HAPPY NEW YEAR! This week, plastic bans have gone into effect around the world; Reuters created visual aids to show us how much plastic we consume; Dezeen’s top ten innovative materials of 2019; and more.
Reuters has created visual aids to show how much microplastic we consume on a regular basis. This is how much we eat every year. Article and photo from Reuters.
INITIATIVES
It’s finally 2020, which means that plastic bans are going into effect around the world. In the Caribbean, seven countries are banning single-use plastics. This is significant, as 10 of the top 30 plastic polluters per capita are based in the Caribbean. Read more on Green Matters.
Around the U.S., cities and states are also implementing bans on plastics, including bags, styrofoam containers, and so on. Back in August, National Geographic created a map that shows which states have implemented bans or fees on plastic. See the map and more at National Geographic.
You’ve heard about oil spills, but what about plastic spills? [Plastic] pellet spills - which occur during the shipping of pre-production plastic pellets - are estimated to be the second largest source of microplastic pollution in the ocean. Recently, a new program was introduced to increase transparency around the shipping practices of plastic pellets. However, some say that it does not go far enough. Read more on Benzinga.
In March, Australia will host its first National Plastics Summit to help tackle the country’s growing plastic pollution problem. The summit will focus on innovative ideas to help close the circular economy. Read more on The Guardian.
Kamikatsu, a small town in Japan, is on its way to becoming the country’s first zero-waste municipality. Efforts to achieve this include work from residents, manufacturers, and the government, alike. The town has even developed a Zero Waste Accreditation System that certifies local stores. Check out these efforts on DownToEarth.
In addition to banning plastic bags, Thailand is also banning plastic microbeads in cosmetic products. About time! Read more on Thai PBS World.
OTHER NEWS
Reuters has created a series of photos to help us visualize how much microplastic we eat on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis. The shots may make you lose your appetite. Check them out on Reuters.
Not-so-fun fact: The plastic we see polluting the ocean only accounts for 1% of ocean plastic. The rest ends up buried in sediment, deep down on the ocean floor. Read more about this issue and the scientists researching it on The Guardian.
2019 was a big year for considering plastic alternatives. Dezeen published a list of their top 10 innovative design materials, including seaweed, spider silk, cellulose, coffee, and more. See the list on Dezeen.
Ecuadorian start-up Shippify is looking to expand its services to a number of Latin American countries in 2020. The company is effectively a marketplace, which connects e-commerce merchants with trusted delivery personnel who are already heading in the direction that the package is going. Read more about the service on Contxto.
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