plastic pollution Archives - State of the Planet

How Do We Clean Up All That Ocean Plastic?

A number of organizations are attempting to clean up the water, but solving the problem of ocean plastic pollution will also require big changes on land.

by |October 13, 2022
biodegradable container on grass

You Asked: Should I Buy Biodegradable Materials If My Trash Just Goes to a Landfill?

Our expert says: It’s better than adding another piece of plastic to the problem.

by Emily Halnon |August 2, 2022
small bits of plastic on a black background

Now’s the Time For Lawmakers to Care About Microplastics

Regulating these tiny, ubiquitous bits of plastic will not only address a public health threat, but also our dependence on fossil fuels.

by Madeleine MacGillivray |December 23, 2021
disposable glove in grass

Waste in the World of COVID-19

Single-use plastics are having a revival. Some of the changes have been brought on not by necessity, but by the powerful plastics lobby taking advantage of a time of crisis.

by Kelly Rose Nunziata |June 24, 2020

Plastic, Paper or Cotton: Which Shopping Bag is Best?

Which bag should an environmentally responsible, health-conscious shopper use during this time of coronavirus?

by |April 30, 2020
Plastic trash floating in a river

More Plastic Is On the Way: What It Means for Climate Change

Fossil fuel companies are ramping up production of virgin plastics, with huge potential consequences for climate and the environment.

by |February 20, 2020
Bamboo toothbrush and packaging

Lies of the Bamboo Toothbrush: The Plastic Industry’s Perverse Greenwashing

How ploys like bioplastic and anti-litterbug campaigns help to protect the true culprits of plastic pollution.

by |November 11, 2019
microbeads in laundry detergent

Washing Laundry May Be An Underappreciated Source of Microplastic Pollution

A student research project unveils that tiny plastics in laundry detergents and fabrics could potentially have a big impact on ocean health.

by |August 22, 2019
landfill with tractor on top

The Aftermath of China’s Waste Ban

The initial ban created a worldwide headache for scrap managers. The new version of the ban will surely lead to migraines.

by |March 11, 2019
walmart checkout line Guilford banning plastic bags

Banning Plastic Bags, Town by Town: a Guide

If you’re already doing your part to reduce, reuse and recycle, what more can you do? Start by thinking bigger, but not too big — one community at a time.

by |February 20, 2019