Plastic Pollution

Earth Day reminds us to protect nature. It is a time to reflect, behave, and imagine a brighter tomorrow.

Ditch your chewing gum and opt for mints or fresh herbs, here's why

A recent study results suggests that chewing gum may release hundreds to thousands of microplastics into saliva, which could then be swallowed. While more research is needed, these findings highlight yet another hidden source of plastic exposure in daily life. Here’s what you need to know.

Over 100 countries back plastic treaty caps as talks reach fierce finish

The fifth and final UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) meeting to yield a legally binding international treaty is set to wrap up in Busan on Sunday, but as of Sunday morning, a final plenary session has not been set.

Doctors remove 30 kg of plastic from cow's stomach in Odisha

The stray cow, which used to feed on leftovers dumped in polythene bags by people, ended up with its stomach full of plastic and subsequently its intestines.

2023 Plastic Overshoot Day Report: All you need to understand how big is the plastic waste problem

As per the Plastic Overshoot Day report 2023, by 2040 plastic production is set to double, with plastic pollution is expected to triple.

Jumbo problem: Sri Lanka's battle with plastic pollution

Heart-wrenching images of revered elephants and cattle eating plastic in Sri Lanka have prompted politicians to toughen pollution laws, but sceptical conservationists warn past bans were repeatedly ignored

Number story: India chucks around 3,800 tonnes of PET plastic a day

More than 14 lakh tonnes of PET plastic, in which bottled water is typically packaged, is consumed annually in India. It works out to more than 3,800 tonnes on a single day.

In Pics: Senegalese recyclers seek solutions in fight against plastic

The Senegalese visitors were given a tour of the recycling process from start to finish -- from shredding and washing old plastic, drying it in a centrifuge and finally heating it to a molten state and extruding it, so that it can then be moulded into a new product.

Pune startup creates world's first recycled sunglasses from packets of chips

A Pune startup has created what it says are the world’s first recycled sunglasses made from discarded packets of chips and chocolates.

Report names PepsiCo as worst plastic polluter in India in 2022

The most common plastic products found in India were food packaging, household products and other packaging materials

'Plastic Man' in Senegal on a mission against trash

Environmental activist Modou Fall wears the plastic problem on his sleeve and more. The “Plastic Man” moves around wearing strands and chunks of plastic to draw attention to the risk the hazardous material poses to waterways, beaches and animal life

Tiny turtle pooped ‘pure plastic’ for 6 days after being rescued in Sydney

A baby green sea turtle rescued from a Sydney beach had consumed so much plastic that it took six days for it all to be excreted, a wildlife hospital has said.

50th World Environment Day: History and theme for 2022 

Only One Earth was the theme for the first climate conference in Stockholm. Adopted again 50 years on, the theme reiterates that this planet is our only home, and humanity must safeguard its finite resources.

Maharashtra joins WEF in fight against plastic pollution

The partnership will bring together Maharashtra's leading policy-makers, business leaders, civil society organizations and experts to formulate a state-level plan to eradicate plastic pollution.

UN’s resolve to end plastic pollution cannot emulate its slow pace in fighting Climate Change

For a world riddled with plastic waste in all its nooks and crevices, the plastic pollution treaty cannot afford to be too late, too little, and too vague like the Paris Agreement is in arresting runaway Climate Change 

Explainer| Where the plastic things are: unexpected plastic products in our lives

Synthetic textiles, non-woven bags, polyester fibres in soft toys, cigarette butts, chewing gum, tea bags and even religious offerings are some of the unexpected places where some form of plastic shows up.

Plastic and chemical pollution has exceeded the "limits" of the planet: Study

The torrent of man-made chemical and plastic waste worldwide has massively exceeded limits safe for humanity or the planet, and production caps are urgently needed, scientists have concluded for the first time.

In Pics | Inside a 4-year-old girl's mission to clear plastic waste from the ocean

Eleven million tons of plastic are discarded into the ocean every year, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. Plastic debris can be deadly to seabirds and marine life, with hundreds and thousands of marine mammals dying each year by consuming or being trapped in plastic waste.

In Pics | Shocking images of plastic pollution around the world showcased at UN exhibition

The images show how the indiscriminate use of plastic waste is impacting daily lives and surroundings. Let’s take a look at some of those insane pictures from around the globe.

Check out these 8 global corporates accused of ‘two-faced hypocrisy, reframing, or ignoring' plastic pollution

The report focused on companies who actually took the step of announcing the amount of plastic they produce

In Pics | Rising biomedical waste amid coronavirus pandemic poses a new challenge

With so many disposal items being used by hospitals and quarantine centres, plastic pollution is getting worse. A look at how it can prove to be a big problem.

Meet the Meghalaya IAS officer who walks 10 km every week to buy sustainably-grown vegetables

To cut down on exertion, Singh and his wife started carrying ‘Kokcheng’ (traditional, local bamboo baskets) to the market, which helped them fight plastic pollution too.

Railway stations in Bengaluru get plastic crushers that give you cashback for discarding a single-use bottle

The Bengaluru division of South Western Railway has set up bottle crushers at KSR city, Yeshwantpur Cantonment and Krishnarajapuram stations to tackle plastic pollution.

India has set example by committing to beat plastic pollution: UN

Speaking ahead of the World Environment Day on June 5, to which India is the global host, Naysan Sahba, director of the UN Environment Programme's Division of Communications and Public Information, said India is "very active" in tackling issues related to environmental pollution.