California Opens Investigation Into ‘Decades-Long Plastics Deception Campaign’
California’s attorney general has announced an unprecedented investigation into the fossil fuel industry — not for its knowledge about climate change, but for its role in causing the global plastics pollution crisis.
‘Enough Is Enough’: California Subpoenas Exxonmobil Over Plastic Pollution
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced that his department will be undertaking a first-of-its-kind investigation to determine the role that the fossil fuel and petrochemical industries have played in the escalating global plastics crisis. The California Department of Justice is narrowing down on one company in particular: ExxonMobil, a corporation that’s previously been pegged as being the greatest polluter of single-use plastics in the world.
What to Know About Plastics and Our Health
Look around your home……plastic is everywhere. It’s in our furniture, clothing, cosmetics, cleaners, medicine and all kinds of household items. It’s on our food, lining cans, packaging our fruits, vegetables, chips, cereal, meat and more. We now know that tiny plastic particles can be found in our water, soil and air. We breathe in nano and micro particles, ingesting about 5 grams — or about credit card’s worth — of particles each week
Bottled Water Giant Bluetriton Admits Claims of Recycling and Sustainability Are “Puffery”
In ongoing litigation over the greenwashing of plastic recycling, the bottled water company BlueTriton made a revealing argument: its claims of being environmentally friendly aren’t violations of the law, because they are “aspirational.”
Microplastics Are in Our Bodies. How Much Do They Harm Us?
As plastic waste proliferates around the world, an essential question remains unanswered: What harm, if any, does it cause to human health?
Bill Nye and Coca-Cola Called Out for ‘Greenwashing’
Bill Nye and Coca-Cola are being called out for alleged ‘greenwashing’ in their recent partnership.
Reducing New York's Manufactured Waste
Beyond Plastics President Judith Enck discusses her environmental agenda for the remainder of the legislative session, including curtailing the use of plastic straws, updating the state's recycling deposit law and encouraging producers to reduce their waste.
States Awash in Plastic Packaging Want Manufacturers to Pay Up
Maine and Oregon have passed laws that force plastic producers to bear some costs of waste management, and Massachusetts and Colorado may be next.
Trash or Recycling? Why Plastic Keeps Us Guessing.
The universal symbol for recycling, known as the “chasing arrows” logo, is stamped on so many things. But that doesn’t mean they’re recyclable.
A Shot In The Arm For Recycling – And The Environment
In January, Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill into law that aims to build on and bolster recycling efforts across New Jersey by requiring more recycled content in a variety of packaging products. These include plastic and paper shopping bags, plastic food and drink containers, plastic trash bags, and glass bottles and containers.
Why Are Plastic Bags So Bad For New Jersey's Environment That We Need A Ban?
Environmentalists say banning such bags is a big step toward reducing the ever-growing problem of plastic pollution.
Plastic Use In Agriculture Is Contributing To Climate Change
Plastic in fields—such as for mulching, enclosing hoop houses, and constructing greenhouses is drastically changing the rural landscape.
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.
Plastic Is Everywhere Except In Democrats' Plans For A Fossil Fuel-Free Future
It’s the overlooked — often forgotten — petroleum product left out of Democrats’ clean energy agenda: plastics. The petrochemical industry is on pace to become the leading driver of global oil demand and potentially more difficult for opponents of greenhouse gases to eliminate than gasoline-powered cars.
Microplastics Found Deep In Lungs Of Living People For First Time
Microplastic pollution has been discovered lodged deep in the lungs of living people for the first time. The particles were found in almost all the samples analysed.
Questions Over Plastics Policy In Budget Remain Given Plastic Connections By Lobbyists
A nonprofit with ties to Exxon Mobile and the American Chemistry Council is lobbying state officials on a policy that could alter the way New York handles recycling, alarming certain environmental groups.
Hochul, Plastics Industry and Green Groups Battle Over Recycling Proposal
Rather than try to improve Hochul’s proposal, some environmentalists want to scrap it and instead concentrate on a forthcoming bill from Assemblymember Steve Englebright.
Microplastics Have Been Found In Human Blood. Now What?
A new study that found microplastics in human blood is being heralded as a scientific advancement in the small but growing body of research suggesting that the nanoparticles could affect human health.
Alarm As Microplastics Are Found In Human Blood For The First Time
Microplastics, which have polluted air, water and food, have now been found in human blood.
Commentary: Fix Flaws In New York’s Plastic Packaging Waste Proposals
EPR is not a state spending issue and should be put aside until after the budget passes on April 1. Then the governor and Senate can work with the Assembly to create an EPR program for New York that actually fixes our packaging crisis and reduces plastic pollution. This is too important not to get right.