Single-Use Plastic a Growing Environmental Threat

Single-Use plastics have become a pollution and litter problem in the United States and across the globe. Only about 9.5% of post-consumer plastic is collected for recycling so much of the non-recycled plastic ends up in the oceans, rivers, lakes, streams, along roadways or in landfills and incinerators. ....more

2023

Report - ZW: Nothing Left Behind - Zero Waste Europe – April 2023

Report - ZW: Branded Five Years of Holding Corporate Plastic Polluters Accountable – 2018 – 2022 – Break Free From Plastic - 2023

Video - ZWThe Great Pacific Garbage Patch is now so huge and permanent that a coastal ecosystem is thriving on it, scientists say – CNN – 4/18/2023

Article - G&P: EPA faces questions over plastics-based fuel with huge cancer risk -- The Guardian – 4/11/2023

Article - G&P: Exxon’s new ‘advanced recycling’ plant raises environmental concerns – The Guardian – 4/10/2023

Article - L: Methane big part of ‘alarming’ rise in planet-warming gases – AP News – 4/06/2023

Article - ZW: ‘Really encouraging’: Plastic bag bans work, say campaigners. – euronews.green – 4/05/2023

Article - G&P: Groups petition US EPA to force reporting of waste incinerator emissions Reuters - 4/03/2023

Article - ZW: Zero Waste Day: UN calls for war on garbage - United Nations – 3/30/2023

Article - ZW: Groups make declaration on first UN zero waste day - Waste & Recycling – 3/30/2023 (WEAL among the 200 groups)

Article - ZW: Legislation introduced to lift Michigan’s ban on local plastic bag bans – Michigan Public Radio 3/24/2023

Microplastics are in our bodies. Here’s why we don’t know the health risks – Science News – 3/24/2023.

Article - ZW: Illinois House Passes Legislation Banning Single-Use Food Containers – Waste 360 – 3/23/2023

Article - G&P: New Hampshire welcomes ‘advanced recycling’ of plastics as some call for tighter regulations – Energy News Network – 3/15/2023

Article – ZW - Los Angeles launches citywide organics service, awards compost contracts worth up to $1.67B – Waste Dive – 1/25/2023

Article – L -EPA proposes further leachate regulations after study finds PFAS at 95% of surveyed landfills – Waste Dive – 1/24/2023 

Article – ZW – New York City’s ‘skip stuff’ bill for foodware items goes to mayor’s desk  -Waste Drive – 1/24/2023

Article – ZW – Sanitation Department Adds 200 ‘Smart Bins” In New York City’s Latest Composting Expansion – Waste Advantage Magazine – 1/24/2023

Article – L - Some landfills will begin treating PFAS on-site as regulators move to adopt new limits – Waste Dive – 1/17/2023

Article – ZW - New law aims to break link between food waste, warming climate - HeraldNet – 1/15/2023

Report – ZW - Beyond Circular Fashion – A New Business Model for the Fashion Industry - Zero Waste Europe – January 2023 

Article - TCD – This State Just Passed First-of-its-Kind Ban on Throwing Out Old Clothes – TCD - 1/09/2023

Article – P&G - Congress Urges EPA to Maintain Clean-Air Regulations on Chemical Recycling of Plastics – Inside Climate News – 1/06/2023

Article - P&G – Advanced Recycling Mines the Metaverse – Politico – 1/05/2023

Article - L – Crews Removing Waste from Menomonee Falls Quarry to New Landfill - TMJ4 – 1/05/2023

Article – L - EPA OKs methane testing by drone at landfills – Waste Today – 1/03/2023

Article – P&G – New York Campaigners Issue Climate change Warning Amid “Orwellian” Advanced Recycling Push – Packaging Insights - 1/02/2023

2022

Article – P&G – New Report Reveals the Scam of Advanced Recycling AKA Pyrolysis - Uprise RI – 12/15/2022

Article - P&G - Industry's big bet on chemical recycling is sparking policy fights across the country – Politico – 12/14/2022

Report – P&G - Loopholes, Injustice, & the Advance Recycling Myth – Ken Budris, Just Zero – 12/14/2022 

Report - ZW: Zero Waste to Zero Emissions How Reducing Waste is a Climate Gamechanger – Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) – 10/04/2022

Video - ZW: Zero Waste to Zero Emissions Virtual Launch 10/04/2022 (Several WEAL Board members were present for the launch.)

Article - ZW: How a zero waste approach helped Lviv stay resilient – Emerging Europe – 10/04/2022

Article - P&G: Experts decry ‘funny math’ of plastics industry’s ‘advanced recycling’ claims – Mongabay – 9/28/2022

Article - ZW: With more solar panels entering the US waste stream, EPR policy and standards emerge – Waste Dive – 9/27/2022

Wisconsin Video - L: Concerned residents hope to form an advisory group in response to proposed Menomonee Falls landfill expansion – Spectrum News Milwaukee – 9/22/2022

Article - W: International Costal Supports Coast Cleanup Efforts with Data Collection – Waste 360 – 9/22/2022

Article - ZW: Ikea’s restaurants have more than halved food waste since 2017 – Reuters - 9/20/202

Wisconsin Article - L: Seven Mile Creek Landfill Expansion Officially Negotiated After Four Years Progress – Waste 360 – 9/19/2022

Report: “Stemming the Tide” Statement of Accountability – Ocean Conservancy – 7/10/2022 and related

10/02/2015 Open Letter to Ocean Conservancy regarding the Report “Stemming the Tide” (WEAL signed this letter)

Article ZW: Rhode Island Governor signs plastic bag ban law – Waste Dive – 7/08/2022

Article ZW: National bottle bill supporters eyeing 2023 for updated draft legislation – Waste Dive – 7/07/2022

Article L: Toxic Gases from Demolition Waste Landfills are Poisoning Thousands Globally – Newswire – 7/06/2022

Article ZW: California passes first sweeping US law to reduce single-use plastics – The Guardian – 6/30/2022

Article P&G: Controversial ‘Advanced Recycling’ Legislation Dies – Eco RI News – 6/22/2022

Article ZW: Government will ban some single-use plastics over the next eighteen months – CBC (Canada) – 6/20/2022

Report - L - Fire at Orchard Ridge - 6/19/2022

Article ZW: National Parks to phase out single-use plastics– Greenwire – 6/08/2022

Article ZW: Boston curbside pilot to begin in August – Waste Dive – 5/27/2022