The road ahead
Jute, coir and waste material are set to make rural roads economic and eco-friendly
Microplastics can alter gut microbiome, cause intestinal inflammation: FAO
Severity of health impact was proportional to the concentration and particle shape of microplastics
How 6 fast-growing Asian countries consume plastic packaging
New report on China, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia
Pune’s draft bye-laws threaten existing model of plastic waste management
The bye-laws not only threaten the existing SWaCH model but also lacks clarity on guidelines for extended producer responsibility
Science and Technology - Briefs
Plastic pellets on the beaches of Maharashtra: Should we be worried?
International Maritime Organization should classify plastic pellets as environmentally hazardous due to the chemicals that are added to them and …
Indian-American’s start-up could revolutionise the fight against marine litter
Based in Los Angeles, ‘Moral Fiber’ has developed a three-step chemical process that can extract polyester from mixed blend materials …
Go circular to end plastic pollution, UNEP report urges ahead of global meet
Any delays in executing necessary shifts mean higher costs and an additional 80 million tonnes of plastic pollution, it says
Bytes
Almost 90% Indians support cutting plastic production to tackle pollution and combat climate change: Greenpeace
Greenpeace calls for a Global Plastics Treaty that reflects public’s rejection of plastic, demands at least 75% reduction in plastic …
Fifteen non-profits take fresh legal action against Europe’s biggest plastics project
This marks a new phase in the over three-year long legal battle against INEOS’ ‘Project One’, a €3 billion plastic project …
Plastic endgame: Did UNEA 5.2 start a new era
The world’s adoption of the resolution to end plastic pollution by 2024 is only the first step in a long battle
Election Commission, NGT, environment ministry say no to plastics in 2019 poll campaigning
Efforts are on for the first time to reduce the use of non-degradable materials during the upcoming general elections
Centre amends Plastic Waste Rules, but misses out on strengthening implementation
The amendment does not address the issue of changes needed in plastic waste rules concerning extended producer responsibility
NGT orders Centre to test cosmetics containing microbeads
An NGT bench has asked the Centre to ensure no dangerous cosmetics are allowed to manufacture and sold to the public
Science And Technology - Briefs
New plastic waste management rules leave out vital points
One aspect that was not dealt with was the informal sector of waste collection
Environment ministry order bans use of plastic packaging for tobacco, gutkha
The ministry passed its order after the companies failed to adhere to the Supreme Court directive asking them to adhere to the new Plastic Waste …
Plastic-free planet: Third session of Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee begins in Nairobi
Global Coalition for Plastics Sustainability announced; India submits pre-meeting written statement for first time
Prevention, not mitigation needed to solve South Africa’s plastic problem: WWF
Interventions needed across plastic value chain rather than just waste management
An Indian consumes 11kg plastic every year and an average American 109kg
But that doesn’t mean you get to consume more because even if India's per capita consumption is low compared to developed countries, …
UNEA 5.2: Excitement, jubilation as resolution to end plastic pollution by 2024 adopted
The treaty called for “sovereignty of states to work for public good”