Global World News The World Is Flooded With Plastic Waste

How extreme weather is making plastic pollution more mobile, more persistent and more hazardous

Microplastics are already an environmental and health threat, but as the world heats up, they are becoming a much bigger and more hazardous problem, according to a new analysis ... Read More

How a global plastic treaty could cut down pollution—if the world can agree on one

The "Paris agreement for plastic" was set to be finalized at the end of this week. But after a week and a half of intense discussions in Geneva, Switzerland, where negotiators from 180 countries are ... Read More

Climate change dramatically spiking spread of dangerous microplasticss

Rising temperatures, stronger ultraviolet radiation and increased humidity cause plastics to break down faster into microplastics. Extreme weather events such as storms, floods and strong winds, which ... Read More

Why the World Is Deadlocked Over a Treaty to Stop Plastics Pollution

After three years of talks, and despite growing warnings about the dangers of plastics pollution, nations are at an impasse again over what to do about it. By Hiroko Tabuchi Negotiations over the ... Read More

One of the world's most polluted cities has banned single-use plastics. It's not so easy

Lagos, Nigeria — Nigerian shop manager Olarewanju Ogunbona says he uses Styrofoam and plastic packs at least five times a day — nothing unusual in the megacity of Lagos, one of the world's most ... Read More

World plastic pollution treaty talks collapse with no deal

Talks aimed at striking a landmark global treaty on plastic pollution fell apart Friday as countries failed to find consensus on how the world should tackle the ever-growing scourge. Negotiators from ... Read More

A global treaty to limit plastic pollution is within reach—will countries seize the moment?

Representatives from 175 countries will gather in Geneva, Switzerland, in August for the final round of negotiations on a legally binding UN treaty to end plastic pollution. Non-governmental ... Read More

The world’s plastic glut is set to get much worse by 2040, study finds

Plastic pollution is set to surge by 2040, reaching 280 million metric tons annually. This alarming projection comes from a Pew Charitable Trusts report. Countries are failing to limit new plastic ... Read More

Nations gather to confront the world’s spiraling plastic pollution crisis

Nations kicked off a meeting on Tuesday to try to complete a landmark treaty aimed at ending the plastic pollution crisis that affects every ecosystem and person on the planet. It’s the sixth time ... Read More

Ocean protection group covers art with waste to build support for plastics treaty

GENEVA (AP) — A Swiss ocean protection group is handing out bars of soap in cardboard boxes, with a simple message that reads: “no dirty tricks, vote for a clean plastics treaty.” Some delegates from ... Read More

Campaigners of a sweeping plastics treaty climb buildings, hand out soap and cover art with waste

Geneva — A Swiss ocean protection group is handing out bars of soap in cardboard boxes, with a simple message that reads: “no dirty tricks, vote for a clean plastics treaty.” Some delegates from the ... Read More

What’s Next for the Circular Economy After Plastics Treaty Meltdown

Negotiations on a global treaty to rein in plastic waste ended in Geneva, Switzerland, early Friday without an agreement, as the majority of nations in favor of a strong treaty were stalemated by ... Read More