As plastic production grows, treaty negotiations to reduce plastic waste are stuck in low gear

A central question remains unresolved in the draft treaty: Is plastic pollution basically a waste management problem, or can it be solved only with a cap on production?

Sarah J. Morath, Professor of Law and Associate Dean for International Affairs, Wake Forest University • conversation
Nov. 30, 2023 ~10 min

New class of recyclable polymer materials could one day help reduce single-use plastic waste

A team of scientists has developed a method for creating a new class of plastic materials that are potentially more recyclable than single-use plastics.

Emma Rettner, PhD Candidate in Materials Science and Engineering, Colorado State University • conversation
Oct. 19, 2023 ~7 min


New single-use plastic ban takes effect in England – here's why its impact may be limited

The new ban will raise awareness about the plastic crisis. But failing to provide viable alternatives may simply displace the problem, instead of addressing it

Keiron Roberts, Senior Lecturer in Sustainability and the Built Environment, University of Portsmouth • conversation
Oct. 2, 2023 ~7 min

Sea glass, a treasure formed from trash, is on the decline as single-use plastic takes over

Sea glass, while an eye-catching treasure and a multimillion-dollar industry, exists because of decades of improper waste management.

Lori Weeden, Teaching Professor of Environmental Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, UMass Lowell • conversation
Sept. 28, 2023 ~7 min

Researchers turned superglue into a recyclable, cheap, oil-free plastic alternative

Researchers have developed a method for producing strong plastic materials by tweaking the chemical structure of superglue.

Scott Phillips, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Boise State University • conversation
March 22, 2023 ~5 min

Will we eventually have to send our trash into space if we run out of room on Earth?

Humans generate a lot of trash, but there are cheaper and safer ways to handle it than loading it on rockets.

Kate O'Neill, Professor of Global Environmental Politics, University of California, Berkeley • conversation
March 6, 2023 ~6 min

Single-use plastic bans: research shows three ways to make them effective

How to make England’s new ban a success.

Tegan Evans, PhD Candidate in Ocean Governance, University of Portsmouth • conversation
Jan. 13, 2023 ~6 min

Plastic pollution is a global problem – here's how to design an effective treaty to curb it

Public, government and corporate support for a world treaty to curb plastic waste is growing. Treaties addressing mercury pollution, long-range air pollution and ozone depletion offer some lessons.

Sarah J. Morath, Associate Professor of Legal Writing, Wake Forest University • conversation
Feb. 24, 2022 ~10 min


Top tips for tackling plastic pollution -- from marine scientists

Making environmentally friendly choices is complex: here’s a guide to help you at home or out shopping.

Clare E. Collins, Postgraduate Research Student in Environmental Sciences, University of Hull • conversation
Aug. 4, 2021 ~8 min

How businesses could cut plastic waste with a track and trace system

The hard work of eliminating plastic waste must start with businesses.

Katherine Ellsworth-Krebs, Senior Research Associate in Sustainability, Lancaster University • conversation
Feb. 16, 2021 ~7 min

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