Latest news with #AidanCharron
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The two biggest sources of microplastic pollution are not bottles or straws
A report in the Lancet warned that there are now eight billion tonnes of plastic polluting the Earth. But what are the biggest causes? The world is in a "plastics crisis" amid concerns plastic production has risen more than 200 times since 1950 and will triple again by 2060, a report has warned. The report, published in the Lancet this week, said there are now eight billion tonnes of plastic pollution, and less than 10% of it is recycled, with the health costs of plastic pollution coming to $1.5 trillion (£1.13tn) a year. The report comes as the negotiations around the first-ever global plastics treaty are underway, with 100 countries backing a cap on plastic production, although oil producers such as Russia and Saudi Arabia have slowed negotiations. But what are the biggest sources of plastic pollution? While much discussion and legislation has focused on single-use plastics such as plastic bottles, the two leading sources of plastic pollution come from sources that are not single-use plastics at all. Yahoo News spoke to biologist Aidan Charron, associate director of Earth Day, about what the biggest sources of plastic pollution are and why it is an issue. What are the two biggest sources of plastic pollution? A report by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature evaluated the sources of all microplastics found in the ocean. The 2017 report found that two sources were overwhelmingly the largest origins of microplastics – synthetic clothing (including polyester) and car tyres. Microplastics come off synthetic fibres such as polyester in the wash, meaning clothing accounts for 35% of all plastic pollution. Tyre abrasion, where small particles come off tyres while driving, particularly when cars are braking or cornering, means that tyres account for 28% of microplastics (while tyres are made of rubber, this is often mixed with synthetic polymers). The huge production of both tyres and clothing mean that they remain the top sources of microplastics today, says Earth Day's Charron, a biologist. Charron told Yahoo News: "Every time you drive your car, you are almost certainly inhaling microplastics and tiny plastic fibres because your car is stuffed with plastic parts. Plus, our cars and trucks all have tyres, and it has been estimated that 28% of all microplastics in the environment are shed from tyres alone. "These plastic fibres infect our soil, air and waterways, so we inhale them but also eat them unknowingly as they are in the food chain. "When you eat shellfish that have eaten plastic fibres, you are essentially eating them too. "Another way that we involuntarily load up on plastics is by inhaling them from the air; when we wear nylon or polyester clothing, which are plastic textiles, we inhale the tiny plastic fibers they shed. Or if we sleep on synthetic sheets, walk on synthetic carpets and rugs or use drapes and curtains made from plastic textiles.' Why are microplastics from tyres and clothes a problem? Microplastics from clothes and car tyres are all around us, and we inhale microplastics from clothing all the time in our homes, Charron said. Even when not directly inhaled, micro and nanoplastics accumulate in household dust and are inhaled from that. Outside of the home, microplastics leach into waterways, carried by the wind and rivers. Charron said: "Outside of the home, tyre microplastics, for example, are carried by the wind and poison our waterways. "Every intricate natural system that we rely on is essentially carrying and moving these microscopic fibres around the environment so that they now permeate every inch of the planet." How can microplastics harm people? The Lancet report described plastic as a global threat to health, which already costs $1.5 trillion (£1.13tn) a year. The report said: 'Plastics cause disease and death from infancy to old age and are responsible for health-related economic losses exceeding $1.5 trillion annually.' Part of the problem is not simply plastic itself, but the chemicals it is mixed with, Charron explained. 'Plastics are made from fossil fuel, oil and a toxic mix of plastic chemicals, like bisphenols, phthalates and so-called 'forever chemicals', known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl), which are added to oil to create different types of plastics,' he said. "They can make plastics more flexible or flame-resistant or smell nice. "All these plastics, be they particulates or the chemicals themselves, are harmful to human health in a variety of different ways, the most prevalent way is through endocrine disruption. "Endocrine disruption is when your hormones are confused because of harmful chemicals from plastics disrupting the normal function of your hormones. "This endocrine disruption can lead to increased cancer rates, and microplastics and their additive chemicals are linked to higher rates of attention deficit disorder, infertility, Alzheimer's and even miscarriage, among many other conditions." What is being done to curb plastic pollution in Britain? A new Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers will see consumers paid to return bottles, with pickup points at supermarkets and will come into force in 2027. People will be paid to recycle plastic and metal bottles and cans under a new bottle-return scheme set up, with recycling points at major supermarkets. Members of the public pay a deposit on drinks bottles, which is then refunded when bottles are turned in for recycling. The government is also consulting on further bans on single-use plastics, including plates, cutlery and polystyrene cups. The government's Simpler Recycling scheme (in force for businesses from 2025 and households from 2026) aims to ensure there is no 'postcode lottery' around plastic recycling. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The two biggest sources of microplastic pollution are not bottles or straws
