29 February: the month’s most important stories

by Lydia on 29/02/2024 No comments

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories

Plastic producers lied about effectiveness of recycling

A report from the Centre of Climate Integrity has revealed that despite knowing, from as early as the 1980s, that recycling was not a good solution, plastic companies promoted it anyway. The evidence in the report has led experts to suggest that legal action could be taken against the industry.

Coca-Cola, Nestle and Unilever named top corporate polluters

Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) has released it’s annual Brand Audit report detailing the top corporate polluters for the last six years. Once again, Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Unilever were named in the top 5. Greenpeace protested at Unilever’s London headquarters to mark the company issuing its results at the same time as the BFFP report.

Microplastics found in every human placenta tested

A shocking report revealed that scientists found microplastics in every human placenta tested, raising serious concerns about health risks for babies and mothers. Researchers found many plastic types, with polyethylene (used in bags and bottles) being the most common.

One in 10 premature births linked to chemicals in plastics

Research has found that one in 10 premature births in the US may be linked to chemicals in plastics. These chemicals, called phthalates, are found in many everyday products and can disrupt hormones, potentially leading to early deliveries. Researchers estimate this could cost billions in healthcare and pose a significant health risk to babies.

Are trendy reusables creating an overconsumption problem?

Stainless steel water bottles are all the rage, but are people buying too many? This thought-provoking article explores the debate on whether reusable bottles have become a status symbol, encouraging unnecessary consumption. Any step towards ditching single-use plastic is positive, but when it is a step too far?

What do you think about these stories? Is there one we missed? Let us know in the comments!

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Lydia29 February: the month’s most important stories

25 January: the month’s most important stories

by Lydia on 24/01/2024 No comments

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories

Plastic-related health issues cost $250billion every year

Think plastic comes with just an environmental price tag? Think again. The Hill has reported that a staggering $250 billion is spent every year in the US alone on health issues linked to chemicals in plastic.

All your food now contains plastic!

This must-read report gives a clear and simple overview of all the different ways plastics end up in our food – from when it starts to grow to serving it up for dinner. It also examines what could be done to stop this happening. 

Think your bottled water is pure? Think again

New research has revealed that the levels of plastic particles in bottled water are up to 100 times higher than previously believed.  But that’s not the only reason to avoid it: these are the 12 worst bottled water brands when it comes to false advertising and ethical issues.

Pellets spill causes EU to rethink plastic pollution laws

After 26 tons of tiny plastic pellets were lost at sea last month, blanketing Spanish beaches, the EU is under pressure to take a hard look at how it regulates plastic transport – and who is responsible for leakages.

Thailand pushes back against flood of plastic waste imports

PBS News visited Thailand, to see how it’s coping with the influx of waste from the Global North. In this short video, we hear from a range of voices on the ground – including the former Environment Minister, who insists that Thailand cannot and should not be a dumping ground for wealthy countries.

Trash Hero Kota Kinabalu tackles waste with local community

The big beach and underwater cleanup recently organised by Trash Hero Kota Kinabalu was so impressive, it was featured in several Malay newspapers, who highlighted the community’s efforts and their 480kg haul of trash.

What do you think about these stories? Is there one we missed? Let us know in the comments!

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Lydia25 January: the month’s most important stories

30 November: monthly news roundup

by Lydia on 30/11/2023 No comments

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories

New York state sues PepsiCo for plastic pollution

New York State is suing the multinational drinks company for plastic pollution. Brand Audits are being used as evidence in the case as the New York attorney general demands they reduce plastic packaging and pay for damages to health and the environment.

EU agrees to ban waste exports to Global South

The EU is assuming responsibility for its plastic waste. Once formally approved, new rules will stop all exports to non-OECD countries for five years and limit them elsewhere.

Plastics treaty must not go the way of the climate convention

Trash Hero reports from the latest Global Plastics Treaty talks in Nairobi. Despite a frustrating end to the event, our latest blogpost explains how there is still hope for progress.

Plastic credits are a “get out of jail free” card

A new report explains how the unregulated system of plastic offsetting allows industries to keep polluting.

In India, reuse systems will cut plastic, create jobs and income.

A new study on 80,000 street vendors in Kolkata, India, proves a strong business case for system change. It finds that reuse systems will cut plastic and create jobs and income.

Stop buying plastic advent calendars!

