Waste pickers risk their lives to stop plastic pollution – now they could help shape global recycling policies: International waste pickers and allies visiting a sorting plant in Montevideo, Uruguay. Patrick O'Hare, Author provided Globally, waste pickers are responsible for collecting and recovering – from homes, businesses and landfills – up to 60% of all …
Why the UK needs to stop exporting plastic waste: The mismanagement of plastic waste is one of the main causes of plastic pollution in nature. Larina Marina/Shutterstock The world produces a vast amount of plastic. Global plastic production increased from 2 million metric tons in 1950 to 348 million metric tons in 2017. Yet much …
African digital innovators are turning plastic waste into value — but there are gaps: Plastic waste in Kampala, Uganda. Omer Faruk Ozbil/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Plastic pollution is a growing global menace. Between 2010 and 2020, the global production of plastics increased from 270 million tonnes to 367 million tonnes. Every year, more than …
The plastic crisis has deep corporate roots: to protect our planet, they need to be exposed: Plastic pollution is a growing global problem. Shutterstock This spring, I taught a new undergraduate course in environmental sociology. Most of my students took the course because they were curious to see what their desire to live more sustainably …
Plastic pollution in Nigeria is poorly studied but enough is known to urge action: Plastic waste from land based sources pollute the beaches and other water bodies. Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP via GettyImages In recent years, the amount of plastic in the environment has become a global concern. With the world population approaching eight billion, more …
Plastic pollution: European farmland could be largest global reservoir of microplastics: Dylan de Jonge/Unsplash, CC BY-SA Plastic particles smaller than 5mm (known as microplastics) are well-documented pollutants in ocean and freshwater habitats. The discovery of microplastics in the most remote rivers of the Himalayas and the deepest trenches of the Pacific Ocean has sparked widespread …
Plastic waste treaty: expert Q&A on the promise of a global agreement to reduce pollution: Yudhistirama/Shutterstock The flow of plastic entering the ocean is expected to double by 2040. To prevent this tsunami of difficult-to-decompose waste, experts have proposed a global treaty which could oblige all nations to reduce how much plastic they produce and …
Nigeria’s plastic pollution is harming the environment: steps to combat it are overdue: Pius Utomi Ekpei/ AFP via Getty Images A key theme at this year’s United Nations Environment Assembly in Kenya is plastic pollution. It will be returning to a theme from 2018 World Environment Day. The evidence for the prevalence and consequences of …
Informal waste collection shouldn’t let plastic polluters off the hook: here’s why: It’s unrealistic to expect that people can make enough money from collecting bottles to start their own business. Gulshan Khan via Getty Images There are an estimated 60,000 informal waste pickers, also known as reclaimers, in South Africa. They sift through mixed household …
The wiring in your plane could soon be made from recycled plastic — new research: Lightening aeroplanes' loads helps to reduce their emissions. TobiasRehbein/Pixabay Every aeroplane contains a complex network of electrical cabling that keeps it flying smoothly. For every four passengers in a modern aircraft, you can expect about one mile of cable. That …
Plastic waste is hurting women in developing countries – but there are ways to stop it: The burden of dealing with plastic waste tends to fall on the shoulders of developing countries. Tom_Crew/Pixabay If we are to build a greener, fairer and more equal society in the wake of COVID-19, it’s time for rich countries …
Plastic, plastic everywhere – airborne microplastics are settling into the most remote corners of the globe: Microplastics, which can originate from the breakdown of plastic products, can be found practically everywhere on our planet. MrsBrown/Pixabay Little pieces of plastic can now be found everywhere: from table salt, drinking water and food, to the deep seas, …
The plastic recycling system is broken – here’s how we can fix it: Global plastic supply chains have been altered by COVID-19. Filmbetrachter/Pixabay The investor Warren Buffett once remarked that “only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked”. For the plastics recycling industry, the pandemic was a bit like the …
Pan-African research networks are needed to manage continent’s plastic pollution threat: Volunteers gather at a beach, to clean up plastic litter at a Lagos beach. PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP via Getty Images Plastic pollution is a prevalent issue across the globe. Countries in Africa are no exception. The state of plastic pollution in parts of Africa …
South Africa in the news: Global Plastic Meal Trays Market 2021 Top Manufacturers Analysis, Demand-Supply Scenario, Opportunities and Challenges, and Revenue Forecast 2027: Global Plastic Meal Trays Market 2021 by Manufacturers Regions Type and Application Forecast to 2027 market an …: “South Africa” – BingNews Cancer risk in adolescents and young adults living with HIV …
South Africa in the news: South Africa’s no-show at global plastic treaty meeting deeply disappointing: As the world moves away from linear to circular economy models (https://bit.ly/3mXVEvh), South Africa still seems to be pinning hopes of its economic revival on a section of the plastic industry …: “South Africa” – BingNews Antisemitism and anti-Israel bias: …
South Africa in the news: Edinburgh Rugby chief explains Mike Blair appointment and what to expect from new coach and plastic pitch: The combination of a new coach and an artificial pitch could have a transformative impact on Edinburgh this season as the club prepares for the inaugural United Rugby Championship.: “South Africa” – BingNews …
Top tips for tackling plastic pollution — from marine scientists: Plastic pollution is one of the defining problems of our century. Darkmoon_Art/Pixabay Do you ever find yourself staring at the supermarket shelf in turmoil, trying to make the most environmentally sustainable choices from an overwhelming array of available products? You’ve brought your reusable shopping bags, …