November 2013 – StepChange Innovations Blog

The risks and alternatives of APEO and NPEO in textiles part 1

Post author:Florian Winkler
Post published:26/11/2013
Post category:Ecology Textile
Post comments:0 Comments

The environmental activist group Greenpeace runs the Detox campaign requesting from international fashion brands to eliminate alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEOs) from their supply chain. In response to the Detox campaign, a group of international retailers has established a roadmap for “zero discharge of hazardous chemicals” (ZDHC) which has the aim of eliminating 11 substance groups between 2013 and 2020. At the present time, strong focus in the ZDHC programme is put on APEOs (alkylphenols and their ethoxylates), in particular on NPEOs (Nonophenol ethoxylates). This report will show the use, the risks and alternatives of APEOs.

Einstein´s theory of relativity explains why mercury is liquid

Post author:Christian Schumacher
Post published:20/11/2013
Post category:Chemistry
Post comments:1 Comment

Scientists from New Zealand, France, and Germany have solved the old "mystery" why mercury is liquid at room temperature. The study used advanced computer models of theoretical chemistry to prove that the low melting point is due to mercury's special electron structure, something that can only be explained through Einstein's special theory of relativity.

The Detox Catwalk – Greenpeace launches a new type of fashion brand catwalk

Post author:Christian Schumacher
Post published:08/11/2013
Post category:Ecology Textile
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Greenpeace launched the Detox Catwalk, an interactive online platform assessing the progress made by major clothing companies towards a toxic-free future. ZDHC founders adidas, Nike and LiNing only rated as greenwashers.