Could it possibly be that the scientific community is finally stepping up to reveal the real problems with
plastic waste and, perhaps, helping consumers as well as plastic-haters to see the light? Phys.org has posted
several articles in a series from the University of Michigan: “Mythbusting: Five common misperceptions
surrounding the environmental impacts of single-use plastics.”
The first piece in the series, “Plastics, waste and recycling: It’s not just a packaging problem,” published on
Aug. 25, 2020, pointed to a University of Michigan study showing that “two-thirds of the plastic put into use in
the United States in 2017 was used for other purposes [than packaging], including electronics, furniture and
home furnishings, building construction, automobiles, and various consumer products.”
How changing the way we think about single-use plastics can help people and nature
Every day, we open, use, and dispose of countless pieces of packaging—from the bottles and cans that hold our
drinks to the soap and shampoo bottles we use every morning
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Featured Articles
Environmental Impact of Single-Use Plastics Is Overstated, Say Scientists
Clare Goldsberry | Oct 28, 2020
Single-use plastics a serious climate change hazard, study warns
Sandra Laville | Wed 15 May 2019 06.00 BST
The proliferation of single-use plastic around the world is accelerating climate change and should be urgently
halted, a report warns.
Plastic production is expanding worldwide, fuelled in part by the fracking boom in the US. The report says plastic contributes to greenhouse gas emissions at every stage of its lifecycle, from its production to its refining and the way it is managed as a waste product.
This plastic binge threatens attempts to meet the Paris climate agreement. It means that by 2050 plastic will be responsible for up to 13% of the total “carbon budget” – equivalent to 615 coal-fired power plants – says the research published on Thursday.
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Plastic production is expanding worldwide, fuelled in part by the fracking boom in the US. The report says plastic contributes to greenhouse gas emissions at every stage of its lifecycle, from its production to its refining and the way it is managed as a waste product.
This plastic binge threatens attempts to meet the Paris climate agreement. It means that by 2050 plastic will be responsible for up to 13% of the total “carbon budget” – equivalent to 615 coal-fired power plants – says the research published on Thursday.
Why Single-Use Plastics Are Bad—And What You Can Do About It
Mary Wales | July 18, 2018
Single-use plastics are in the spotlight, as more and more people opt to reduce them. This even includes
businesses like Hyatt Hotels and McDonalds in the U.K. and Ireland—as well as Starbucks, whose plan to go
plastic-straw-free by 2020 will save one billion straws per year.
Places around the world, like the U.K., Taiwan, Seattle, San Francisco, Montreal and Vancouver, are joining the plastic-free movement. That means reducing straws, cotton swabs, microbeads, and/or plastic bags. And for places like Ireland and Hong Kong, the movement is working. Plastic bag levies have lead to high reductions in plastic bags use. It has dropped as much as 90 per cent in Ireland since the introduction of the levy in 2002. Some cities and counties in the U.S. also have their own plastic bag bans and levies in place.
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Places around the world, like the U.K., Taiwan, Seattle, San Francisco, Montreal and Vancouver, are joining the plastic-free movement. That means reducing straws, cotton swabs, microbeads, and/or plastic bags. And for places like Ireland and Hong Kong, the movement is working. Plastic bag levies have lead to high reductions in plastic bags use. It has dropped as much as 90 per cent in Ireland since the introduction of the levy in 2002. Some cities and counties in the U.S. also have their own plastic bag bans and levies in place.
DOF STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR A NATIONWIDE BAN ON SINGLE-USE PLASTICS
Department of Finance
The Department of Finance (DOF), as the Chairperson-designate of the Climate Change Commission (CCC), supports
the movement to ban single-use plastics nationwide as a way to advance sustainable solid waste practices and
curb plastics pollution.
