Frank Leibfarth, who leads a research lab at UNC, speaks with 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell on Wednesday, July 12. He discusses his lab’s efforts to study and improve plastics — specifically, how to change plastic’s materials to make it more valuable and more recyclable. Plus, Leibfarth shares statistics on plastic waste in the world and details on PFAS studies his lab is doing.

 

On Air Today features conversations with the latest newsmakers in our community, including local elected leaders, educators, business owners, and anyone else with their finger on the pulse of the greater Chapel Hill community.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Related Stories
‹
UNC Researcher Seeks to Reduce Plastic Waste Through Molecular Changes
Recycling plastic bottles or containers as an individual is important for improving your environmental impact and awareness of waste. But despite many individual efforts, a systemic change is needed to stop much of that plastic waste from still ending up in landfills or nature. A UNC researcher is looking to disrupt that system […]
Microplastics Are Everywhere, But Are They Harming Us?
Microplastics have been found in the ocean and the air, in our food and water — and in our bodies. But are they harming us?
Lego to Ditch Plastic Bags for Paper Ones in Its Boxed Sets
Lego said Tuesday that it will stop using plastic bags inside its boxed sets and replace them with paper ones. The Danish toymaker said it will start making the switch next year and expects plastic bags to be completely phased out in the next five years. The bags are used to hold loose bricks in […]
UNC Receives National, International Recognition for Sustainability Efforts
UNC has improved its sustainability efforts in the past two years, and it seems to be paying off. The university received recognition from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, AASHE, and from the University of Indonesia’s Green Metric. Chief sustainability officer and associate vice chancellor for campus enterprises Brad Ives defined […]
Biking! Drinking! Recycling! Driving! Housing! Reporting! Dancing!
There's a lot going on in our community, y'all.
Chansky's Notebook: Four Corners
Art Chansky discusses the different parts of the UNC administration which came together to deliver Monday's dud of a debut for Bill Belichick.
2025 UNC Football Opponent Preview: Charlotte
Carolina will make the short trip to the Queen City to visit the Charlotte 49ers Saturday at 7 p.m. Though it’s far from the first game UNC has ever played in the city of Charlotte, it will be the first time the Tar Heels have ever played on the campus of UNC-Charlotte (the university brands […]
UNC Women's Basketball Announces 2025-26 ACC Schedule
The ACC announced the full 2025-26 conference schedule for all women’s basketball programs Tuesday afternoon. As was the case during the 2024-25 season, UNC will play 18 conference games, facing 16 teams once and rival Duke twice. Been waiting on this one… The ACC schedule is 𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙀! pic.twitter.com/EKw7G5eVCY — Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) September 2, […]
Chansky’s Notebook: Balloon Burst
UNC football's blowout loss to TCU let the air out of the balloon for Bill Belichick's Carolina coaching debut and the national publicity.
TCU Spoils Belichick's Debut, Hammers UNC Football in 2025 Opener
The Chapel Bill Era is off to a terrible start. TCU scored 41 consecutive points to roll past the Tar Heels 48-14 at Kenan Stadium Monday night. It’s UNC’s first loss in a season opener since 2021 and its largest home loss since 2004. The 48 points allowed are the most ever given up by […]
›