Latest news with #plasticWaste
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hidden crisis exposed at famous Aussie island after 2,300 kilo discovery
In the space of a single week, conservationists removed an astonishing 2,300 kilograms of rubbish that washed ashore along beaches at an Australian island off the west coast, exposing a "shocking and disgusting" problem that continues to plague the spot. Christmas Island — an external territory located in the Indian Ocean, about 1,550 km northwest of the Australian mainland and roughly 350 km south of Indonesia — continues to be hammered by tonnes of rubbish continually floating in, often "overwhelming" volunteers working tirelessly to combat it. Yet, despite the challenges, they remained more determined than ever, collecting a "growing body of evidence" that "clearly shows the scale, sources, and types of marine debris" polluting the region. The team at the Tangaroa Blue Foundation routinely conduct waste removal missions on the island, embarking on their first mission of the year in March and recently in June. During this latest mission, several tonnes of garbage were removed — over 45,000 individual pieces — from the island's remote beaches. Heidi Tait, CEO at the foundation, highlighted the significant impact of plastic waste on the island's marine environment. "During Tangaroa Blue Foundation's June 2025 clean-up on Christmas Island, the dominant types of marine debris collected were hard plastic fragments, bottle caps and lids, foam packaging, and soft plastic film remnants. These items, primarily associated with plastic packaging, constituted the majority," she told Yahoo News Australia. Heidi said the majority of the marine debris collected on Christmas Island is believed to be carried in from international waters, rather than originating locally. "Ocean currents transport waste from across the Indo-Pacific region, with items showing signs of long-distance drift and packaging often labelled in various Asian languages, particularly Indonesian," she said. "While some debris may come from passing ships or regional fishing activity, the volume and diversity of items strongly indicate a broader international pollution issue." Heidi said it "can be overwhelming to see a beach return to its polluted state", with waste often returning merely days after other rubbish had been removed. But "what keeps us motivated is the data we collect" during every clean-up for the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) Database. "Each item we record becomes part of a growing body of evidence that clearly shows the scale, sources, and types of marine debris impacting Christmas Island," she said. "This data is critical—it turns a visible environmental issue into scientific evidence that can be used to advocate for upstream solutions, inform policy, and engage industries and governments in preventing pollution at the source. That's how we stay motivated—by knowing our efforts are part of a bigger picture driving long-term change." Heidi said the most effective way to reduce marine debris on remote islands like Christmas Island is through upstream policy change and international collaboration, including a strong Global Plastics Treaty, extended producer responsibility, stricter plastic regulations, and better waste systems in nearby countries. After collecting over 2,300kg of waste on Christmas Island, the debris is sorted and recorded through the Australian Marine Debris Initiative to help track pollution trends. Due to the island's remoteness and lack of recycling options, most waste ends up in landfills, though some is upcycled locally for community projects. The main goal is to remove threats to wildlife and gather data to support long-term prevention. Calls for major change after 'devastating' find among bones 'Worst trash wave ever' hits beach renowned as Aussie favourite 10-tonne find on Aussie beach highlights devastating issue "People on the mainland can play a powerful role in addressing marine debris on remote islands like Christmas Island by supporting action at both individual and systemic levels," Heid said. "Choosing products with less plastic, avoiding single-use items, and supporting businesses with sustainable packaging helps reduce the demand for unnecessary plastic. Getting involved in local clean-ups and citizen science programs—like the Australian Marine Debris Initiative—contributes valuable data that drives national and global policy change." Online, Australians are responding to footage of the waste at Christmas Island in shock. "Wow, this is unbelievably shocking and disgusting that this is what washes up," a woman wrote. "Oh my goodness. How awful," another said. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Associated Press