It issued this statement in stressing that the climate emergency should be addressed with the same sense of urgency that the world has been treating the global health and economic crises unleashed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has underscored the need for governments to ensure that waste management systems are well supported to deal with current and future plastics waste, especially with the significant increase in plastics pollution from home deliveries and medical wastes amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
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It issued this statement in stressing that the climate emergency should be addressed with the same sense of urgency that the world has been treating the global health and economic crises unleashed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has underscored the need for governments to ensure that waste management systems are well supported to deal with current and future plastics waste, especially with the significant increase in plastics pollution from home deliveries and medical wastes amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Canada aims to ban single-use plastics by 2021
National Geographic | June 10, 2019
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday that in addition to banning single-use plastics, his government
would take other, unspecified steps to reduce plastic pollution.
Trudeau did not specify the products to be banned, but said likely candidates include plastic bags, straws, cutlery, plates and stir sticks “where supported by scientific evidence and warranted.”
“You’ve all heard the stories and seen the photos,” he said. “To be honest, as a dad it is tough trying to explain this to my kids. How do you explain dead whales washing up on beaches across the world, their stomachs jam packed with plastic bags?
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Trudeau did not specify the products to be banned, but said likely candidates include plastic bags, straws, cutlery, plates and stir sticks “where supported by scientific evidence and warranted.”
“You’ve all heard the stories and seen the photos,” he said. “To be honest, as a dad it is tough trying to explain this to my kids. How do you explain dead whales washing up on beaches across the world, their stomachs jam packed with plastic bags?
San Diego Bans Styrofoam Food and Drink Containers
National Geographic | January 11, 2019
San Diego has joined a growing number of cities to ban containers made of polystyrene, better known as
Styrofoam—the Dow Chemical trademark name for extruded polystyrene. The ban includes food and drink containers,
egg cartons, ice chest coolers, aquatic toys for swimming pools, and mooring buoys and navigation markers. The
ocean-side city is the largest in California to ban polystyrene.
Polystyrene’s popularity as a container stems from its low cost, strength, insulation, and feather-weight buoyancy. Those properties also made it a scourge of plastic waste because it easily breaks into tiny, often airborne particles that are difficult to clean up and is generally rejected by recycling centers as too much trouble to recyclable.
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Polystyrene’s popularity as a container stems from its low cost, strength, insulation, and feather-weight buoyancy. Those properties also made it a scourge of plastic waste because it easily breaks into tiny, often airborne particles that are difficult to clean up and is generally rejected by recycling centers as too much trouble to recyclable.
D.C. Plastic Straw Ban Begins
National Geographic | January 1, 2019
One New Year's resolution, to use less plastic, is no longer optional for restaurants and other service
businesses in Washington, D.C., as of January 1. By July, businesses in the district will begin receiving fines
if they continue to offer plastic straws.
A number of local businesses have already started switching to reusable, washable straws or disposable ones made from paper or hay.
The law follows Seattle's ban earlier in 2018 and aims to reduce the impact of plastic straws as litter. More than 4,000 of the disposed items were found in a recent cleanup of the Anacostia River in D.C. Straws are known to hurt wildlife and are difficult to recycle, often ending up as litter. They make up only a tiny fraction of the total marine plastic pollution problem, leading some critics to say they are a distraction, while others say they are an easy place to start.
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A number of local businesses have already started switching to reusable, washable straws or disposable ones made from paper or hay.
The law follows Seattle's ban earlier in 2018 and aims to reduce the impact of plastic straws as litter. More than 4,000 of the disposed items were found in a recent cleanup of the Anacostia River in D.C. Straws are known to hurt wildlife and are difficult to recycle, often ending up as litter. They make up only a tiny fraction of the total marine plastic pollution problem, leading some critics to say they are a distraction, while others say they are an easy place to start.
"Single-Use" Named Word of the Year
National Geographic | November 7, 2018
Collins Dictionary named "single-use" their word of the year in 2018, citing a four-fold increase in usage since
2013. The term means "made to be used once only" and refers to "items whose unchecked proliferation are blamed
for damaging the environment and affecting the food chain," according to a press release from the dictionary's
publisher.
