Environment news round-up

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories Bees are eating nano- and microplastics A new study has shown bees are eating nano- and microplastics and using them to build nests. The plastic damages their digestive and immune systems. It also causes behavioural changes that prevent pollination and lead to ecosystem damage. Official: waste is the dirtiest form

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories California sues ExxonMobil over false claims about recycling ExxonMobil is being taken to court for misleading the public about the effectiveness of recycling. The state of California says the oil giant’s false claims have lead directly to an increase in plastic pollution. Environmental groups praised the lawsuit, saying it

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories US surprises many by backing limits on plastic production In a closed-door briefing, the White House signalled support for capping plastic production. No official announcement has been made, but industry groups have made clear they oppose the change. The shift sparks optimism for a more proactive approach to

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories Over 100 athletes ask Coca-Cola and PepsiCo to champion reuse Over 100 elite athletes have signed an open letter to Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, urging them to use the Paris 2024 Olympics as a launchpad to increase reusable packaging and reduce single-use plastic. They highlighted the impact of

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories The microplastics map: which countries consume the most? People consume microplastics through food and air. Recent studies have shown that the amount varies depending on your location. This microplastics map reveals which countries are consuming the most. US state sues Coca-Cola and PepsiCo for plastic pollution Baltimore

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories Microplastics found in every human testicle tested A new study found microplastics in all human and dog testes tested. This may be linked to declining sperm counts in men.The research is in its early stages, but it adds to evidence of widespread microplastic contamination and potential health risks. More

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories Unilever scales back social and plastic promises In an attempt to cut costs, Unilever weakens its commitments to sustainability, reducing plastic use targets and living wage goals. Critics slam the move while the CEO defends it as a shift in focus, not a retreat from responsibility. Plastics

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories New study finds over 4000 toxic chemicals in plastic. A huge new survey reveals a shocking 16,000 chemicals are used in plastics, with over 4,200 deemed hazardous. Worryingly, only a fraction are regulated, leaving thousands potentially harming our health and the environment. Investors are pressuring big brands

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories New disease caused by plastic pollution found in birds A new disease called ‘Plasticosis’ has been found in birds. Caused by plastic pollution, it seriously impacts their ability to digest food, and exposes them to infection and parasites. Watch the report from ABC news. Women are more

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories ‘Recycled’ shoes tracked to an Indonesian flea market A shocking report from Reuters exposes a “recycling scheme” from Dow Chemicals. It promised that old trainers would be turned into playgrounds and roads, but tracking devices found the waste had been exported to Indonesia instead. Kenya is the

'Recycled' Amazon packaging burns at illegal dumpsite Amazon packaging that environmentally conscious citizens had diligently recycled in North American was found burning at an illegal dumpsite in India. This story was announced shortly after it was revealed that Amazon plastic packaging had increased, despite their promises to do better. Do you trust the recycling process

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories Coca-Cola plastic production up by 8.8% in one year 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

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories Thailand to ban plastic scrap imports New laws will stop the country being an international “dump site for plastic waste” by 2025. Read the full story here Most smokers are unaware of the devastating impacts of cigarette butts This article shows that less than a quarter of

Our roundup of the month’s most important stories Can reducing plastic production ease the energy crisis? Winter is coming – a new report from CIEL and Break Free From Plastic reveals the link between plastic and rising heating bills Or read this article about the findings Refill and reuse schemes are flourishing in the Global

Our roundup of the weeks most important stories Synthetic clothes and tyres account for most ocean microplastics A global survey reveals the surprising sources of microplastics in our oceans. Find out more here Plastic Free July campaign has a lasting impact Water refill stations set up during the month avoid more than 19,000 single-use bottles.

Our roundup of the weeks most important stories H&M being sued for greenwashing 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 Thailand orders imported waste to be

Our roundup of the weeks most important stories Clean sustainable environment a human right – Historic UN ruling 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

Our roundup of the weeks most important stories An island with no plastic? Discover the province in the Philippines where zero waste is becoming a reality. Read the full story here Can bioplastics or plastic fuel help solve the plastic crisis? A new website provides clear, science-based information on popular plastic “solutions”. The website has

Our roundup of the weeks most important stories Deposit return scheme to start in Scotland in 2023 It is hoped recycling rates for plastic bottles will increase to 90% – will other countries follow?Find out more here Life-threatening toxins found in 100% of plastic bottles tested New report says companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi need

Our roundup of the weeks most important stories Teenagers can now gain a qualification in climate change 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 Greenwash.com: new

Our roundup of the week’s most important stories Festivals in Netherlands to stop using single-use cups After successful trials, reusable cups will soon be the new norm for Dutch festival-goers. Find out more about how this system will work and people’s reactions to it here Trash Hero Luzern’s brand audit makes the news Tele 1

Our roundup of the week’s most important stories 1. US Supreme Court removes EPA’s power to limit CO2 emissions Blow to climate action: the US Environmental Protection Agency can no longer force power plants to reduce emissions.The Environmental Protection Agency of the world’s second largest greenhouse gas emitter has been prevented from regulating emissions from

Our roundup of the week’s most important stories Unilever’s empty plastic promises They said single-use sachets were “evil” and vowed to stop producing them. Secretly, they lobbied against laws that would ban them. Find out why in Reuter’s new report. EU agrees to common charger  No more unnecessary e-waste (and tangled cables)! The EU will