A report in the Lancet warned that there are now eight billion tonnes of plastic polluting the Earth. But what are the biggest causes? The world is in a "plastics crisis" amid concerns plastic production has risen more than 200 times since 1950 and will triple again by 2060, a report has warned. The report, published in the Lancet this week, said there are now eight billion tonnes of plastic pollution, and less than 10% of it is recycled, with the health costs of plastic pollution coming to $1.5 trillion (£1.13tn) a year. The report comes as the negotiations around the first-ever global plastics treaty are underway, with 100 countries backing a cap on plastic production, although oil producers such as Russia and Saudi Arabia have slowed negotiations. But what are the biggest sources of plastic pollution? While much discussion and legislation has focused on single-use plastics such as plastic bottles, the two leading sources of plastic pollution come from sources that are not single-use plastics at all. Yahoo News spoke to biologist Aidan Charron, associate director of Earth Day, about what the biggest sources of plastic pollution are and why it is an issue. What are the two biggest sources of plastic pollution? A report by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature evaluated the sources of all microplastics found in the ocean. The 2017 report found that two sources were overwhelmingly the largest origins of microplastics – synthetic clothing (including polyester) and car tyres. Microplastics come off synthetic fibres such as polyester in the wash, meaning clothing accounts for 35% of all plastic pollution. Tyre abrasion, where small particles come off tyres while driving, particularly when cars are braking or cornering, means that tyres account for 28% of microplastics (while tyres are made of rubber, this is often mixed with synthetic polymers). The huge production of both tyres and clothing mean that they remain the top sources of microplastics today, says Earth Day's Charron, a biologist. Charron told Yahoo News: "Every time you drive your car, you are almost certainly inhaling microplastics and tiny plastic fibres because your car is stuffed with plastic parts. Plus, our cars and trucks all have tyres, and it has been estimated that 28% of all microplastics in the environment are shed from tyres alone. "These plastic fibres infect our soil, air and waterways, so we inhale them but also eat them unknowingly as they are in the food chain. "When you eat shellfish that have eaten plastic fibres, you are essentially eating them too. "Another way that we involuntarily load up on plastics is by inhaling them from the air; when we wear nylon or polyester clothing, which are plastic textiles, we inhale the tiny plastic fibers they shed. Or if we sleep on synthetic sheets, walk on synthetic carpets and rugs or use drapes and curtains made from plastic textiles.' Why are microplastics from tyres and clothes a problem? Microplastics from clothes and car tyres are all around us, and we inhale microplastics from clothing all the time in our homes, Charron said. Even when not directly inhaled, micro and nanoplastics accumulate in household dust and are inhaled from that. Outside of the home, microplastics leach into waterways, carried by the wind and rivers. Charron said: "Outside of the home, tyre microplastics, for example, are carried by the wind and poison our waterways. "Every intricate natural system that we rely on is essentially carrying and moving these microscopic fibres around the environment so that they now permeate every inch of the planet." How can microplastics harm people? The Lancet report described plastic as a global threat to health, which already costs $1.5 trillion (£1.13tn) a year. The report said: 'Plastics cause disease and death from infancy to old age and are responsible for health-related economic losses exceeding $1.5 trillion annually.' Part of the problem is not simply plastic itself, but the chemicals it is mixed with, Charron explained. 'Plastics are made from fossil fuel, oil and a toxic mix of plastic chemicals, like bisphenols, phthalates and so-called 'forever chemicals', known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl), which are added to oil to create different types of plastics,' he said. "They can make plastics more flexible or flame-resistant or smell nice. "All these plastics, be they particulates or the chemicals themselves, are harmful to human health in a variety of different ways, the most prevalent way is through endocrine disruption. "Endocrine disruption is when your hormones are confused because of harmful chemicals from plastics disrupting the normal function of your hormones. "This endocrine disruption can lead to increased cancer rates, and microplastics and their additive chemicals are linked to higher rates of attention deficit disorder, infertility, Alzheimer's and even miscarriage, among many other conditions." What is being done to curb plastic pollution in Britain? A new Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers will see consumers paid to return bottles, with pickup points at supermarkets and will come into force in 2027. People will be paid to recycle plastic and metal bottles and cans under a new bottle-return scheme set up, with recycling points at major supermarkets. Members of the public pay a deposit on drinks bottles, which is then refunded when bottles are turned in for recycling. The government is also consulting on further bans on single-use plastics, including plates, cutlery and polystyrene cups. The government's Simpler Recycling scheme (in force for businesses from 2025 and households from 2026) aims to ensure there is no 'postcode lottery' around plastic recycling.
