Our round-up of the month’s most important stories.
Dealy flood in Bali made worse by plastic waste
Extreme weather, combined with unchecked development and tonnes of plastic blocking drainage routes, led to the disaster that claimed at least 18 lives.
European plastic recycling “faces imminent collapse”
Industry body says cheap virgin and recycled plastics, imports, bureaucracy and rising energy costs have caused plant closures equivalent to one million tonnes of capacity since 2023.
Blue sharks transport plastic across oceans
The sharks’ eating habits mean they unwittingly carry and excrete toxic microplastics thousands of miles away from where they were ingested, complicating the task of tracking marine pollution.
Humans inhale 68,000 microplastics daily
New research finds tiny particles – smaller than those previously studied – linger in the air and bury themselves deep in our lungs, with air indoors and in cars being the most dangerous to breathe.
Fenceline communities pay the price for convenience
Across the world, people living near plastic and petrochemical refineries are suffering unimaginable damage to their health: this deep dive tells their stories.
Latin American: life without single-use was always possible
Traditional and affordable reuse practices in the region can show us the way to a socially inclusive, locally-focused and scalable alternatives to disposable culture.
What do you think about these stories? Is there one we missed? Let us know in the comments!
Every month we round up the top stories from the world of plastic pollution – and the work being done to stop it. From aquatic pollution to zero waste, you’ll always be up to date with the latest research, trends and greenwashing tactics.
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