plastic waste

Health news

Everyday plastic chemicals linked to millions of premature births

A new study found that a chemical that is all around us could have contributed to 2 million preterm births. But not all parts of the world are affected to the same extent.

03/04/2026

Earth News

More microplastics found in rural woodland than major city. Here’s why

Researchers have also found “enormous” amounts of microplastics floating through urban air – far exceeding previous estimates.

13/01/2026

Earth News

Fiddler crabs are hoovering up and breaking down microplastics - study

Despite being the size of a Post-It note, these tiny fiddler crabs can ingest and break down microplastic particles, researchers say.

02/01/2026

Europe News

EU countries falling behind on municipal waste recycling, auditors say

The European Court of Auditors says a frail recycling industry, poor funding management and insufficient funds are all major obstacles.

26/11/2025

Earth News

Ocean plastics an ‘existential threat’ to marine diversity - report

New research warns that less than three sugar cubes’ worth of plastics could be fatal for seabirds like the Atlantic puffin.

18/11/2025

Earth News

Why does Greece continues to bury its rubbish and recycle very little?

The waste problem is particularly critical in Athens and the wider area of the Greek capital.

31/10/2025

Europe in Motion

How much packaging waste are EU citizens producing?

Despite packaging waste having risen over the past decade, seven EU countries achieved the 2030 goal of recycling at least 70% of all packaging waste as early as 2023.

31/10/2025

Earth News

Ranked: Which EU country recycles the most plastic packaging waste?

In 2023, the EU generated 79.7 million tonnes of packaging waste in Europe, equivalent to 177.8kg per inhabitant.

23/10/2025

Art

Artist Benjamin Von Wong makes plastic fantastic for climate change

Benjamin Von Wong is a Canadian artist who has been turning plastic waste into spectacular constructions with global impact for a decade. Euronews Culture spoke with the environmental activist about his fight to use recycling to bring about climate change policies.

11/09/2025

No Comment

Protesters urge strong action on plastic pollution at UN talks

The World Wildlife Fund staged a conveyor belt of plastic waste outside the United Nations in Geneva on Wednesday, as countries sought to finalise the first global treaty on plastic pollution.

13/08/2025

Europe in Motion

What is the main use of plastics in Europe amid global negotiations?

As the world's nations strive to agree on a treaty to combat plastic pollution, plastic consumption continues to rise, resulting in the European Union producing about 13.4 million tonnes of CO2 annually from plastics.

12/08/2025

Europe News

Delegates meet for last-chance talks to reduce plastic pollution

Delegates from 176 UN member states, NGOs, scientists and industrialists are meeting in Geneva until 14 August to negotiate an international treaty to reduce plastic pollution.

06/08/2025

Earth News

Final push for global treaty to end plastic pollution begins in Geneva

With plastic production projected to triple by 2060, pressure is mounting to secure a binding agreement that tackles the crisis at its source.

05/08/2025

Earth News

Global Plastics Treaty hangs in the balance as talks resume in Geneva

Campaigners say that industry lobbyists must be banned from the talks to secure a meaningful outcome.

03/08/2025

Ecotech

From Italy to Ukraine, plastic waste gets a second life with DIY tech

Around 1400 tonnes were recycled by the Precious Plastic community in one year. Could open-source tech help plastic recycling finally take off?

20/07/2025

Earth News

Lisbon launches citywide reusable cup scheme to cut plastic waste

The system could remove thousands of discarded cups from Lisbon's public spaces every night.

03/07/2025