Articles by Jo Foster

Solent Plastics we will be joining the nation to remember those who gave their lives to protect the freedom of future generations. Lest we forget. It's not something you would think of automatically - but did you know that plastic was crucial to the war effort during World War II? Historians describe the 1939-45 war as the era when plastics "came of age" - as it necessitated a massive expans...

It's hard to believe it’s that expensive time of year again - many people are already starting to buy Christmas presents before the festive rush begins in earnest! If you're buying gifts for children, never underestimate how devious they can be when the excitement becomes overwhelming and they decide to carry out a sneaky house search. Studies have revealed around two-thirds of kids have ...

It's coming up to the scariest time of the year, which means it's time to start making plans for kids' spooky activities. As soon as the giant bags of sweets arrive in the supermarket and creepy masks appear on the shelves, the season of ghost and ghouls has officially arrived. Halloween seems to be getting bigger and better every year! © Anastasiia / Adobe Stock While All Hallows'...

In the retail world, an effective order picking system is crucial, especially at Christmas. Order picking is the process of selecting products from the warehouse inventory to satisfy multiple customers' orders - and it’s the key to satisfying demand quickly and efficiently. As a vital part of the supply chain process, it is also the most labour-intensive activity in the warehouse. Order pick...

A new charity record has been released - made from recycled plastic found in the ocean around Cornwall. Proceeds from sales of the multi-coloured vinyl disc are being donated to the environmental charity, Surfers Against Sewage, which works to combat ocean pollution. The original recording by Mercury Prize-nominated musician Nick Mulvey, In the Anthropocene, inspired by the Atlantic Ocean, h...

Scientists are always trying to find new ways to recycle plastic waste to combat the pollution of our planet and oceans. In a move that could save the health service a fortune, the latest breakthrough is using plastic bottles to create prosthetic limbs. Amazingly, the cost of producing one prosthetic socket from recycled plastic bottles is only £10, according to scientists - compared with th...

Plastic pollution is having a massively detrimental impact on our environment. An estimated 6.3 billion tons of plastic have been produced globally since the 1950s, and only around 9% has been recycled, according to a study carried out at the University of California. The American report, called Science Advances, says a further 12% of the plastic has been incinerated, but the remainder has e...

Everyone is trying their best to recycle plastic products - from private individuals to global businesses, we're starting to recognise the damage plastic pollution is causing to our oceans and the planet as a whole. © aryfahmed / Adobe Stock Did you know, there are some items of plastic that cannot be recycled? While British consumers are increasingly keen to recycle their household w...

The famous toy manufacturer, LEGO, is helping in the global fight against plastic pollution by producing sustainable bricks made from sugar cane. The majority of their products have traditionally been plastic-based, but in future, they are aiming to make them more eco-friendly. LEGO is one of the world's most successful toy companies. Launched in Denmark in 1932, by carpenter Ole Kirk Christ...

A Belgian manufacturer is taking recycling to a new level - by making cool plastic furniture out of old toys! The brand, Ecobirdy, has recycled thousands of plastic toys to produce furniture for kids. The Antwerp-based company has created its unique range of colourful furniture for children with the aim of raising awareness of sustainability from a young age. All of the items in Ecobirdy's d...