Beware of rabbit holes...

Whenever the growing pile of plastic waste in front of her door takes up too much space, Asinate Lewabeka has a simple solution. She sets it on fire.

Old article for reference purposes. May be out of date... Would be useful for someone to follow up.

The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the largest sporting event ever to serve beverages in reusable packaging, potentially replacing millions of single-use plastic cups.

Paper outlines different legal theories that could help governments pursue accountability for harms

A review of interrelated problems and solutions to help avoid unintended consequences

The European Union (EU) has warned that other governments’ “delaying tactics” will make it “very difficult” to agree a new global treaty to tackle plastic pollution by the end of this year, as planned.

Furniture, clothing and food packaging can all shed tiny particles that can end up in our bodies.

Pollution from the plastics industry is a major force behind the heating of the planet, according to a new report from the federal government.

The negotiations between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the EC about packaging law produced a result. Here is what the stakeholders agreed on - and the criticism of some of the results.

In an unprecedented move, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on April 25 simultaneously finalized four major environmental rules covering greenhouse gases (GHG), air toxics, wastewater discharges, and coal combustion residuals from fossil fuel-fired power plants.

The UK government is providing a €700m (£600m) guarantee for the billionaire Jim Ratcliffe to build the biggest petrochemical plant in Europe in 30 years that will turbocharge plastic production.

The Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution dialogues aim to facilitate further engagement and discussion among the stakeholders in International Geneva and beyond. In addition, they intend to address the plastic crisis and support coordinated approaches that can lead to more efficient decision making.

A framework designed to reshape our understanding of the impact of pollution on the ocean and radically reform our approach to preventing and addressing it.

On October 31st, 2023 The Ellen MacArthur Foundation released The Global Commitment 2023 Report, determining what progress (if any) the top Fast-Moving Consumer Good brands–or top plastic polluters–are making on plastic packaging. Here are our members' reactions:

The whole thing is a very dangerous manipulation/alienation of the science of plastic

NGOs call on EU policymakers to develop ambitious phase out strategies for the harmful plastic

There are existing solutions to plastic pollution but some “solutions” cause more harm than good to people and the environment.

Link for webinar requested

The UK's Deposit Return Scheme has lost its way - we need to move it forward

Case Study for reference. The University of San Francisco saved more than $150,000 in disposable foodware costs each year by eliminating more than 2 million packaging items with a ReThink Disposable pilot program.

Useful discussion about PlasticsEurope report on recycling (from 2017 but still relevant)

On October 31st, 2023 The Ellen MacArthur Foundation released The Global Commitment 2023 Report, determining what progress (if any) the top Fast-Moving Consumer Good brands–or top plastic polluters–are making on plastic packaging.

What chemical changes take place in plastic bottles?

Includes: What’s just happened?
What was achieved?
Notable points for financial institutions
What’s next?
Memorable quotes

Population exposure to the synthetic chemical Bisphenol A (BPA), which is used in everything from plastic and metal food containers to reusable water bottles and drinking water pipes in Europe is well above acceptable health safety levels, according to updated research data. This poses a potential health risk to millions of people, a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published today says.

Ohio environmentalists and oil companies are teaming up to oppose the disposal of fracking wastewater underground in the state. They worry that the waste could leak and contaminate clean water sources and productive oil wells.

by Plastic Solutions Fund - Newsweek 22 June 2023

Exclusive: Waste firms and councils accused of ‘greenwashing’ with false claims over burning rubbish for energy - Open Democracy Report 17 June 2023

Paris, France – Over 150 civil society groups and scientists from around the world, including ethologist, anthropologist and United Nations Messenger of Peace Dr. Jane Goodall, have signed on to an open letter urging the UN to act now

First analysis of plastics’ hazards over life cycle – from extraction to disposal – also shows ‘deep societal injustices’ of impact

Salt is now one of the many sources through which humans ingest microplastics. They are also found in seafood, air, fruits and vegetables. Globally, India is among the leading countries in salt production.

Rethink Plastic position paper on the PPWP. This will form the basis of our advocacy with the Parliament and Council in the crucial weeks coming up.

Environmental campaigner Hemantha Withanage is adamant that the purchase of plastic-bottled water should be discouraged.

Some more ideas for future blogs

top findings show reuse beats single-use every time

​

​

​

​

​

capacity problems across swathes of the country are putting at risk the Government’s plans to improve Britain’s energy security and cut carbon emissions.

​

​

Don’t eat meat? Don’t fly? Doesn’t matter. Individual action to curb your carbon footprint barely makes a dent in the struggle against climate change, according to Assaad Razzouk,.

Assessing the effectiveness of diverse climate mitigation approaches

Despite risk of disasters like East Palestine, the vinyl lobby has poured millions of dollars over the years into convincing lawmakers that PVC plastic is safe and sustainable.

HOW THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IS FIGHTING TO KEEP POLLUTING THE WORLD

as waste management and recycling fall short, says OECD.
Globally, only 9% of plastic waste is recycled while 22% is mismanaged

Breaking carbon lock-ins through three mitigation pathways

The money behind INEOS and Borealis
by Amadeo Ghiotto May 2022
Posted by Antoinette Vermilye

The role of international trade in realizing an inclusive circular economy

Basel Action Network:
Welcome to the information clearinghouse of the Plastic Waste Transparency Project, otherwise known as "The Hub".

In an historic win for people, nature and the climate, a Belgian court has ruled that INEOS’s€3 billion plastics project in the Port of Antwerp, Belgium, is not legal. The project is now suspended. Client Earth 20 July 2023

The school is on stilts, the shore has advanced by 2km – and the mangroves that used to reduce the waves have been lost for shrimp farms. How long can residents stay ahead of rising sea levels? Guardian 1st July 2023

The Gulf Stream system could collapse as soon as 2025, a new study suggests. The shutting down of the vital ocean currents, called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (Amoc) by scientists, would bring catastrophic climate impacts. Guardian 25 JUly 2023

​