03-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Qlean Declares War on Liquid Laundry: The Bioenzyme Revolution Begins
Revolutionary Laundry Sheets Powered by Bioenzymes Eliminate Plastic Waste and Toxic Chemicals, Proving the Future of Clean Isn't Liquid WEST PARK, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / July 2, 2025 / The laundry aisle is broken - plastic jugs, synthetic chemicals, and outdated formulas have dominated for too long. Qlean isn't here to tweak the system - we're here to replace Detergent Sheet - Eco-Friendly and Toxic-Free Detergent Sheets Our bioenzyme-powered laundry sheets offer a radically different solution. No plastic, no water weight, no toxic residue. Just pure, concentrated cleaning power that works with your clothes and the planet - not against them. The Power of Bioenzymes Bioenzymes are natural, molecular-level cleaners that target specific stains and odors with precision. Unlike harsh detergents that rely on synthetic surfactants and fragrances, our formula breaks down dirt naturally and biodegrades completely. The result? Truly clean clothes with no synthetic film, no irritation, and no compromises. Waste-Free by Design Each Qlean sheet is ultra-light and dissolves entirely in any water temperature. A single sheet replaces an entire cup of liquid detergent. Our packaging is fully biodegradable, compostable, and plastic-free. This isn't just an upgrade - it's a revolution. U.S. households generate over 700 million plastic detergent containers annually. Qlean replaces those jugs with one compact box, reducing shipping emissions by 94% and eliminating plastic waste entirely. Cleaner Clothes, Lower Cost Qlean outperforms premium detergents at a lower cost per load. You're not paying for water, plastic or gimmicks - just high-performance, eco-friendly clean. And the convenience? Unmatched. No heavy bottles, no spills, no measuring. TSA-approved for travel, perfect for small spaces, and easy for everyday life. The New Standard The liquid detergent industry was built on environmental damage and consumer compromise. Qlean is proving there's a better way - smarter, cleaner, and sustainable. This isn't the future someday. It's happening now. The future of laundry isn't liquid. It's Qlean. Learn more at About Qlean Qlean creates next-generation laundry care using bioenzyme technology and zero-waste design. With powerful stain-fighting sheets and biodegradable packaging, Qlean delivers premium results with none of the environmental cost. Visit to join the clean revolution. Contact Information Brian Busching Director [email protected] (619) 564-2800 SOURCE: Qlean press release
Zawya
15-06-2025
- General
- Zawya
Eritrea: Workshop on Reducing Environmental Pollution
A workshop aimed at addressing health problems affecting humans and livestock, as well as environmental pollution caused by unsafe waste management and plastic use, was conducted on 13 June in Barentu, Gash Barka Region. Mr. Abubeker Osman, Director General of Agriculture and Land in the region, stated that although directives have been issued at the national level to mitigate the impact of plastic use on the environment, plastic products are still widely used by the public. He noted that the workshop aimed to review the measures taken so far and to discuss further actions needed to ensure environmental safety. Mr. Abraha Gebreamlak, head of the Agriculture branch, provided an extensive briefing on environmental resources, their benefits, and the challenges related to solid and liquid waste management. He highlighted the coordinated efforts in areas such as Teseney and Akordet, where administrations and communities are working together to eliminate hazardous wastes, including plastic. He stressed the need to implement the existing national guidelines. Ambassador Mahmud Ali Hirui, Governor of the region, emphasized that environmental pollution caused by plastic is becoming increasingly alarming. He called for the establishment of a committee involving all administrations and relevant institutions to assess current waste management practices and plastic use, and to propose concrete measures for improvement. Participants conducted extensive discussions on the issues raised during the workshop and adopted various recommendations. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.
