May 29 UN begins talks in Paris on a treaty to end global plastic pollution By Thomas Adamson, Jennifer McDermott, Associated Press The self-named "high ambition coalition" of countries, led by Norway and Rwanda, want limits on plastic production and restrictions on some of the chemicals used in plastics. Continue reading
May 27 Watch 7:27 The UN wants to drastically reduce plastic pollution by 2040. Here’s how By William Brangham, Lorna Baldwin, Harry Zahn As plastic waste piles up in the world’s landfills, sewer systems and oceans, the United Nations has set a goal to reduce plastic pollution by 80 percent by the year 2040. Inger Andersen, head of the United Nations Environment Programme,… Continue watching
Dec 04 Watch 5:44 How countries are trying to tackle the plastic pollution problem together This week, representatives from 150 nations are meeting in Uruguay with the goal of dramatically reducing or eliminating all plastic pollution by 2040. Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers introduced a new bill to help curtail the harmful impacts of plastic waste. Washington… Continue watching
Nov 02 Germany to force plastic makers to help pay for cleanups By Associated Press The Cabinet on Wednesday agreed on a bill that makers of products containing single-use plastic will need to pay into a central fund managed by the government starting in 2025. Continue reading
Mar 02 UN begins work on treaty to fight global plastic pollution By Wanjohi Kabukuru, Associated Press A United Nations panel has agreed to create a legally binding global treaty to address plastic pollution in the world's oceans, rivers and landscape. Continue reading
Feb 25 United Nations considering global treaty to fight plastic pollution By News Desk United Nations member countries are considering proposals for a binding global treaty to curb plastic pollution. Continue reading
Sep 02 Countries take steps toward curbing plastic waste in oceans By Jamey Keaten, Associated Press he pollution can choke off sea life, harm food safety and coastal tourism and contribute to climate change. Continue reading
Jun 23 Watch 7:48 Recycling plastic has been an uphill challenge. Could chemical recycling change that? By Miles O'Brien Plastic pollution is a global threat on our lands and seas. Since World War II, we have created over 9 billion cubic tons of it, yet its recycling remains extremely limited. As part of our "Breakthroughs" series, Miles O'Brien looks… Continue watching
Jan 20 Malaysia returns trash, says it won’t be the world’s waste bin By Associated Press Shipments of unwanted rubbish have been rerouted to Southeast Asia since China banned the import of plastic waste in 2018, but Malaysia and other developing countries are fighting back. Continue reading
Jul 31 This new nanotech could help clean up Earth’s microplastics By Berly McCoy Chemists have adapted emerging technology -- called nanocoils -- to dissolve microplastics and turn the pollution into food for algae. Continue reading