Plasticenta: First evidence of microplastics in human placenta
Reports Aila West Reports Aila West

Plasticenta: First evidence of microplastics in human placenta

Microplastics are particles smaller than five millimeters deriving from the degradation of plastic objects present in the environment. Microplastics can move from the environment to living organisms, including mammals. In this study, six human placentas, collected from consenting women with physiological pregnancies, were analyzed by Raman Microspectroscopy to evaluate the presence of microplastics.

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Are Bioplastics and Plant-Based Materials Safer Than Conventional Plastics? In Vitro Toxicity and Chemical Composition
Reports Andrew Craigie Reports Andrew Craigie

Are Bioplastics and Plant-Based Materials Safer Than Conventional Plastics? In Vitro Toxicity and Chemical Composition

Plastics contain a complex mixture of known and unknown chemicals; some of which can be toxic. Bioplastics and plant-based materials are marketed as sustainable alternative to conventional plastics. However, little is known with regard to the chemicals they contain and the safety of these compounds. Thus, we extracted 43 everyday bio-based and/or biodegradable products as well as their precursors, covering mostly food contact materials made of nine material types, and characterized these extracts using in vitro bioassays and non-target high-resolution mass spectrometry.

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Choked, Strangled, Drowned: The Plastics Crisis Unfolding In Our Oceans
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Choked, Strangled, Drowned: The Plastics Crisis Unfolding In Our Oceans

After surveying dozens of government agencies, organizations and institutions that collect data on the impact of plastic on marine animals, Oceana found evidence of nearly 1,800 animals from 40 different species swallowing or becoming entangled in plastic since 2009. Of those, a staggering 88% were species listed as endangered or threatened with extinction under the Endangered Species Act.

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Plastic’s Toxic Additives and The Circular Economy
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Plastic’s Toxic Additives and The Circular Economy

This Plastic’s Toxic Additives and the Circular Economy publication describes a number of general issues concerning the problems associated with plastics and the obstacles to adopting a circular economy approach, and focuses in particular on the problems related to chemical additives.

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All Talk and No Recycling: An Investigation of the U.S. 'Chemical Recycling' Industry
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All Talk and No Recycling: An Investigation of the U.S. 'Chemical Recycling' Industry

This report provides an assessment of failed, proposed, and existing projects in the United States and demonstrates that the industry is once again proposing to build a new network of waste and burn facilities. Under the guise of “chemical” or “advanced” recycling, the industry is lobbying for and advancing development of plastic-to-fuel (PTF) facilities that will only make the plastic crisis worse while diverting public and private investment dollars away from real solutions.

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Plastic & Climate: The Hidden Cost of a Plastic Planet
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Plastic & Climate: The Hidden Cost of a Plastic Planet

The plastic pollution crisis that overwhelms our oceans is also a significant and growing threat to the Earth’s climate. At current levels, greenhouse gas emissions from the plastic lifecycle threaten the ability of the global community to keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C. With the petrochemical and plastic industries planning a massive expansion in production, the problem is on track to get much worse.

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Understanding Beverage Container Recycling
Reports Andrew Craigie Reports Andrew Craigie

Understanding Beverage Container Recycling

Recycling rates are declining, even though the tonnage recovered is relatively flat. Reasons for this include: the fact that growth is dominated by PET containers (with an emphasis on single-serve beverages often consumed away-from-home); increasing range of beverage types (that may complicate recycling education and/or may not be covered in recovery programs); the maturation of curbside and drop-off collection programs (i.e., few new programs are being added); declining support and funding for recycling; and the declining relative value of deposit amounts adopted in past years.

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