New York becomes second U.S. state to ban plastic bags
State lawmakers in New York have approved a ban on plastic bags at retail and grocery establishments that would take effect next year as part of the state’s budget.
Plastic pollution
Plastic pollution touches every ocean, watershed, and food chain on Earth — but solutions are gaining ground. This archive tracks scientific advances, policy wins, and community-led efforts that are reducing plastic waste and cleaning up what’s already out there.
Adidas to produce 11 million shoes made from recycled plastic in 2019
Adidas have collaborated with Parley for the Oceans, a company that intercepts plastic from beaches before it can reach the oceans. This plastic is then upcycled and made into a yarn becoming a key component of the upper material of Adidas footwear.
Ikea bans all single-use plastic from its stores and restaurants
The Swedish furniture giant said it will stop selling single-use plastic products like straws, plates, cups, freezer bags, garbage bags, and plastic-coated paper plates and cups.
E.U. agrees deal on single-use plastic ban
The single-use plastic ban was introduced earlier this year and yesterday the European commission agreed a deal to set the ban in place.
Australia just cut 80% of its plastic bag use in 3 months
When Australia’s two largest supermarket chains banned plastic bags three months ago, it led to an 80 percent reduction in the country’s overall consumption of plastic bags.
U.K. Government announces new plastic tax
The U.K. Government has announced a world-leading new tax on plastic packaging in the autumn Budget.
Plastic waste elimination pledge by 2025 attracts 250+ big firms
Some 250 big organisations have now pledged to eradicate plastic waste by 2025, including Coca Cola, H&M and L’Oreal, up from 40 in April.
European Parliament approves ban on single-use plastics
The European Parliament voted on Wednesday to enact a complete ban on some single-use plastics, such as drinking straws and disposable cutlery, across the European Union.
U.K. government announces plans to ban plastic straws, cotton-buds, and stirrers
The U.K. government has laid out plans to prohibit the distribution and sale of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds.
In a world-first, Carlsberg to replace plastic ring can holders with recyclable glue
Carlsberg’s snap pack shows how rethinking a single everyday product can remove a genuinely harmful material from the environment at scale. The adhesive holds cans together through shipping and refrigeration, then releases cleanly — and because it bonds directly to aluminium, it recycles right alongside the can with no extra step for consumers. That adds up to more than 1,200 tonnes of plastic eliminated annually from one company’s packaging alone. Aluminium production still carries its own carbon costs, so this isn’t a complete solution — but it’s a concrete, verifiable step that other brewers and regulators could build on.