UK changes its waste strategy for circular economy with Brexit
Maximise the value of resource use, and minimise adverse environmental impacts, aims new waste strategy of UK
Over 25,000 tonnes of COVID-19 plastic waste entered oceans in a year
Significant portion of this ocean plastic debris is expected to make its way onto beaches or seabed within 3-4 years, flags study
Tanzania bans plastic bags
All plastic carry bags are prohibited from being imported, exported, manufactured, sold, stored, supplied and used in the African country
New global alliance commits over $1 billion to help end plastic waste
Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW), comprising about 30 companies, aims to invest $1.5 billion over the next five years in fight against …
No action plan by MoEF&CC to handle plastic waste, finds CAG
Coordination lacking with pollution control boards; Implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules lacks teeth
Concerted actions vital to accelerate shift towards ‘plastic-free’ living
Crux of this problem lies in a lack of public awareness regarding the detrimental impact of plastic waste and a corresponding deficiency in …
India among the 12 countries responsible for 52% of the world’s mismanaged plastic waste: Report
Plastics not designed for circular use must be phased out, report notes
Rwanda launches plan for next 14 years with focus on circular economy
The plan needs $211.2 million to manage waste and adopt clean production technologies
Life of Plastic: Indian producers, brands contribute majorly to polymer pollution says CSE; here is how
Producers manufacture large amounts of plastic which can’t be recycled, while brands do not recycle enough
Why new rule allowing recycled plastic in food packaging raises concerns
As recently as in 2018, the FSSAI had banned the use of recycled plastic or newspaper for packaging of food items
Mangrove fungi that munches on polythene
Isolated from India’s West Coast, the fungi can potentially help degrade polythene
Maharashtra's ambitious plastic ban continues to confuse
Rushed up notifications, illegal raids, and lack of alternatives have marred Maharashtra's plastic ban
With China banning import of plastic waste, who will bear the burden of recycling world's toxic scrap?
Experts say that Southeast Asia could become the world’s new plastic waste recycle hub
Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestlé worst plastic polluters in global cleanups, brand audits
Coca-Cola was the top polluter with Coke-branded plastic pollution found in 40 of the 42 countries assessed in a global audit conducted by …
Microplastic in Atlantic: Great garbage patch
Microplastics are all so pervasive that our bodies have turned into a great garbage patch
Microplastic pollution load on seashore linked with population size of coastal cities
New study conducted across three coastal cities of Mumbai, Thoothukudi and Dhanushkodi
Garbage dumps leading to shift in food habits of wild animals
Animals and birds at some places in Uttarakhand are becoming more dependent on anthropological food waste, says new study
An Indian consumes 11kg plastic every year and an average American 109kg
But that doesn’t mean you get to consume more because even if India's per capita consumption is low compared to developed countries, …
Top 10 stories of the week that was (July 29-August 4)
Down To Earth recaps the primary environment, health and developmental news from the week just gone by
Polyester recycling: Sector largely informal; home furnishing makers in Panipat, Delhi found flouting norms
Downcycled products made at Panipat factories cannot be recycled again; are sent to landfills or burned at the end of their life-cycle
How about climate-neutral plastic? New research suggests that may be possible
The model hinged on the principle of circular economy can be achieved by using three simple technologies that already exist
Single-use plastic ban: Reading the fine print reveals ominous loopholes
Packaging, which is almost 60% of India’s plastic waste, has not been listed to be phased out
Pollution in Ganga harming riverbed sediments too, says study
Human waste and toxic effluents cause deficit of dissolved oxygen in the river’s most polluted stretches
Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (September 10, 2020)
Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal
Plastic pollution in aquatic systems may triple by 2040: UNEP
Around 23-37 million tonnes of waste could end up in the ocean a year by 2040, up from 9-14 million tonnes a year in 2016