Pollution

The key to combating pollution is to build alternatives to plastic
Sustainable plastic substitutes abound in nature, but to increase production and remove restrictions, nations and businesses must cooperate across borders

A landmark agreement is reached by UN delegates on safeguarding marine biodiversity in international waters
After nearly two decades of negotiations, Secretary-General António Guterres praised UN member nations for completing a document to secure the preservation and sustainable use of marine biological variety in regions outside of national borders, calling it a “breakthrough.”

Scientists issue a warning as plastic garbage creates rocks off the coast of Brazil: “pollution has reached geology.”
Geologists in Brazil’s Trindade Island have discovered “terrifying” rocks consisting of plastic trash.

Exmouth has received official “plastic-free” status
Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), a nonprofit organisation dedicated to marine conservation, has officially recognised Exmouth as a Plastic Free Community.

Catching the Wave of Ocean Pollution
Our ocean’s plastic pollution has terrible effects on biodiversity, fishing, tourism, and coastal communities. In order to address this issue, the EU has taken numerous actions, including direct legislative measures, awareness-raising efforts (such as the ongoing #EUBeachCleanup), and financial support for creative projects addressing marine plastic pollution. One of those initiatives is the EU-funded project “STRANDET,” which helps recycle a significant volume of plastic that has been gathered on beaches in Denmark’s north-west Jutland.

Ocean largely littered with take-out food, study shows
44% of ocean plastics are linked to takeaway food and drink items, scientists say the pollution must be stopped at source.

Retask the Mask: UK recycling campaign tackling face mask pollution
A new project that will turn used single-use face-masks into waste-collection equipment has been launched in the UK. The scheme will recycle PPE into litter pickers.

Cycling is ten times more important than electric cars for reaching net-zero cities
Cycling, e-biking or walking can help tackle the climate crisis.

Waitrose responds to 10-year old girl campaigning to ditch plastic toys in magazines
Waitrose has said it will no longer stock magazines with disposable plastic toys in an effort to help tackle plastic pollution.

Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Nestlé named world’s worst plastic polluters for third year in a row
Coca-Cola ranked world’s largest plastic polluter according to Break Free From Plastic’s annual audit.