The Know Daily - Wednesday 13 August 2025

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Petunia, a two-year-old hairless English–French bulldog mix rescue was crowned the 2025 “World’s Ugliest Dog” at the Sonoma County Fair. But it’s not as mean as it sounds! The contest aims to spotlight the beauty in every animal. By celebrating uniqueness and championing adoption, it's proof that every dog, no matter their looks, deserves love and a forever home. Also, we think Petunia is actually pretty cute 💗

♻️ Tackling plastic pollution

The UK Plastics Pact has been a game-changer in cutting plastic waste – but as it draws to a close, the big question is: what comes next?

What’s the pact all about?
The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) launched the initiative in 2018 as the first of a global network of pacts supported by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. It aimed to bring together businesses, governments and NGOs to create a circular economy for plastics in the UK. Members include well-known brands like Asda, Boots and Marks & Spencer. 

The pact set four key targets: eliminate single-use plastics; make all plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable; boost household and business recycling to at least 70%; and use at least 30% recycled materials in all packaging.

What has it achieved?
The latest report shows some positive progress over the last 7 years:

• 99.8% of single use plastics have been eliminated through things like removing plastic wrapping on fresh groceries, plastic straws and cutlery, plus transitioning to paper bags in shops. There’s also been a 57% reduction in polystyrene packaging.

• 70% of packaging in the UK is now recyclable or reusable, like refill stations in some supermarkets for cereals and refill pouches for toiletries to reduce plastic bottles.

• 59% of plastic packaging can now be fully recycled or composted with greater access to recycling points for bags and bottles in stores.

• 26% of plastic packaging is comprised of recycled materials on average.

Why is it ending now?
The Pact's 2025 end date was known from the start – it was always designed as a time-bound, pilot initiative. Whilst two targets are likely to be met in 2025 (100% elimination of single-use plastics and 30% recycled composition), there’s room for growth and the pact’s end date doesn’t mean it’s the end of tackling plastic pollution.

What’s next?
WRAP is transitioning towards a new voluntary agreement that builds on lessons from its plastics work and widens the scope to all packaging. The plan:

• Increase focus on recycling mixed-material items and phasing out hard-to-recycle designs from 2027.

• Work with brands to re-design packaging for better recyclability.

• Introduce more supermarket refill stations for everyday essentials, which will be added to a national recycling locator so shoppers can find them.

• Develop better guidance and infrastructure to handle compostable materials.

The new pact blends stronger regulation with innovation, aiming for a packaging system that’s truly circular. Its collaborative model has already inspired similar efforts in 22 countries and feeds into global talks like the United Nations Plastics Treaty. The bottom line: this isn’t the end of tackling plastic waste but the start of a bigger, bolder mission.

🐚 Mollusc medicine: A study has suggested that blowing into a conch shell could help tackle the symptoms of sleep apnoea. 

• The bigger story: The practice – known in India as Shankh blowing – could improve sleep and breathing, according to research conducted by Indian doctors. Conch blowing involves taking a deep breath before a forceful exhalation through the shell’s narrow opening, producing a loud tooting noise. Researchers believe this muscle engagement helps prevent airway collapse during sleep. Wild, right?

☀️ Heatwave hacks: The UK is experiencing its fourth heatwave of the summer – here are some tips on how to stay cool during the warm nights. 

🛌 Goblin mode, activated: “Bed-rotting” is the latest self-care trend to dominate TikTok, gaining popularity amongst Gen Z. 

🚜 Soil for soil: Charcoal made from human waste could help solve fertiliser shortages as well as reduce pollution, a study has found.

🛍️ Luxe locations: Brits have been heading to Europe for ‘cheaper’ luxury after tax-free shopping became possible for UK visitors in the EU following Brexit.

🌠 Senior shooting star: A meteorite that crashed into a home in Georgia back in June has now been revealed to be older than the Earth itself. 

💋 Summer lovin’: This summer has seemingly been the season of unexpected romances – but which do you relate to the most? Take The Observer’s quiz to discover which celeb couple you would be.

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Trivia answer: C) Finland’s beloved Moomins are celebrating their 80th literary birthday this year.

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