Coca-Cola claims to be addressing their plastic problem, but last year they produced an extra 236,000 tons of single-use packaging! Is this to be expected? Or are they taking greenwashing to the next level? Read the full story here

Discussions about the global plastics treaty have begun at a UN summit in Uruguay. However, researchers warn that a lack of data will make implementing any regulations difficult. Do you think the treaty will work?

A new study has found that plastics advertised as “home compostable” don’t in fact break down! They leave plastic scraps which pollute soil and could end up in the food chain. Have you tried to put any of these in your compost bin?

Blue whales – the largest animal on the planet – consume over 10 million pieces of plastic daily. They are filter feeders, and dense plastic pollution in the water column means their intake is massive. How can we protect these beautiful creatures?

At current levels of production, the plastics industry will account for 20% of oil and gas use by 2050, making it impossible to keep global warming below the 1.5C target. Reducing the production of plastic is one of the only ways we can limit climate change. How can this be made a priority?

New laws will stop the country being an international “dump site for plastic waste” by 2025. Read the full story here

This article shows that less than a quarter of smokers realise filters are made from plastic, 1 in 3 believe they are cotton wool

A new report from Greenpeace reveals that recycling levels are dropping each year. You can also read the article about it here

The world’s largest packaged goods company says governments should bear more of the cleanup costs. Read the full story here or here.

Zero waste strategies are the easiest way to rapidly and cheaply bring down emissions, finds new report from GAIA. The report is explored here.

Valuable resources in e-waste could be reused in new electronics, to help the move to low-carbon societies, read the full story here.

Our Basel chapter shares their experience on a Swiss sustainability blog

The claim states that their ‘Conscious Collection’ marketing is “misleading” and “falsified”. It has even been claimed that parts of the collection are more damaging to the environment than the regular products. Find out more here

130 ton container declared as “paper” discovered to contain 20-30% general municipal waste – which under current law is not allowed to be shipped into Thailand. Read the full story here

An investigation into companies’ “plastic promises” shows how Danone and others fail to deliver. Find out more about what these companies have done and how it compares to their promises here

A free, step-by-step handbook to help food & drink establishments be part of the solution on plastic waste. Find it here and don’t forget to share it with any restaurant owners you know!

Sustainable travel writers join a beach cleanup on the Thai island. Read their story here

Now governments have an obligation to fulfil this, how will they do it and how will it impact the plastics industry?

A clean, healthy and sustainable environment is vital for our survival, the ruling should help catalyze a change towards more sustainable production and consumption.

Read more about what this means here

From now on, just search for ‘water tap’ on Google Maps to find every public water tap in the Netherlands. Find more information here

Roman Peter discusses making the Trash Hero vision a reality with ‘The Good initiative’. Read it here

Discover the province in the Philippines where zero waste is becoming a reality. Read the full story here

A new website provides clear, science-based information on popular plastic “solutions”. The website has been created by Break Free From Plastic
‘This brand new website offers information and analysis of a range of ‘plastic solutions’, aiming to undermine the industry greenwashing and misinformation. Each solution analysis is fully referenced and has been reviewed by an expert panel of scientists.’

Retailers must stop selling plastic straws, cups, cutlery and foam boxes from October this year. Find out more about it here

It is hoped recycling rates for plastic bottles will increase to 90% – will other countries follow?
Find out more here

New report says companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi need to provide toxic-free packaging. Find the report here

Waste expert says separation of organics is key to avoiding overflowing landfills and methane emissions. Read it here

As waste-free weddings become more mainstream, is now the time to start planning your zero waste event? See a zero-waste events guide here.

The new Northern Irish syllabus will cover single-use plastic and fast fashion, but how should they be taught? Will the responsibility for change be placed on the right people?
Find out more about the qualification here

From plastics and packaging to fast fashion, this new website helps you stay informed about industry greenwashing.

Wet wipes form an island the size of two tennis courts in the Thames, changing the course of the river. Find out more about this here

The Dutch study found plastic in 75% of supermarket meat and milk and in the blood of farmed pigs & cows.

The study was conducted by the Plastic Soup Foundation. Read their full report here