Indonesia mobilizes 20,000 citizens to clean up plastic pollution

Indonesia wastes upward of 10 billion plastic bags every year, making it the second highest polluter of plastic in the world. Thousands of volunteers gathered around the country in one of the largest plastic cleanups to date.

Thailand to permanently ban plastic, e-scrap imports

Thailand will ban more than 400 types of electronic scrap (e-scrap) imports within the next six months. The government also will ban all types of plastic scrap imports over the course of the next two years.

Avoid plastic food containers for better health

More than 10,000 chemicals are allowed for use in food and packaging materials, many of which were grandfathered in after 1958 without data to back up their safety.

New Zealand Just Announced an Ambitious Ban on Plastic Bags

NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that the ban will go into effect in six months, and retailers found in violation of it will be fined up to $65,000.

Dominica to Implement The World's Most Comprehensive Plastic Bans

By January 2019, Dominica, home to 70,000 people, plans to fully ban all common plastic and styrofoam single-use food containers.

Chile Just Banned Plastic Bags

Chile has just become the first country in South America to ban the widespread use of plastic bags. Following the implementation of the ban, small shops have two years to adapt to the total ban on plastic bags.

UK plastic bag sales drop 86%

It turns out that plastic bag taxes work. Really, really well. The number of plastic bags distributed by the UK's largest retailers has fallen by 86% since 2015, according to government figures.

Africa Is Leading the Way in the Fight Against Plastic

In recent years, more than 60 countries have enacted policies to limit plastic use and more people embark on zero plastic challenges. Emerging epicenters of this movement are in capital cities across Africa.

The largest hotel chain is removing plastic straws from its hotels

Marriott Hotels will be eliminating plastic straws from its 6,500 hotels within the next year.

23-Year-old Invents Method to Break Down Unrecyclable Plastic

Miranda Wang has found a simple way to break down polyethylene and turn it into an essential ingredient for nylon, which otherwise uses petroleum.

Largest Retailer to Phase-Out of Single-Use Plastic Straws

Starbucks gives away over 1 billion straws with their iced drinks every year – but not anymore, thanks to their latest environmental initiative.

India plans to eliminate single-use plastic by 2022

Big news from India: the country aims to abolish single-use plastic in about four years. The move could dramatically reduce the flow of plastic from 1.3 billion people.

A 10,000-km swim across the Pacific to spotlight pollution

In early June, Ben Lecomte will enter the waters to begin a 10,000-km swim across the Pacific Ocean that seeks to shine a light on ocean pollution and plastic contamination.

Recycling E-Waste Adds Toxins Ito Everyday Items

Toxic chemicals such as bromine, antimony and lead are finding their way into food-contact items and other everyday products because manufacturers are using recycled electrical equipment as a source of black plastic.

How We Can Keep Plastics Out of Our Ocean

National Geographic is launching of Plastic or Planet initiative. It will be a long-term, multi-year commitment.