Category Archives: Uncategorized

A June 8, 2022 EPA news release https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/biden-harris-administration-and-epa-announce-375-million-funding-bipartisan advises that the Agency is seeking public comment by July 25 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/06/09/2022-12458/recycling-education-and-outreach-grant-program-and-model-recycling-program-toolkit-request-for on “… a Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant program, a Recycling Education and Outreach grant program, a Model Recycling Program toolkit … [and] best practices for battery collection, recycling, and labeling guidelines … EPAContinue reading “Recycling, Reuse, Prevention and Education – EPA Seeks Comments on $375 Million Grant Program”

The abstract of a May 28, 2022 Microplastics and Nanoplastics article https://microplastics.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s43591-022-00032-4 by international  researchers led by the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project reports that “… Throughout the past decade, many studies have reported adverse effects in biota following microplastic exposure. Yet, the field is still emerging as the current understanding of microplastic toxicityContinue reading “Microplastics – Toxicity Data Available in Database “ToMEx””

The abstract of a June 9, 2022, Microbial Genomics article https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/mgen/10.1099/mgen.0.000842 by researchers with Australia The University of Queensland reports that “… we assessed changes in the gut microbiome of superworms (Zophobas morio) reared on bran, polystyrene or under starvation conditions over a 3 weeks period. Superworms on all diets were able to complete theirContinue reading “Plastic Waste – Polystyrene Degradation by Superworms Reported”

A June 8, 2022, The Recycling Partnership news release https://recyclingpartnership.org/pet-recycling-coalition/ announced “… the launch of its PET Recycling Coalition, an initiative informed by industry knowledge and expertise to improve PET … circularity. Its work will focus on …: Increasing the capture of PET bottles: Broadening the acceptance of PET trays, cups, and clamshells in community recycling collection programs;Continue reading “Recycling – Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Recycling Coalition Formed”

A June 8, 2022 Interior Department news release https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/secretary-haaland-issues-order-phase-out-single-use-plastics-protect-public-lands-0 advises that the DoI Secretary has issued an Executive Order https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/elips/documents/so-3407.pdf “… which aims to reduce the procurement, sale and distribution of single-use plastic products and packaging with a goal of phasing out single-use plastic products on Department-managed lands by 2032. The Order is part ofContinue reading “Plastic Waste – Single Use Plastic Products on Interior Department Managed Lands to be Phased Out by 2032”

The abstract of an April 21, 2022 Particle and Fibre Toxicology article https://particleandfibretoxicology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12989-022-00473-y#Sec1 by researchers with the Germany Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology and others reports that “… The ubiquitous nature of micro- (MP) and nanoplastics (NP) is a growing environmental concern. However, their potential impact on human health remains unknown. Research increasinglyContinue reading “Micro and Nano Plastics – Rodent Health Effects Explored”

A June 7, 2022 American Chemistry Council (ACC) news release https://www.americanchemistry.com/chemistry-in-america/news-trends/press-release/2022/plastic-makers-americans-urge-action-on-plastic-waste advises that a recent World Wildlife Fund (WWF) public opinion poll on plastics and policy guidance on a circular economy for packaging ”… reinforces the need for Congress, state and local governments, and the plastics value chain to do more to address waste andContinue reading “Plastic Waste – Plastic Makers Agree that “more must be done””

A June 6, 2022 Earth Island Institute news release https://www.earthisland.org/index.php/news/entry/coca-cola-pepsico-major-consumer-goods-companies-must-face-plastic-pollution-lawsuit-brought-by-environmental-group-in-california advises that on June 2 the Superior Court of California, San Mateo County, issued a court order https://www.earthisland.org/images/uploads/suits/2022-06-03_Order_Denying_Defts_MTQ.pdf allowing Earth Island’s “… lawsuit to proceed against 10 major consumer goods companies for the nuisance allegedly created by their plastic packaging, including polluting California waterways with plasticContinue reading “Sustainability Claims – Earth Island Lawsuit against Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestle, Mars and Several Others to Proceed in California”

On June 3, 2022, the Colorado governor signed https://www.colorado.gov/governor/news/8171-governor-polis-signing-bills-prepare-and-respond-wildfires-protect-colorados-environment into law HB22-1355 “Producer Responsibility Program For Recycling” to “… remove the costs of recycling from localities and taxpayers, and save Coloradans money …” – The bill text at https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb22-1355 notes: “… On or before June 1, 2023, the executive director (executive director) of the ColoradoContinue reading “Recycling – Colorado Enacts Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law”

The abstract of a Journal of Hazardous Materials article to be published August 15, 2022 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129011 by researchers with the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Italy Politecnico di Torino, Switzerland École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, and ETH Zurich reports that “… Microplastics detected in potable water sources and tap water have led to concernsContinue reading “Nanoplastics – Effective Removal from Drinking Water by Sand Filtration Reported”