The new global plastics treaty needs to tackle inequalities that surround how plastics are produced, handled, collected or not, and the level of care taken to deal with them.

Tiny flakes of plastic, generated by the wear and tear of normal driving, eventually accumulate in the soil, in rivers and lakes, and even in our food.

Global action has always been the missing piece of the picture, as the plastics economy transcends national boundaries. A new treaty could change that.

And why wildlife may be the biggest beneficiary.

As concern about plastic pollution mounts, the federal government is revising its standards for calling products recyclable. A recent fine against Keurig could be a sign of things to come.

Pinpointing the biggest pollution hotspots helps to design more targeted ways to deal with plastic waste.

Better measuring standards, more responsibility for producers and an end to single-use products are all positive steps. But the US has not yet endorsed a cap on plastic production.

Better measuring standards, more responsibility for producers and an end to single-use products are all positive steps. But the US has not yet endorsed a cap on plastic production.

Litter reduces the beneficial effects of being by the sea.

Understanding how plastic pollution moves in rivers is key to effective cleanup strategies.