Finding fresh ways to use old materials will be the challenge that defines our generation. We need to drastically reduce the constant production of virgin plastics and polymers, especially in fashion, which is why one sustainable clothing brand started turning sex toys into shoes. — When it comes to upcycling in order to get closer to our sustainable living goals, no material can be off-limits. That includes materials previously used to make sex toys, according to one brand based in Los Angeles, California. …

Drivers of high-emission vehicles will have to cough up the cash if they want to travel within London’s newly expanded Ultra-Low Emission Zone. With the area including circular roads and numerous residential areas, the city’s mayor is receiving a lot of pushback from locals, business owners, and councils. — If you’ve recently moved to England’s capital or have ever visited, chances are you were shocked to find the inside of your nose was completely black the next time you blew it.

It’s hard to believe any living thing could survive on a diet consisting of plastic, but new research has revealed that certain bacteria have found a way to ingest ocean pollution — making it disappear altogether. — If you’ve been visiting Thred for a while, you’re likely well-versed in how serious our global plastic pollution problem is. We have written a ton about how the 12 million tons of plastic dumped into our oceans each year poses a major threat to marine plant and animal life, and…

Death to the drunk Instagram story? Well, maybe. Young people are starting to swap their smartphones for simpler mobile devices on nights out. The benefits extend well beyond dealing with embarrassing social media posts from the night before. — A new trend is emerging amongst Gen Z members old enough to hit the club at the weekend. Rather than pocketing an £800 smartphone with their debit card and ID before going out, young people are bringing along cheap ‘burner’ phones typically associated with cheating spouses or those selling contraband.

The ever-growing list of available cosmetic surgeries continues to generate new ways for us to dislike ourselves, but online narratives prove that some are just too ridiculous to buy into. — ‘What do you want for your birthday?’ my mom asked when visiting me last year in London. Turning away from a mirror to look at her, I half-jokingly replied: buccal fat removal. To clarify, buccal fat removal entails removing fat from the cheek area of the face to create narrower…

After white contractors refused the task of removing Confederate statues from Devon Henry’s hometown, he took matters into his own hands. This was the start of his journey towards dismantling over 70 statues commemorating America’s colonial era. — In almost every city or town, you will find at least one statue honouring a prominent person, group of people, or major event. Such statues serve as a reminder of our historical past, but a deeper look into the details will often reveal that not all of them have positive…

It’s the series you love to hate or vehemently hate to love. Riddled with predictable plotlines, exaggerated portrayals of life in the French capital, and no mention of the pandemic or economic inflation — it’s Emily in Paris. But does the show really deserve the scrutiny it gets? — No other Netflix release has received more criticism during our journey into the 2020s than Emily In Paris — a series about a young American influencer who moves to France’s capital city for work.

After a makeup-free photo was posted of her online, Keke Palmer was hit with a wave of hateful comments about her appearance. Her response to the criticism should be a wake-up call for how we measure beauty today and how we value women in general. — The internet is a ruthless place. Nobody knows this better than female celebrities. Any indications of ageing, weight gain, or trivial flaws seen in photos online are quickly picked up and magnified by a digital audience of millions. …

Following a recent campaign to give rivers, lakes, and forests legal rights, experts now say global oceans must also be afforded legally enforced protection. They argue this is the only way to positively transform our relationship with oceans and prevent total ecosystem collapse. — In a new article published in PLOS Biology, experts from the non-profit organisation Earth Law Center argue that humans must foster ‘a higher respect for the Ocean and Nature, not as objects, but living entities.’