Steve Fletcher, University of Portsmouth The world produces a vast amount of plastic. Global plastic production increased from 2 million metric tons in 1950 to 348 million metric tons in 2017. Yet much of this plastic is wasted: 86% of the world’s plastic waste in 2016 was either incinerated, sent to landfill or leaked into… Continue reading Why the UK needs to stop exporting plastic waste
Tag: plastic pollution
Micro-plastics in the fish I eat
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISC) found out that pollutants like micro-plastics may be causing growth defects in fish, including skeletal deformities The other day, as I stepped out of my car to buy fish from a fisher folk on the bank of river Mahanadi, a waste carrier vehicle engaged by the local… Continue reading Micro-plastics in the fish I eat
Bottled water sales rose globally as pandemic took hold
Fiona Broom Families in some of the poorest parts of the world turned to buying bottled water as the pandemic sent countries into lockdown, with larger chunks of incomes being spent on drinking water, SciDev.Net analysis shows. Lack of access to safe water or adequate infrastructure, coupled with health concerns, drove up sales of bottled… Continue reading Bottled water sales rose globally as pandemic took hold
International Ministerial Conference to combat marine litter and plastic pollution asks for a binding global treaty
The conference was held in Geneva from the 1st to 2nd of September, both on site and virtually. More than 1000 representatives from 140 countries and numerous non-governmental organisations took part. More and more countries are campaigning for a globally binding agreement to fight marine litter and plastic waste in the environment. Representatives from the… Continue reading International Ministerial Conference to combat marine litter and plastic pollution asks for a binding global treaty
Over 200,000 tonnes of plastic leaking into the Mediterranean each year
A new IUCN report finds that an estimated 229,000 tonnes of plastic is leaking into the Mediterranean Sea every year, equivalent to over 500 shipping containers each day. Unless significant measures are taken to address mismanaged waste, the main source of the leakage, this will at least double by 2040. Based on a compilation of data… Continue reading Over 200,000 tonnes of plastic leaking into the Mediterranean each year
Reusable Plastic safe during COVID Pandemic: Health Experts
Over 125 health experts from 19 countries signed onto a statement assuring retailers and consumers that reusables are safe during COVID-19, pushing back on claims by the plastic industry. The health experts — joined by Greenpeace USA and UPSTREAM, both members of the Break Free From Plastic movement — emphasize that disposable products are not inherently… Continue reading Reusable Plastic safe during COVID Pandemic: Health Experts
The Mask: Where Is It Going?
Conservationists from across the globe have warned that ever since the COVID response begun, the oceans have been at the receiving end of more plastic pollution through discarded disposable face masks and gloves. With the lockdown being in force for about six weeks now, dolphins have started to show up in stretches of River Ganga,… Continue reading The Mask: Where Is It Going?
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