Hospitality Net
05-06-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Radisson Hotel Group builds on sustainability commitment with closed loop approach to amenities recycling
Radisson Hotel Group continues to drive its responsible business agenda with an innovative closed loop recycling approach to hotel bulk liquid amenities in key markets including India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This wide-scale initiative is part of the Group's broader commitment to reducing single-use plastic waste, supporting a circular and local economy, and providing sustainable stays to guests. The initiative ensures that used bulk amenity bottles are collected, the remaining liquids extracted and recycled, as well as that the packaging is recycled and repurposed. This circular economy approach contributes not only to a more sustainable supply chain but also significantly reduces plastic pollution. In India for example, the closed loop system was established through a network of eleven recycling partners across the country that take amenities waste from hotels. Materials are then sorted, cleaned, recycled and turned into raw materials. The process is fully documented and recorded in an audit and regular reporting, ensuring traceability of the closed loop approach. Additionally, as part of the Group's commitment to Hotel Sustainability Basics, Radisson Hotel Group is replacing single use bathroom amenities with bulk amenity dispensers, with already 91% of hotels using soap dispensers in public washrooms. The Group aims to achieve the roll-out of reusable soap dispensers throughout its portfolio by the end of 2025. The initiative is expected to eliminate 57 million miniature amenity bottles annually and reduce the related plastic use by nearly 500 tons. Next to that, Radisson Hotel Group has already eliminated single-use plastic from all dry bathroom amenities, replacing them with environmentally responsible alternatives. Dry amenities are packaged with innovative materials designed to reduce plastic use. Stone paper – crafted from calcium carbonate bonded with high-density polyethylene resin – has replaced cellulose-based paper and is combined with soybean oil ink used for printing. FSC Cardboard, sourced from recycling and responsibly managed forests, is used for packaging, while the dry amenities themselves use PSM materials made with starch from plants including corn and potatoes combined with plastic fillers like polypropylene. This step aligns with the Group's ongoing efforts to minimize its environmental footprint while maintaining premium 'Yes I Can' service. We are committed to leading sustainability in the industry and reducing single use plastic waste across our operations, said Inge Huijbrechts, Chief Sustainability and Security Officer, at Radisson Hotel Group. We make it easy for guests to experience sustainable stays, expressed by the verification on Hotel Sustainability Basics or a recognized eco-label certification. After food & beverage, amenities are the biggest portion of a typical hotel's scope 3 emissions. With the closed loop recycling and the dry amenities free of single-use plastic, we work at substantially reducing these scope 3 emissions, en route to our Net Zero 2050 target. The launch of the responsible bathroom amenities is part of Radisson Hotel Group's broader sustainability strategy and responds to guest aspirations: a recent survey reported that 75% of global travelers want more sustainable travel choices and 43% believe travel service providers hold the key to mitigating the environmental impact of travel. More widely, the Group is turning objectives into policies, offering Sustainable Stays through Hotel Sustainability Basics and eco-labels; and encouraging guests to travel more responsibly. Watch here the video:
South China Morning Post
04-06-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Japan scientists develop plastic that dissolves in seawater as ocean pollution solution
Researchers in Japan have developed a plastic that dissolves in seawater within hours, offering up a potential solution for a modern-day scourge polluting oceans and harming wildlife. While scientists have long experimented with biodegradable plastics, researchers from the Riken Centre for Emergent Matter Science and the University of Tokyo say their new material breaks down much more quickly and leaves no residual trace. At a lab in Wako city near Tokyo, the team demonstrated a small piece of plastic vanishing in a container of salt water after it was stirred for about an hour. A researcher shows a sample of ocean-degradable plastic being immersed in saltwater at the Riken Centre for Emergent Matter Science. Photo: Reuters While the team has not yet detailed any plans for commercialisation, project lead Takuzo Aida said their research had attracted significant interest, including from those in the packaging sector. Scientists worldwide are racing to develop innovative solutions to the growing plastic waste crisis, an effort championed by awareness campaigns such as World Environment Day, which takes place on Thursday this year. 01:59 Trump signs order on plastic drinking straws, says paper ones 'explode' Trump signs order on plastic drinking straws, says paper ones 'explode' Plastic pollution is set to triple by 2040, the UN Environment Programme has predicted, adding 23 million to 37 million tonnes of waste into the world's oceans each year.
