plastics

We’re Drowning in Seas of Plastic

We’re Drowning in Seas of Plastic

The fossil fuel era must end, or it will spell humanity’s end. The threat isn’t just from pollution and accelerating climate change. Rapid, wasteful exploitation of these valuable resources has also led to a world choked in plastic. Almost all plastics are made from fossil fuels, often by the same companies that produce oil and […]

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    One Mom’s Campaign to Save the Swimmers

    One Mom’s Campaign to Save the Swimmers

    By Stacy Malkan “I want grandkids one day, so sperm is important to me because I’ve got three young boys,” said mom, author and social media genius Leah Segedie in a video introducing her “Save the Swimmers” campaign. “This is where my youngest rolls his eyes at me and says, ‘I know Mom. Avoiding plastics […]

    Ocean Plastic Projected to Triple Within Seven Years

    Ocean Plastic Projected to Triple Within Seven Years

    If we don’t act now, plastic pollution in the world’s oceans is projected to increase three-fold within seven years, according to a startling new report. The Future of the Sea report, released Wednesday for the UK government, found that human beings across the globe produce more than 300 million metric tons of plastic per year. […]

    Those Little Produce Stickers? They’re a Big Waste Problem

    Those Little Produce Stickers? They’re a Big Waste Problem

    By Dan Nosowitz Those little produce stickers are ubiquitous fruits and vegetables everywhere. But, as CBC notes, they’re actually a significant problem despite their small size. Produce stickers carry price look-up (PLU) codes. PLU codes are decided on by the International Federation for Produce Standards, and are consistent throughout the world. That’s right: The code […]

    Study: 93% of Bottled Water Contains Microplastics

    Study: 93% of Bottled Water Contains Microplastics

    You now have another good reason to avoid bottled water. An investigation on brands from around the world determined that the water is often contaminated with tiny pieces of plastic. The new study, conducted by journalism organization Orb Media and researchers at the State University of New York at Fredonia, has already prompted the World […]

    Adidas Sold a Million Shoes Made of Ocean Plastic

    Adidas Sold a Million Shoes Made of Ocean Plastic

    Adidas sold a million pairs of shoes made from ocean plastic last year, according to CEO Kasper Rorsted. In 2015, the German sportswear giant partnered with Parley for the Oceans, an environmental initiative addressing major threats to the world’s oceans, to develop products made from recycled marine plastic. After much anticipation, they introduced three versions […]

    Bottled Water, Brought to You by Fracking?

    Bottled Water, Brought to You by Fracking?

    By Wenonah Hauter The new Food & Water Watch report Take Back the Tap: The Big Business Hustle of Bottled Water details the deceit and trickery of the bottled water industry. Here’s one more angle to consider: The bottled water business is closely tied to fracking. The report reveals that the majority of bottled water […]

    First-of-its-Kind Study Points to Higher Levels of Ocean Microplastics

    First-of-its-Kind Study Points to Higher Levels of Ocean Microplastics

    Scientists and environmentalists have raised the alarm about microplastics polluting our oceans. Now, researchers at the University of Manchester have revealed more details of how they might get there. The first ever catchment-wide microplastic study, published March 12 in Nature Geoscience, assessed microplastic contamination in the sediments of river beds along 40 sites in northwest […]

    5 Items That Reincarnate Plastic Bottles Into Outdoor Gear

    5 Items That Reincarnate Plastic Bottles Into Outdoor Gear

    By Jill K. Robinson What’s the most environmentally friendly approach to gear and clothing? Hang on to what you have and repair your goods. When it’s replacement time, choose items upcycled from plastic to help keep bottles, fabric and other detritus out of landfills and waterways. Here are four items that source responsibly reincarnated plastic. […]