Conquering crises will rebuild America
We are in the midst of five crises — health, economic, environmental, racial and political — that demand immediate action to ensure the long-term health of our democracy, economy and environment.
There is an Alarming Amount of Microplastics in Farm Soil—and Our Food Supply
More microplastics are contaminating agricultural lands than oceans, impacting plant development and ending up in produce and people.
The Climate Crisis: Interview With Judith Enck
Climate change advocate and author Bill McKibben interviews Beyond Plastics President and former EPA Regional Administrator, Judith Enck about plastics’ role in our climate crisis.
Jim Hightower: The problem with plastic ... is plastic
From ubiquitous carryout bags and shower curtains to almost-invisible microplastics, the vast tonnage of this trash increases every minute and has an afterlife lasting centuries, wreaking havoc on ecosystems; destroying species; and infusing our water, air, soil, food — and us.
DEC bungled plastic bag ban so badly state must pay plaintiffs' court costs, judge rules
New York’s rollout of its plastic bag ban last year was so muddled and confusing that a judge awarded court fees to the plaintiffs who had sued over the prohibition.
Environmental efforts key for Biden, but industry expects limited recycling policy movement in 2021
While existing initiatives are likely to make headway, and Democratic majorities in Congress could affect certain legislation, trade groups don't anticipate major changes due to a crowded agenda.
The Biggest Thing Missing From Joe Biden's Climate Plan: Plastic
President-elect Joe Biden has promised to decarbonize the U.S. electricity grid by 2035 and implement a host of other climate policies, which in theory would discourage fossil fuel companies from extracting more oil and gas. But instead, it could just push them to find other uses for their products: Specifically, plastic—unless his administration comes up with a plan to stop them from doing so.
Big Oil’s flagship plastic waste project sinks on the Ganges
The closure of Renew Oceans, which has not previously been reported, is a sign that an industry whose financial future is tied to the growth of plastic production is falling short of its targets to curb the resulting increase in waste, according to two environmental groups.
Walmart to go 'bagless' February 15
Walmart is converting all Vermont stores to bagless, effective February 15.
What’s the bigger climate threat: Single-use plastic or long-haul shipping?
Ask Umbra discusses question on climate threat of single-use plastic versus CO2 emissions from shipping.
Editorial: Plastic trash is not just litter. It’s a climate change problem, too
President-elect Joe Biden will have a long to-do list the moment he takes over the White House this month. Plastic trash should be one of his priorities. Here’s why.
Small Particles, Big Problems?
Scientists Grapple with Many Unknowns about Microplastics and Their Impact on the Chesapeake Bay.
Energy & Environment Power 100
As climate change poses a growing threat across the globe, New York has been mounting an increasingly aggressive response with measures to slash carbon emissions, invest in renewable power and boost energy efficiency across the board. City & State’s Energy & Environment Power 100 identifies the key players who are driving the debate – and the policies – here in New York.
Green Radio Hour with Jon Bowermaster
Former EPA regional administrator and Beyond Plastics president, Judith Enck and former Sierra Club president, Aaron Mair join host Jon Bowermaster for a 2020 wrap-up and predictions about the Biden Administration and its environmental team.
This Is How Much Plastic From Amazon Deliveries Ends Up In The Ocean
Online retail giant Amazon generated almost 500 million pounds of plastic packaging last year, more than 22 million pounds of which ended up in rivers and oceans, a new report has claimed, potentially threatening efforts by CEO Jeff Bezos to burnish his firm’s sustainability credentials.
Hundreds Of Environmental Groups Call For 'Presidential Plastics Action Plan'
Hundreds of environmental groups are calling on President-Elect Biden to enact a Presidential Plastics Action Plan.
One Answer to America’s Recycling Problems—Make Big Brands Pay
Consumer-product makers are under pressure to pitch in as customers and lawmakers pay more attention to plastic waste
E.P.A.’s Final Deregulatory Rush Runs Into Open Staff Resistance
With two months left of the Trump administration, career E.P.A. employees find themselves where they began, in a bureaucratic battle with the agency’s political leaders. But now, with the Biden administration on the horizon, they are emboldened to stymie Mr. Trump’s goals and to do so more openly.
Brand interest in reuse rising, but it still accounts for less than 2% of plastic packaging market
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation's latest progress report on where consumer goods companies stand on the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment shows substantial work ahead.
These Items in Your Home Are Harming America’s Sea Animals
A new report by Oceana, a conservation group, illustrates some of what we know about how plastic affects sea turtles and marine mammals in United States waters.
The findings offer a glimpse of a larger problem.