The Christmas countdown, embraced by people around the world, creates a staggering amount of unnecessary plastic waste every year. To reduce plastic waste in the festive season, read our 5 tips here.

What do you think about these stories? Let us know in the comments!

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Lydia30 November: monthly news roundup

26 October: monthly news roundup

by Lydia on 26/10/2023 No comments

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories

Myanmar communities drowning in world’s waste

Trash from Lidl supermarkets in the UK and other stores in Poland and Canada has been discovered at illegal dumping sites in Myanmar. Residents of the vulnerable communities are concerned about their health

Cleanup technologies do more harm than good

New research shows that complicated cleanup technologies cause more harm than good. They can damage marine life and impact the livelihoods of local communities.

K-Pop marketing create huge plastic waste problem

Fans of K-Pop are told to buy lots of albums to help their favourite bands get to the top of the charts. But this has caused a big increase in plastic waste. “No K-Pop on a Dead Planet” wants businesses to do things differently.

Microplastics “clogging the systems” of ocean carbon capture

Tiny sea creatures called plankton are important for getting rid of carbon in the atmosphere. However, microplastics are “clogging the systems”, which is bad news for ocean life and the climate.

Trash Hero Jakarta’s cleanup featured on AFP News

Trash Hero Jakarta’s cleanup was featured on AFP news! Volunteers shared their motivations for reducing plastic pollution.

What do you think about these stories? Let us know in the comments!

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Lydia26 October: monthly news roundup

28 September: Monthly news round up

by Lydia on 28/09/2023 No comments

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories

It’s scientifically proven: cleanups make a real impact!

We’ve always known it, but it’s now been scientifically proven – beach cleanups matter! New research shows that cleanups “rapidly and drastically” reduce the amount of plastic particles that end up in the environment.

Recycling plastic not enough, warns UN Environment chief

The UN Environment Chief, Ingrid Anderson, says we need to rethink how we produce and use plastic completely. Recycling is not enough.

Stop microwaving plastic right now!

Want to reduce the amount of microplastics you’re consuming? Then stop microwaving your food in plastic! A recent report shows that even “microwave safe” plastic releases billions of nanoplastics.

China finds that incineration conflicts with zero waste goals

As part of their plan to implement more zero waste policies, China has been sorting waste for the last four years. This has caused some of their incineration plants to stop working due to a shortage of fuel

The world is tackling plastic pollution. Where is fashion?

Negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty are moving ahead quickly but the clothes industry is strangely silent

 

What do you think about these stories? Let us know in the comments!

 

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Lydia28 September: Monthly news round up

31 August: Monthly news round up

by Lydia on 31/08/2023 No comments

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories

Plastic levels in Lake Geneva was high as world’s oceans

Oceaneye, a Geneva-based non-profit, has released research revealing that the famously pristine Swiss Lake contains alarming levels of plastic pollution.

Microplastics found in the human heart

Samples taken during patients’ cardiac surgery confirm that plastic is truly everywhere.

Indonesia cracks down on waste imports

When China closed their borders to waste, exporters had to send it elsewhere. After years of being sent non-recyclable trash, officials in Indonesia are taking a stand against the tidal wave of plastic.

McDonald’s study favouring single-use was “biased”

The fast food giant, and others, funded studies that discredited reuse and favoured single-use. A new report reveals such studies lack transparency and showed significant bias.

US movie production generates under 500g of waste over 3 years

The average Hollywood production produces over 500 tonnes of trash, so what did these filmmakers do differently?

 

What do you think about these stories? Let us know in the comments!

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Lydia31 August: Monthly news round up

27 July: Monthly news round up

by Lydia on 27/07/2023 No comments

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories

French government to pay for repairs to clothes and shoes

The French government are encouraging people to have their clothes and shoes repaired instead of throwing them away. People can reclaim up to €25 when they use certain workshops to fix the items, rather than throw them away.

New CEO of Unilever urged: phase out plastic sachets now!

In an open letter to the new CEO of Unilever, 117 organisations (including Trash Hero) from 44 countries have asked them to phase out plastic sachets now and undo decades of harm

Plastic roads are not easy street

Think plastic-to-roads is a good idea? A new report reveals how schemes fail to address the problem of reducing emissions and come with their own health and environmental risks.

Artificial grass is pollution our oceans

Vast amounts of plastic from artificial grass is entering the ocean! A study done off the coast of Barcelona found that fibres from the material made up 15% of the plastics found in samples.