Single-use is most often associated with the plastic pollution crisis. Some 40 percent of all plastic produced is used for packaging, much of it used only once and thrown away.
Many efforts to curb the plastic litter crisis are taking aim at single-use plastics, with the goal of encouraging more durable, reusable items.
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Single-use is most often associated with the plastic pollution crisis. Some 40 percent of all plastic produced is used for packaging, much of it used only once and thrown away.
Many efforts to curb the plastic litter crisis are taking aim at single-use plastics, with the goal of encouraging more durable, reusable items.
Aquariums band together for “No Straw November”
National Geographic | November 1, 2018
November is the month of not shaving facial hair, and now thanks to a new conservation campaign, the month of
not using straws.
Branded as “No Straw November,” the campaign is a push to eliminate single-use plastic. The effort is led by the Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP), comprising 22 aquariums in 17 different states. They're pushing 500 businesses to commit to only serving plastic straws upon request. Already, the ACP has worked with large businesses like United Airlines, the Chicago White Sox, and Dignity Health hospitals.
They hope to commit the additional 500 by Earth Day, April 20, 2019.
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Branded as “No Straw November,” the campaign is a push to eliminate single-use plastic. The effort is led by the Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP), comprising 22 aquariums in 17 different states. They're pushing 500 businesses to commit to only serving plastic straws upon request. Already, the ACP has worked with large businesses like United Airlines, the Chicago White Sox, and Dignity Health hospitals.
They hope to commit the additional 500 by Earth Day, April 20, 2019.
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250 groups launch massive global plastic partnership
National Geographic | October 29, 2018
Two hundred and fifty organizations responsible for 20 percent of the plastic packaging produced around the
world have committed to reducing waste and pollution.
The initiative is called the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, and it includes a diverse group of members including the city of Austin, clothing company H&M, Unilever, PespsiCo, L'Oreal, Nestle, and Coca-Cola.
The Global Commitment touts a number of high-profile partnerships. It's a collaboration with the United Nations and is being led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Other partners include the World Wide Fund for Nature, the World Economic Forum, the Consumer Goods Forum, and 40 academic institutions.
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The initiative is called the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, and it includes a diverse group of members including the city of Austin, clothing company H&M, Unilever, PespsiCo, L'Oreal, Nestle, and Coca-Cola.
The Global Commitment touts a number of high-profile partnerships. It's a collaboration with the United Nations and is being led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Other partners include the World Wide Fund for Nature, the World Economic Forum, the Consumer Goods Forum, and 40 academic institutions.
EU Parliament approves single-use plastic ban
National Geographic | October 26, 2018
The European Parliament voted 571-53 this week to approve a measure to slash single-use plastic across the
continent. The bill still needs to pass additional procedural measures before it can go into effect, but
observers say its chances look good and could begin enforcement as early as 2021.
Citing a need to protect the ocean from a deluge of plastic pollution, the bill calls for a European ban on plastic cutlery and plates, cotton buds, straws, drink-stirrers, and balloon sticks, as well as reductions in other types of single-use plastics like food and beverage containers.
The bill was first proposed in May (see below). Great Britain has a similar effort underway (also see below).
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Citing a need to protect the ocean from a deluge of plastic pollution, the bill calls for a European ban on plastic cutlery and plates, cotton buds, straws, drink-stirrers, and balloon sticks, as well as reductions in other types of single-use plastics like food and beverage containers.
The bill was first proposed in May (see below). Great Britain has a similar effort underway (also see below).
Consumer companies invest in waste collection
National Geographic | October 25, 2018
To keep plastic pollution from entering waterways, manufacturers either have to stop making it or make sure it's
collected at the end of its life. But in some developing nations, that waste collection infrastructure is
insufficient or nonexistent.
