuesday, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) said that local students from year 6 had joined researchers to test a new prototype "Smart Bin" and interact with construction materials made from recycled glass and polystyrene. The "Smart Bin", which is a proof of concept device designed to improve recycling rates and reduce cont

Chemical leak in U.S. California forces resident evacuation, freeway closure

STORY: Chemical leak in U.S. California forces resident evacuation, freeway closure DATELINE: Aug. 14, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:44 LOCATION: LOS ANGELES, U.S. CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the accident site 2. various of the traffic STORYLINE: A serious chemical leak accident forced the evacuation of more than 100 homes in Perris, 122 kilometers east of Los Angeles downtown Friday morning and prompted the closure of the 215 Freeway in both directions. Local NBC 4 news channel reported that Cal Fire Riverside County received a call about the chemical leak around 7:40 p.m. Thursday local time, when someone discovered a large plume of smoke coming from a rail car along the railway running parallel to the freeway in the town with over 77,000 residents. Officials identified the leaking chemical as styrene, saying some kind of chemical reaction inside the tank occurred when the chemical used in latex, synthetic rubber and polystyrene resins was stored in an overheating situation. Typically, styrene sits

Flooding in Thailand

Flooding in Thailand

BANGKOK, Thailand - People ride on a polystyrene boat in a flooded area of western Bangkok on Nov. 10, 2011. (Kyodo)

Japan Dome House releases houses made of Styrofoam

Japan Dome House releases houses made of Styrofoam

KANAZAWA, Japan - Japan Dome House Co., based in Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture, has released houses made of Styrofoam. The dome-shape, pillar-less house (photo) occupies some 36 square meters with a diameter of 7 meters and a height of 3 meters. It is covered with highly insulated polystyrene foam which is about 30 centimeters thick and is fire-resistant. It is highly earthquake-resistant and is designed to withstand winds of up to 45 meters per hour. (Kyodo)