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Earth News

Massive fire engulfs plastic landfill in central Czech Rebublic

Firefighters battled a massive fire at a plastic landfill in the Czech Republic on Monday, covering an area of at least 450 square metres.

Earth News

Why is less than 10% of the world’s plastic being recycled?

Cutting down on the production of virgin plastics is essential, campaigners say, in the face of such low reuse rates.

Earth News

Plastic pellets are washing up on UK coast after North Sea ship crash

Although not toxic, nurdles present a deadly risk to wildlife if ingested.

Ecotech

Scientists discover ‘hungry’ marine fungi that eat plastic pollution

Researchers are training ‘mighty’ marine fungi to quickly eat polyurethane, one of our most common plastics.

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Health news

Microplastics are increasingly making their way into the human brain

Between 2016 and 2024, the level of microplastics in analysed brain samples increased by 50 per cent.

Health news

Drinking water contains microplastics smaller than EU detection limit

Scientists say that most microplastics found in drinking water are very fine and thus more likely to pass from the human intestine into the blood and organs.

Earth News

How did this European city get people to return their coffee cups?

More than 700,000 cups were returned here last year. Could deposit machines be coming to more of Europe’s streets?

Earth News

Why did the Global Plastics Treaty talks fail?

The talks were about phasing out plastic production, improving waste management, design requirements for plastic products and funding the global transition away from plastic.

Earth News

Why plastic recycling isn’t the answer to the oceans full of waste

Even if 50 per cent more plastic was recycled there would still be a pollution problem, a French minister said this week.

Earth News

Global Plastics Treaty: The warnings from campaigners to leaders

Compromise is needed, UN environment chief says – but activists warn the public demands decisive action on plastics.

Earth News

Will the fifth Global Plastic Treaty talks finally seal a deal?

Global plastic production has increased over 200-fold to hit almost 460 million tonnes annually since 1950.

Health news

New parents in Paris could be offered anti-pollution baby 'gift bags'

The proposed effort, set to go to a vote on Tuesday, is similar to "baby box" programmes in other European countries and includes non-plastic items.

Europe in Motion

Which countries are losing the battle against plastic grocery bags?

The number of lightweight plastic bags purchased across the EU is staggering – nearly 30 billion in 2022 alone. However, their usage rate is declining rapidly. Which countries use the most, and which are the most eco-friendly?

Health news

Microplastics are shielding pathogens in wastewater - study

Microplastics are harbouring bacteria in wastewater and that could be dangerous for human health.

Scenes

Watch: The Colombian couple tackling homelessness using plastic pollution

In partnership with Media City

John Berrio López and Kelly Rodríguez collect plastic bottles from overflowing landfills and turn them into sustainable structures like schools and houses.

Earth News

French MP proposes ban on certain type of bottled water

France has various schemes in place to lessen plastic usage, but the proposed bill would go further still.

Earth News

Microplastics can be breathed into your brain, new study shows

New research has revealed that plastic from everyday items has the ability to infiltrate the brain.

Europe News

EU bungled plastic waste tax, auditors say

A new levy intended to discourage the landfill and incineration of plastic waste is plagued by dodgy data, and may have led to an uptick in crime, auditors warn

Earth News

Plastic Overshoot Day: The shocking truth about the waste we produce

We are just three-quarters of the way through the year, but the earth has already produced too much plastic waste. What needs to be done?

Business

Capri Sun plans plastic return as paper proves final straw for juice

Customers in Switzerland will soon see plastic straws back on their Capri Sun packets. In the EU, however, paper straws are here to stay.