Water reuse and circular economy practices are essential for South Africa's long-term sustainability as water costs rise because of aging infrastructure, population growth and climate change, writes Jay Bhagwan of the Water Research Commission. In this piece, Bhagwan highlights the need for tariff reforms to incentivize industries to adopt cleaner production methods and recover valuable resources, and he also emphasizes the importance of public education to overcome the "yuck factor" associated with recycled water.

Forestry business Chestnut Carbon has raised $250 million this year, including $90 million in a recent funding round, marking the largest fundraising in the voluntary carbon market for 2025. The funding offers a positive sign for the voluntary carbon market, which had experienced a steep decline in investment since 2022.

Battery energy storage systems are an emerging solutions to help balance surging power demand from data centers, particularly those owned by major tech companies. The US has more than 5,400 operational data centers and the Energy Department expects the industry could use up to 12% of US electrical generation within three years.

Australia is poised to exceed its 2030 rooftop solar target, driven by strong adoption of solar panels and batteries, according to a Clean Energy Council report. Around 27 gigawatts of rooftop solar has been installed at homes and small businesses, with a projection of 37.2 gigawatts by mid-2030. Residential battery sales almost tripled in the first half of this year.

Electric-vehicle charging is becoming a must-have amenity in multifamily housing, with states mandating new construction to be EV-ready and residents expecting reliable charging as standard. "You have to have a systematic approach to managing and monitoring the performance of the chargers, and the maintenance of the chargers," says Theresa Kaiser-White of Willow Bridge Property Co.

ExxonMobil says it's developed a form of graphite that can extend the life of electric vehicle batteries by up to 30%, CEO Darren Woods says. The synthetic graphite, which is being tested by automakers, allows faster charging and a longer range, Woods says. Exxon plans commercial production by 2029 after acquiring production assets from Superior Graphite.

The effectiveness of extended producer responsibility laws in driving recycled content usage remains uncertain, as industry stakeholders note that EPR primarily focuses on funding and improving collection systems. States such as Colorado have set ambitious recycled content targets through EPR, but verifying compliance, especially with chemically recycled plastics, poses challenges.

The European glass industry aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 by decarbonizing production and increasing circularity. Companies like Ardagh Glass Packaging, O-I, Glass and Verallia are investing in electric furnaces, hydrogen fuel and biofuels, but scaling these technologies requires significant capital. The industry also focuses on improving recycling rates and promoting reusable packaging, supported by initiatives such as Close the Glass Loop. However, challenges such as energy affordability and infrastructure limitations remain.

Jefferson Rubber Works in Worcester, Mass., started making pet toys when it had a surplus of rubber membrane discs after its business arrangement with a wastewater client ended. Ruff Dawg now produces nearly 50 rubber dog toys sold in 15 countries, accounting for 20% of its business.