Circulate Capital, a New York City-based investment firm started in 2018, says they have raised $90 million to invest in this issue in Southeast Asia, a move endorsed by conservation group the Ocean Conservancy. CEO of Circulate Capital Rob Kaplan says this investment will go toward improving plastic waste collection on the ground and creating markets for collected material.
PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Procter and Gamble, Danone, Unilever, and Dow are committed to funding the $90 million investment, and Circulate Capital says a deal will be inked by early 2019. The firm says they are also working on ways for medium and small companies to invest.
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Circulate Capital, a New York City-based investment firm started in 2018, says they have raised $90 million to invest in this issue in Southeast Asia, a move endorsed by conservation group the Ocean Conservancy. CEO of Circulate Capital Rob Kaplan says this investment will go toward improving plastic waste collection on the ground and creating markets for collected material.
PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Procter and Gamble, Danone, Unilever, and Dow are committed to funding the $90 million investment, and Circulate Capital says a deal will be inked by early 2019. The firm says they are also working on ways for medium and small companies to invest.
Redirecting plastic streams away from the sea
National Geographic | October 22, 2018
Major companies have been taking steps to eliminate the amount of plastic waste they produce, but what about
plastic already in rivers or on beaches that could easily enter the ocean?
That's where NextWave, a coalition founded by companies including Dell and an environmental group called the Lonely Whale, comes in. By employing people living in coastal regions, the group collects discarded plastic within 30 miles of waterways to prevent it from making its way to the sea. So far, NextWave has focused on two types of plastic commonly found in marine environments: Nylon 6 and polypropylene.
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That's where NextWave, a coalition founded by companies including Dell and an environmental group called the Lonely Whale, comes in. By employing people living in coastal regions, the group collects discarded plastic within 30 miles of waterways to prevent it from making its way to the sea. So far, NextWave has focused on two types of plastic commonly found in marine environments: Nylon 6 and polypropylene.
American Airlines cuts plastic from lounges
National Geographic | October 19, 2018
After announcing this summer that they would ban plastic straws and stirrers on their flights (see below),
American Airlines now says they will phase out single-use plastic in their lounges.
The airline has lounges in the U.S. and around the world. A representative from the company says the lounges won't serve drinks with straws, and plastic won't be used for flatware. Plastic water bottles will no longer be served, and reusable bags will be given to customers taking food to-go.
Changes to the airlines' lounges are currently going into effect, and onboard straws will be eliminated by November 1. Straws will be available for those who request one, and drink stirrers will be replaced by bamboo sticks.
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The airline has lounges in the U.S. and around the world. A representative from the company says the lounges won't serve drinks with straws, and plastic won't be used for flatware. Plastic water bottles will no longer be served, and reusable bags will be given to customers taking food to-go.
Changes to the airlines' lounges are currently going into effect, and onboard straws will be eliminated by November 1. Straws will be available for those who request one, and drink stirrers will be replaced by bamboo sticks.
Foodservice companies phase out single-use plastic
National Geographic | October 18, 2018
Some 13,000 schools, workplaces, and venues will be plastic bag and stirrer free by 2019, thanks to a new
sustainability push by foodservice company Sodexo.
The company provides cafeteria-style meals and concessions to many such clients. Among them is National Geographic's Washington, D.C. headquarters, where compostable utensils and plant-based menus are offered.
Sodexo follows in the footsteps of other foodservice giants, Aramark and Bon Appétit Management, which announced similar sustainability measures this past summer (see below).
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The company provides cafeteria-style meals and concessions to many such clients. Among them is National Geographic's Washington, D.C. headquarters, where compostable utensils and plant-based menus are offered.
Sodexo follows in the footsteps of other foodservice giants, Aramark and Bon Appétit Management, which announced similar sustainability measures this past summer (see below).
