EPR Legislation Not Included in Final New York State Budget Despite Governor's Support
A plan for an extended producer responsibility program for packaging was not included in New York’s final state budget, which passed this weekend, despite Gov. Kathy Hochul spearheading the initiative by naming it a “landmark proposal” and including it in her executive budget.
Climate change threat from plastic
Although plastic pollution does pose a major and growing danger to marine wildlife, ecosystems, fisheries, and human health, plastic is, unfortunately, not just a threat to our oceans. Plastic is also a major threat to our climate and our collective future, a fact overlooked in most climate change programs, including the important new Biden climate agenda.
Chemical recycling won’t solve our plastics problem
The industry claims that this technological approach enables the true recycling of plastics back into the same kind of plastics. Unfortunately, despite the industry fanfare, chemical recycling is not a viable technology and is almost exclusively used to burn plastic waste as a heavily polluting, greenhouse gas emitting fuel.
Mail-back plastic recycling is carbon-intensive, advocates claim
Shipping used plastic forks and cups, ketchup packets, and potato chip bags to a recycling center is carbon intensive, environmental advocates say.
Though ship-back programs are currently small in the US now, they could contribute to climate change if they expand, according to the groups Beyond Plastics and The Last Beach Cleanup.
Plastic recycling could be more dangerous than you think
Efforts to end plastic pollution with recycling could leave people and the environment laden with poisonous chemicals, a new study has found.
Why this Louisiana plastics plant has become a national lightning rod for environmentalists
Some critics and outside observers say Formosa has become an early test case in a battle over the expansion of plastics production in North America, which some environmentalists see as the next front in the battle with 'Big Oil.'
New science on microplastics suggests macro problems
With hundreds of millions of tonnes of plastic discarded into the environment over the past few decades, scientists are now learning that what is visible is only the tip of the plastic waste iceberg.
Plastic is part of the carbon cycle and needs to be included in climate calculations
Plastic pollution and climate change are two prominent environmental issues of our time.
New action on horizon for sustainable materials management under Biden, experts predict
Recycling market development and food waste are among many issues stakeholders hope will receive renewed federal engagement, despite limited attention in the president's agenda to date.
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.
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.
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.
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.