Plastic
Plastic News
Solving the plastic problem: Scientists are trying to synthesise mushrooms to replace plastic
A mushroom may hold the answer to all of our problems caused by plastic. Studies have shown that the mushroom Fomes fomentarius, can be synthesised to create a plastic alternative that is super strong, and can also decompose over time.
Old video of boat designed to clear oceans of plastic waste goes viral again; watch
According to its creator Yvan Bourgon, just 400 of these boats could clean up a third of the ocean’s plastic waste. A working prototype of the Manta boat is expected to be launched in 2024
Explained: 3 ways countries can make single-use plastic bans more effective
Single-use plastic bans can inspire wider changes to social systems. But without planned access to alternatives, a phased introduction, and efforts to nurture public support, product bans have a limited effect on plastic pollution
Alternatives to single-use plastic: Delhi government to urge Centre to reduce GST rates on raw materials
The Delhi government will request Centre to reduce GST rates on raw material to manufacture alternatives to single-use plastics
Explained: What are plastic-munching superworms which could revolutionise recycling?
Scientists at Australia's University of Queensland have now discovered that superworms, the larvae of Zophobas morio darkling beetles, are eager to dine on polystyrene, and their gut enzymes could hold the key to higher recycling rates
Elephant in the room: How plastic spoons, glass entered the diet of wild pachyderms in India
Researchers have warned that while trash passes through the digestive systems of elephants, the animals could be ingesting a slew of chemicals that may contribute to declines in population numbers and survival rates
Explained: How COVID-19 contributed to plastic pollution and overwhelmed waste management system
In the past year, in the midst of an unfolding catastrophe like the coronavirus pandemic, we've also added more plastic to our daily use: PPE kits, gloves, face shields, N95 masks
COVID exposed the broken system of the plastic production and recycling sector: Here’s how we can fix it
Since before the pandemic, governments worldwide have shown a tendency to seek quick-fix solutions to plastic pollution in order to signal a decisive stance on sustainability.
Insidious danger: Microplastics have made their way to the remotest corners of earth
Even pristine rain and snow now contain a cocktail of different types of microplastics, chemicals, natural and artificial particles
Cost of cleaning up plastic pollution around the world in 2019 amounted to $3.7 trillion: WWF report
WWF said societies were "unknowingly subsiding" plastic, with their estimates for the lifetime costs of 2019 production equivalent to more than India's GDP.
Migratory animals are 'most vulnerable' to plastic pollution, microplastics finds UN Asia-Pacific regional report
Researchers cited estimates that 80 percent of the plastic that ends up in the oceans originates on land -- with rivers thought to play a key role in carrying debris out to sea.
Indian moves to phase out single-use plastic items by 2022: Here are all the plastic items that will be banned
India generates around 25,940 tonnes of plastic waste per day and approximately 9.46 million tonnes of plastic waste per year.
UN exhibition showcases 28 images of plastic pollution around the world
Plastic waste can take anywhere from 20 to 500 years to decompose, and even then, it never fully disappears; it just gets smaller and smaller.
No end in sight: Sri Lanka faces its worst marine crisis as plastic from burning ship washes ashore
Sri Lanka's MEPA said the microplastic pollution could cause years of ecological damage to the island.
Market for environment-friendly chocolates grows, as brands adopt low-waste processes, socially conscious attitude
Among the concerns that businesses are focused on to reduce environmental impact are low waste packaging, sourcing from organic farms, and using low-energy machinery.
Plastic pollution: How can chemical recycling technology help fix this global issue?
Plastics are here to stay and production expected to exceed one billion tonnes by 2050, chemical recycling is promising.
Plastic pollution: What happens to the plastic after it enters the ocean?
Around ten million tonnes enter the ocean, but scientists estimate that only about 0.3 million tonnes of plastic is floating at the ocean surface.
Many fish species, including those that are consumed by humans, are eating plastic
There is evidence that that microplastics and even smaller particles called nano plastics move from a fish’s stomach to its muscle tissue, which is the part humans typically eat.
Ocean pollution is a mix of plastic, chemicals, toxic metals and is a clear danger to human health
More than ten million tonnes of plastic enter the seas every year; they are made of chemicals that interfere with hormones, cause cancer, birth defects, and reduced fertility.
Thailand recycle ghost nets into useful plastic items to fight coronavirus pandemic
Net Free Seas has salvaged 15 tons of waste netting from sea waters in its first year of operation.