Zero waste

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.

Menus with eco-labels encourage diners to make more environmentally friendly choices
A ground-breaking study suggests that traffic light labels can help reduce the climate impact of food choices

High Street Chemist ‘Boots’ to Stop Selling Plastic-Based Wet Wipes in the UK
Pharmacy joins other retail chains vowing to stop sales of plastic wipes by end of this year, as part of efforts to cut non-biodegradable waste.

Businesses share green knowledge to save carbon and money
A Staffordshire Moorlands pub has changed the way it operates to save on carbon. It comes as Staffordshire businesses big and small are sharing expertise to save money and carbon emissions.

Amount of waste on UK beaches is falling, national clean-up finds
75% of ocean littler is still plastic or polystyrene and the government approach not good enough, say campaigners

Hertfordshire’s first net-zero carbon school approved by councillors
Plans for a county’s first net-zero carbon school have been approved by councillors. Aiming to open for September 2022.