When marine biologists are filmed removing a plastic straw stuck in a sea turtle’s nose, our hearts sink and our environmental consciousness grows. Today, more than 90 countries have implemented — or plan to implement — bans or taxes on single-use plastic bags or other products, but the road to hell is paved with governments’ good intentions. A newly invented piezoelectric face mask is not only biodegradable, but generates charge when the user breathes in and out, helping trap water droplets. Bioplastics account for only 3% of plastics manufactured globally, but this sector is growing. The solution to problematic plastic could lie with an abundant, sustainable, biodegradable material: wood. CEO of Uhnder, Manju Hegde, advises graduates: “I wish someone had told me that the best way to have the fewest regrets in life is to think ahead.” Click here to read this weekend’s issue.

Sally Ward-Foxton covers AI technology and related issues for EETimes.com and all aspects of the European industry for EETimes Europe magazine. Sally has spent more than 15 years writing about the electronics industry from London, UK. She has written for Electronic Design, ECN, Electronic Specifier: Design, Components in Electronics, and many more. She holds a Masters' degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Cambridge.