As fossil-fuel derivatives, plastics are made of refined carbon. By 2015, about 6.3 billion tonnes of plastic waste had been generated, with around 79% of this accumulating in landfills or the natural environment, where it breaks into ever smaller pieces. Each year, plastic production increases exponentially: the total weight of carbon in plastic has surpassed the mass of all animals combined, and is likely to equal the mass of all bacteria by 2095 (see 'Litter legacy').
The Russian invasion of Ukraine will have long-lasting consequences for all of us. Like the 1939 invasion of Poland introduced the world to 'blitzkrieg'-high-speed tanks and air power quickly jumping enveloping and eliminating enemy lines-this war is the herald of a new military era of relentless unmanned war machines hunting the enemy through air, land, and water. The drones are part of a new, high-speed technological race with a major unintended consequence: endless miles of plastic string pollution.
"At one end of the spectrum are the small island states, which are confronted with immense plastic pollution on their coasts and in their seas without contributing significantly to the pollution themselves," said Jochen Flasbarth, Germany's state secretary for the environment.
Bethanie Carney Almroth described a hostile environment during the UN negotiations on plastic pollution, with personal harassment and intimidation by representatives of chemical companies.
The draft legislation aims to compel wet wipe manufacturers to clean up their products from clogged sewers, addressing environmental damage and helping Spain align with EU regulations.
By contrast, glass is non-porous, so it doesn't leach toxins into food, regardless of temperatures. It's also resistant to chemical changes, so glass containers don't absorb food flavors, moisture, or bacteria.
The advent of eco-friendly diapers that utilize plastic-eating fungi signifies a crucial step towards reducing diaper waste, moving beyond conventional solutions to address plastic pollution.