Climate body: Ban on single-use plastics needed to achieve “1.5 °C world,” reduce carbon footprint
Climate Change Commission | March 02, 2021 Tuesday
MANILA, 2 March 2021 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) emphasized the need for a single-use plastics ban if
the world is to remain within the 1.5° Celsius limit and prevent the worst of climate change impacts as a
Technical Working Group of the House of Representatives Committee on Ecology chaired by Rep. Francisco "Kiko"
Benitez moves to consolidate and finalize bills seeking to phase-out or regulate single-use plastics.
The CCC, led by its Chairperson-designate Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez, has said that it is aligned with the aims of the bill “to advance realistic solutions to address the challenge of single-use plastics pollution and provide a clear pathway for the pursuit of sustainable consumption and production.”
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The CCC, led by its Chairperson-designate Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez, has said that it is aligned with the aims of the bill “to advance realistic solutions to address the challenge of single-use plastics pollution and provide a clear pathway for the pursuit of sustainable consumption and production.”
Microplastics in drinking-water
World Health Organization | 2019
Studies reporting the presence of microplastics in treated tap and bottled water have raised questions and
concerns about the impact that microplastics in drinking-water might have on human health.
This report critically examines the evidence related to the occurrence of microplastics in the water cycle (including both tap and bottled drinking-water and its sources), the potential health impacts from microplastic exposure and the removal of microplastics during wastewater and drinking-water treatment.
Recommendations are made with respect to monitoring and management of microplastics and plastics in the environment, and to better assess human health risks and inform appropriate management actions, a number of key knowledge gaps are identified.
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This report critically examines the evidence related to the occurrence of microplastics in the water cycle (including both tap and bottled drinking-water and its sources), the potential health impacts from microplastic exposure and the removal of microplastics during wastewater and drinking-water treatment.
Recommendations are made with respect to monitoring and management of microplastics and plastics in the environment, and to better assess human health risks and inform appropriate management actions, a number of key knowledge gaps are identified.
WHO calls for more research into microplastics and a crackdown on plastic pollution
World Health Organization | 22 August 2019
The World Health Organization (WHO) today calls for a further assessment of microplastics in the environment and
their potential impacts on human health, following the release of an analysis of current research related to
microplastics in drinking-water. The Organization also calls for a reduction in plastic pollution to benefit the
environment and reduce human exposure.
“We urgently need to know more about the health impact of microplastics because they are everywhere - including in our drinking-water,” says Dr Maria Neira, Director, Department of Public Health, Environment and Social Determinants of Health, at WHO. “Based on the limited information we have, microplastics in drinking water don’t appear to pose a health risk at current levels. But we need to find out more. We also need to stop the rise in plastic pollution worldwide.”
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“We urgently need to know more about the health impact of microplastics because they are everywhere - including in our drinking-water,” says Dr Maria Neira, Director, Department of Public Health, Environment and Social Determinants of Health, at WHO. “Based on the limited information we have, microplastics in drinking water don’t appear to pose a health risk at current levels. But we need to find out more. We also need to stop the rise in plastic pollution worldwide.”
World Environment Day 2018: a call to “Beat plastic pollution”
World Health Organization
4 June 2018 – On 5 June every year, the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations sister agencies and
thousands of communities and organizations celebrate World Environment Day. This year, the theme of the Day is
“Beat plastic pollution” – a call for action for the world to work together to address one of the great
environmental challenges of our time and raise global awareness of the need to reduce the heavy burden of
plastic pollution on people’s health and the threat it poses to the environment and wildlife.
While the world has derived great benefit from the use of plastics, which have transformed people’s everyday lives, the negative ecological effects and adverse impact on health from their misuse and overuse cannot be overlooked. Plastic remains in the environment for a long time, it cannot biodegrade, only break down into smaller and smaller pieces.
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While the world has derived great benefit from the use of plastics, which have transformed people’s everyday lives, the negative ecological effects and adverse impact on health from their misuse and overuse cannot be overlooked. Plastic remains in the environment for a long time, it cannot biodegrade, only break down into smaller and smaller pieces.