Plastic Pollution

In December 2024, the global community expected the parties at the fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) meeting in Busan, South Korea, to produce a landmark treaty to address the planet’s plastic pollution crisis. The event was intended to be the final opportunity for more than 170 United Nations (UN) member…

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Éanna Ní Lamhna on the scarlet elf cup, plastic pollution and a Kiwi invader Scarlet elf cup. Photograph supplied by Daphne Cushnahan I saw these eye-catching little cups growing on the forest floor among the leaves and branches. I have walked this path many times but never saw them before.…

A study published in Scientific Reports in April 2025 has revealed alarming levels of microplastic pollution in Burullus Lake, the second-largest lake in Egypt, in Kafr el-Sheikh Governorate,  and one of its most ecologically and economically vital bodies of water.  The research, led by Egyptian scientists at the National Institute…

Over 200 young individuals, led by UNICEF, gathered today at Marina Beach in Cross River for a monumental cleanup initiative aimed at reducing plastic pollution in water bodies. This action forms part of the Green Rising Initiative, a youth-driven campaign to safeguard the environment and combat the growing threat of…

"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…