Products without packaging: How refill stores can help solve the plastics crisis
A world without single-use plastics might seem a long way off – but the rise of zero waste retail provides a glimpse of what that world could look like.
Beyond plastic
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What is the cost of our clothes?
The recycling symbol doesn’t belong on things that aren’t recyclable
Charleston, South Carolina: A new single-use plastics ban is already decreasing pollution
Seattle: Pioneering straw ban is effective and popular
Washington, D.C.: Polystyrene ban keeps foam trash out of rivers
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America’s waste system needs an overhaul
Trash in America
Break the Waste Cycle
New Factsheet: Banning Single-Use Plastics
Did you know?
Every 15.5 hours, Americans throw out enough plastic to fill the AT&T Stadium - the largest NFL stadium in the country.
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California: Nation’s first statewide plastic bag ban cuts waste
California has been a flagship state for bans of plastic bags, first at the local level, followed by the adoption of the nation's first statewide plastic bag ban in 2014. The bans have been effective at keeping plastic bags out of rivers and off of beaches, and have made recycling more efficient.
Small solutions for a big crisis: The case of microplastics
When dealing with tiny plastic trash, small pieces of legislation can add up to make a big difference.
Bernie’s mittens and the limits of recycling plastic
One of the most widely shared images from the inauguration was of Sen. Bernie Sanders huddled in his chair, trying to stay warm in his beige parka and wool mittens. Soon we learned those mittens were lined with fleece made from recycled plastic. I’m all for finding more uses for discarded plastic. Reducing the amount of plastic we throw away is going to require a variety of approaches, including finding more ways to recycle plastic. However, while recycling is an important part of the solution, it isn’t the entire solution.
The future is now: Plastics at a turning point
The world already has more plastic than it needs, wants or can handle. And the world is starting to push back.
The power of a nickel: Bottle bills and producer responsibility
Container deposit laws fund recycling programs at the point of purchase – a surprisingly powerful idea about to have its moment.