LAX airport bans the sale of single-use plastic water bottles

LAX airport is leading by example! They have banned the sale of single-use plastic bottles and are encouraging travellers to bring reusable bottles to refill.

 

What do you think about these stories? Let us know in the comments!

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Lydia27 July: Monthly news round up

29 June: Monthly news round up

by Lydia on 29/06/2023 No comments

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories

Bali community tell Danone: stop poisoning us

In Bali, members of the Angga Swara neighbourhood in Jimbaran, wrote a letter to Danome asking ‘stop poisoning us’. A plastic plant in the area, used to greenwash the company’s image, breaches regulations and emits toxic smoke. Articles are also available in Indonesian language.

Trash Hero attends UN Global Plastic Treaty talks in Paris

Find out why we were there, the key outcomes and what happens next in our blog post.

2024 Olympics in Paris to ban single-use bottles and cups

The Paris Olympics 2024 announced they will ban single-use plastic bottles and cups at the event. They are the first large sporting event to make such a commitment, and how the details of how they do it will be key to its success.

Malaysia aims for zero use of plastic shopping bags by 2025

The ban could prevent the use of an estimated 9 billion bags per year, but for this to happen, the government needs to take important steps, such as public education. Check out our blog if you’re curious about how to make a plastic ban effective.

Trash Hero Pattaya featured on China’s state news, Xinhua

The media outlet is helping us spread our message in China and beyond – anyone can be a Trash Hero!

 

What do you think about these stories? Let us know in the comments!

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Lydia29 June: Monthly news round up

25 May: Monthly news round up

by Lydia on 05/06/2023 No comments

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories

McDonalds lobbies against refill and reuse

McDonalds produces 1 billion kg of packaging per year, equivalent to the weight of 100 Eiffel towers! Proposed EU regulations would force them to transition to refill and reuse systems. This article from the EU observer reveals how they have been leading campaigns against the legislation.

Investors in major FMCGs want the companies to reduce their plastic waste

A Dutch coalition, responsible for $10tn of assets, is calling for FMCGs such as Amazon, McDonalds and Unilever to reduce their single-use plastic in response to concerns about the environment and our health.

Shell’s new plastic plant facing a federal lawsuit

A lawsuit has been filed against Shell, whose new plastic plant has allegedly been repeatedly releasing dangerous levels of airborne emissions, harming the health of local residents.

Local communities are powerful players in the war on plastic

In an article in the South China Morning Post, Trash Hero Programme Director Seema Prabhu discusses how cleanups cannot solve plastic pollution, but are an important tool for educating local communities and holding corporate polluters accountable through collected data.

Scientists and NGOs to be “excluded” at Plastics Treaty talks

The UN has been accused of limiting access to the negotiations of the Global Plastics Treaty in Paris, in a last minute change that will allow only 1 out of 5 delegates to take part at any time. This means many voices from independent science and developing countries will not be heard by lawmakers.

What do you think about these stories? Let us know in the comments!

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Lydia25 May: Monthly news round up

27 April: Monthly news round up

by Lydia on 27/04/2023 No comments

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories

Plastic food packaging found in brain 2 hours after ingestion

A concerning new study on mice shows that tiny particles of polystyrene – a material frequently used to package takeaway food worldwide – were found in their brain just hours after consuming it.

The Pacific Garbage Patch is creating a new ecosystem

Scientists have found 37 new species living in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is now like a new ecosystem. These species may become invasive, and the plastic they’re living on is getting into the food we eat.

Massive fire at recycling plant leaves lingering toxic smoke

Lingering smoke from the toxic fire at a plastic recycling plant in Indiana is causing health concerns for those who live close by, even after the fire has been put out. This video discuss the health concerns the residents are left with.

Exxon’s new recycling plant puts drinking water at risk

Experts have warned that Exxon’s newest chemical recycling plant could pollute a drinking water source while enabling oil companies to continue producing plastic pollution

Get your petroleum off my body!

Did you realise that oil is involved in nearly every stage of manufacturing clothes? This article reveals how petroleum is a huge part of the fashion industry – from the materials to the dye.

The school where you can pay your fees in plastic bottles

Meet the Nigerians who are helping to increase access to education while tackling the issue of local plastic waste

What do you think about these stories? Let us know in the comments!

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Lydia27 April: Monthly news round up