Most Plastic in the U.S. Can’t Be Recycled
While Americans often diligently sort and recycle plastics at home, only 5% of plastics in the U.S. can actually be recycled. Judith Enck of the non-profit Beyond Plastics joins us to talk about plastic pollution and solutions to it.
To Turn Off the Plastics Tap, We Must Grow the Grassroots Movement
Each year 11 million tons of plastics enter the ocean primarily from land-based sources. If we don’t work to curb plastics production, that amount will triple by 2060. At that point there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. There will be so many dreadful statistics in our future if we allow the plastics industry to conduct business as usual, and this is what drove me to start a new organization with the central mission to end plastic pollution everywhere.
EU Urged To Mandate Microplastic Filters In New Washing Machines
The European Union (EU) has been urged to mandate the fitting of filters in all new washing machines to tackle the growing issue of microplastic pollution. The call has been made in a new whitepaper, which has been delivered to European Commission members ahead of an EU initiative to tackle microplastics, due to be published next month.
UDC to Host ‘Plastics: Damning the Delaware’ Presentation on April 6
Creshkoff began checking glass-clad buildings in lower Manhattan in 1997 for bird collisions. The effort was adopted by NYC Audubon and is now known as Project Safe Flight. A vegetarian for ethical reasons since age 10 and full vegan since 2019 to reduce her carbon footprint, Judith Enck’s Beyond Plastic Pollution class inspired her to turn her skills to fight the prevalence of plastic.
Voters Express Concern About Plastic Pollution, Strongly Support Mitigation Proposals
Recent polling conducted by Data for Progress demonstrates that likely voters are concerned about plastic pollution and its impact on our environment and oceans, and feel as though they are doing what they can do individually to combat pollution. However, voters believe that the plastics industry has the greatest responsibility and the most opportunity to combat plastic pollution, but lack confidence that the industry will enact change without standards for accountability. Consequently, we find strong support for a variety of measures that would reduce plastic pollution.
Challenge to Reduce Plastic Consumption on Global Recycling Day
President of Beyond Plastics speaks about the environmental impact of our plastic consumption.
The Plastic Water Bottle Industry Is Booming. Here’s Why That’s a Huge Problem
The bottled water industry is a juggernaut. More than 1 million bottles of water are sold every minute around the world and the industry shows no sign of slowing down, according to a new report. Global sales of bottled water are expected to nearly double by 2030. But the industry’s enormous global success comes at a huge environmental, climate and social cost, according to the report published Thursday by the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, which analyzes the industry’s global impacts.
Here’s How Many Times You Need to Reuse Your Reusable Grocery Bags
Many of us are drowning in reusable bags — cloth totes or thicker, more durable plastic bags — that retailers sell cheaply or give away to customers as an ostensibly greener alternative to single-use plastic. Campaigners say these bag hoards are creating fresh environmental problems, with reusable bags having a much higher carbon footprint than thin plastic bags.
Microplastics Are Filling the Skies. Will They Affect the Climate?
Recent studies reveal that tiny pieces of plastic are constantly lofted into the atmosphere. These particles can travel thousands of miles and affect the formation of clouds, which means they have the potential to impact temperature, rainfall, and even climate change.
Pediatrician Describes Health Risks and Solutions to Country’s Plastics Problem
A medical doctor and epidemiologist with decades of experience in pollution’s impact on the health of people, animals, and nature reminded a national audience recently that “disease, disability, and death occur across the whole life cycle of plastic,” from production through use and disposal.
Why Walmart Is Eliminating Single-Use Bags in Some States but Not Others
Walmart will eliminate single-use paper and plastic carryout bags at the register from stores in New York, Connecticut and Colorado this month. The company previously stopped giving out single-use plastic bags in New York and Connecticut and in some areas in Colorado. Walmart offers reusable shopping bags starting at 74 cents for customers without their own bags.
How Microplastics Are Infiltrating the Food You Eat
Plastic pollution is one of the defining legacies of our modern way of life, but it is now so widespread it is even finding its way into fruit and vegetables as they grow.
Senators Press Industry on Plastic Waste Impacts
During a two-hour hearing, U.S. senators questioned industry experts about chemicals in plastics, marine plastic pollution and extended producer responsibility. The Dec. 15 hearing by the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works’ Subcommittee on Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice and Regulatory Oversight brought four panelists together to answer questions from legislators.
Senate Hearing Looks at Bottle Bills, Chemical Recycling, Other Methods to Urgently Reduce Plastic Pollution
At the Senate committee hearing on plastics, the Plastics Industry Association’s CEO warmed to bottle bill possibilities but clashed with Beyond Plastics on chemical recycling’s risks and merits.
Greens Push to Oust Coke From COP 27 Sponsorship
Two environmental groups want a major beverage giant pushed out of the world’s largest climate conference over plastics concerns, arguing the material has become “the new coal” and warrants a major response. Just Zero and Beyond Plastics, two U.S. based-groups, called on the United Nations Climate Change Conference to kick Coca-Cola Co, out as a sponsor of this year’s COP 27 on Wednesday.
Dangers of Plastic Pollution Energize Citizens and Scientists as Lawmakers Devise Controls
That plastic spoon that I used to eat my takeout salad today will remain on Earth for as long as the planet exists. Except for the 1% of “bioplastics” made from corn or other plants, 99% of plastics are made from fossil fuels and a mixture of 10,000 petrochemical additives, also made from oil and gas. They do not biodegrade.
Plastic Leaching Into Farmer’s Fields at Alarming Rate: New Report
Plastics are accumulating in the world’s soils at a worrying rate, according to a new report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The 29th edition of UNEP’s Foresight Brief highlights how plastics used extensively in farming – from plastic coated plastic fertilizers to mulch film – are contaminating the soil and potentially threatening food security. Microplastics are also impacting human health when transferred to people through the food chain.
Researchers Are Examining Plastic’s Many Hazards to Human Health
A panel of researchers is comprehensively analyzing the multiple hazards that plastic poses to human health throughout the material’s life cycle. The study is examining the human health effects from fossil fuel extraction for use as plastic feedstocks, everyday use and disposal of plastic, and plastic pollution, the researchers say in a paper.
Taking Plastic Packaging BACK to the Store to Push CEOs to Skip Single-Use Plastic
Learn more about the fantastic plastic packaging take-backs Beyond Plastics advocates hosted outside major grocery chains across the country this Plastic Free July.
The US Only Recycled About 5% Of Plastic Waste Last Year
A new report highlights recycling's failure to keep up with growing volumes of plastic trash.