Plastic Pollution

"Alarming" levels of microplastic have been found in major rivers across Europe according to scientists in 14 studies published simultaneously Monday. "Alarming" levels of microplastic have been found in major rivers across Europe according to scientists in 14 studies published simultaneously Monday. "The pollution is present in all European rivers"…

Microplastics are a growing ecological and human health crisis: Scientist have found the tiny plastic particles everywhere they’ve looked for them, including human placentas and brains. In a new documentary, Plastic People, filmmakers Rick Smith and Peter Raymont delve into the plastic pollution that contaminates people from before birth and…

A new study in Peru and Ecuador has found that artisanal fishers are losing revenue due to prolific plastic pollution in the ocean. Researchers surveyed 1,349 artisanal fishers in Ecuador and Peru and found that the more waste generated locally, the greater the financial losses. This is reflected in the…

Published Mar 23rd, 2025 9:02AM EDT Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time, but researchers at Northwestern University may have found a new solution. Their newly developed method can break down plastic using nothing more than moisture from the air, offering a clean, energy-efficient alternative…

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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