Plastic Pollution

Three years ago, California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, signed off on the country’s strongest plastic reduction policy. The legislation, known as SB 54, gave the state recycling agency until 2025 to write rules to dramatically slash sales of single-use plastic. At the time, Newsom called the law “nation-leading,” and…

Thousands of tonnes of plastic pollution could be escaping into the environment every year … from our mouths. Most chewing gum on sale is made from a variety of oil-based synthetic rubbers – similar to the plastic material used in car tyres. If you find that thought slightly unsettling, you…

Microplastics Are Messing with Photosynthesis in Plants Microplastics can cut a plant’s ability to photosynthesize by up to 12 percent, new research shows By Joanna Thompson edited by Andrea Thompson Plastic sheeting surrounds young zucchini crops. Timothy Hearsum/Design Pics/Getty Images Microplastics are now a ubiquitous part of our daily physical…

Seagrass is one of the UK’s most important marine habitats Kier’s new partnership with the Ocean Conservation Trust’s Blue Meadows initiative involves funding seagrass meadows research and the launch of an 18-month post-graduate research project with the University of Plymouth. It is being billed as the most detailed study in…

University of Hawaiʻi Plastic is the most prevalent marine pollutant, and plastic surfaces are the fastest growing habitat in the ocean. Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa recently discovered that many species of fungi from Hawaiʻi's nearshore environment have the ability to degrade plastic , and some can…

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Hawaii is home to some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. Striking blue waters, lush jungles, and pristine beaches make it a paradise. It’s also home to other unique inhabitants, such as sea turtles, dolphins, and… plastics?  According to a new study from the University of Hawai‘i (UH) at Mānoa,…

ITHACA, N.Y. - Feb. 12, 2025 - PRLog -- Grassroots organization Zero Waste Ithaca (ZWI) has filed a lawsuit against Cornell University and the City of Ithaca for violating the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR). The lawsuit challenges the approval of synthetic turf fields, which pose significant…

NSW Gov Three pioneering projects have been awarded $1.25 million by the NSW Government to tackle plastic pollution through innovative and impactful solutions. Previous governments left Greater Sydney on the brink of a waste crisis. Without new waste and recycling solutions, Greater Sydney's landfill capacity will be exhausted by 2030.…

Marine scientists and policy experts from nine international research and conservation institutions share their list of the top ocean news stories from 2024. Hopeful developments this past year include advancing innovations in mapping technologies, legal strategies and financial instruments to protect the ocean and greater inclusion of Indigenous peoples and…