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The two biggest sources of microplastic pollution are not bottles or straws
A report in the Lancet warned that there are now eight billion tonnes of plastic polluting the Earth. But what are the biggest causes? The world is in a "plastics crisis" amid concerns plastic production has risen more than 200 times since 1950 and will triple again by 2060, a report has warned. The report, published in the Lancet this week, said there are now eight billion tonnes of plastic pollution, and less than 10% of it is recycled, with the health costs of plastic pollution coming to $1.5 trillion (£1.13tn) a year. The report comes as the negotiations around the first-ever global plastics treaty are underway, with 100 countries backing a cap on plastic production, although oil producers such as Russia and Saudi Arabia have slowed negotiations. But what are the biggest sources of plastic pollution? While much discussion and legislation has focused on single-use plastics such as plastic bottles, the two leading sources of plastic pollution come from sources that are not single-use plastics at all. Yahoo News spoke to biologist Aidan Charron, associate director of Earth Day, about what the biggest sources of plastic pollution are and why it is an issue. What are the two biggest sources of plastic pollution? A report by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature evaluated the sources of all microplastics found in the ocean. The 2017 report found that two sources were overwhelmingly the largest origins of microplastics – synthetic clothing (including polyester) and car tyres. Microplastics come off synthetic fibres such as polyester in the wash, meaning clothing accounts for 35% of all plastic pollution. Tyre abrasion, where small particles come off tyres while driving, particularly when cars are braking or cornering, means that tyres account for 28% of microplastics (while tyres are made of rubber, this is often mixed with synthetic polymers). The huge production of both tyres and clothing mean that they remain the top sources of microplastics today, says Earth Day's Charron, a biologist. Charron told Yahoo News: "Every time you drive your car, you are almost certainly inhaling microplastics and tiny plastic fibres because your car is stuffed with plastic parts. Plus, our cars and trucks all have tyres, and it has been estimated that 28% of all microplastics in the environment are shed from tyres alone. "These plastic fibres infect our soil, air and waterways, so we inhale them but also eat them unknowingly as they are in the food chain. "When you eat shellfish that have eaten plastic fibres, you are essentially eating them too. "Another way that we involuntarily load up on plastics is by inhaling them from the air; when we wear nylon or polyester clothing, which are plastic textiles, we inhale the tiny plastic fibers they shed. Or if we sleep on synthetic sheets, walk on synthetic carpets and rugs or use drapes and curtains made from plastic textiles.' Why are microplastics from tyres and clothes a problem? Microplastics from clothes and car tyres are all around us, and we inhale microplastics from clothing all the time in our homes, Charron said. Even when not directly inhaled, micro and nanoplastics accumulate in household dust and are inhaled from that. Outside of the home, microplastics leach into waterways, carried by the wind and rivers. Charron said: "Outside of the home, tyre microplastics, for example, are carried by the wind and poison our waterways. "Every intricate natural system that we rely on is essentially carrying and moving these microscopic fibres around the environment so that they now permeate every inch of the planet." How can microplastics harm people? The Lancet report described plastic as a global threat to health, which already costs $1.5 trillion (£1.13tn) a year. The report said: 'Plastics cause disease and death from infancy to old age and are responsible for health-related economic losses exceeding $1.5 trillion annually.' Part of the problem is not simply plastic itself, but the chemicals it is mixed with, Charron explained. 'Plastics are made from fossil fuel, oil and a toxic mix of plastic chemicals, like bisphenols, phthalates and so-called 'forever chemicals', known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl), which are added to oil to create different types of plastics,' he said. "They can make plastics more flexible or flame-resistant or smell nice. "All these plastics, be they particulates or the chemicals themselves, are harmful to human health in a variety of different ways, the most prevalent way is through endocrine disruption. "Endocrine disruption is when your hormones are confused because of harmful chemicals from plastics disrupting the normal function of your hormones. "This endocrine disruption can lead to increased cancer rates, and microplastics and their additive chemicals are linked to higher rates of attention deficit disorder, infertility, Alzheimer's and even miscarriage, among many other conditions." What is being done to curb plastic pollution in Britain? A new Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers will see consumers paid to return bottles, with pickup points at supermarkets and will come into force in 2027. People will be paid to recycle plastic and metal bottles and cans under a new bottle-return scheme set up, with recycling points at major supermarkets. Members of the public pay a deposit on drinks bottles, which is then refunded when bottles are turned in for recycling. The government is also consulting on further bans on single-use plastics, including plates, cutlery and polystyrene cups. The government's Simpler Recycling scheme (in force for businesses from 2025 and households from 2026) aims to ensure there is no 'postcode lottery' around plastic recycling.
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The two biggest sources of microplastic pollution are not bottles or straws
A report in the Lancet warned that there are now eight billion tonnes of plastic polluting the Earth. But what are the biggest causes? A report this week has warned that the world is in a "plastics crisis", amid concerns plastic production has risen more than 200 times since 1950 and will triple again by 2060. The report, published in the Lancet, said there are now eight billion tonnes of plastic pollution, and less than 10% of it is recycled, with the health costs of plastic pollution coming to $1.5 trillion (£1.13tn) a year. The report comes as the negotiations around the first-ever global plastics treaty are underway, with 100 countries backing a cap on plastic production (although oil producers such as Russia and Saudi Arabia have slowed negotiations). But what are the biggest sources of plastic pollution? While much discussion and legislation has focused on single-use plastics such as plastic bottles, the two leading sources of plastic pollution come from sources that are not single-use plastics at all. Yahoo News spoke to biologist Aidan Charron, associate director of Earth Day, about what the biggest sources of plastic pollution are and why it is an issue. What are the two biggest sources of plastic pollution? A report by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature evaluated the sources of all microplastics found in the ocean. The 2017 report found that two sources were overwhelmingly the largest origins of microplastics - synthetic clothing (including polyester) and car tyres. Microplastics come off synthetic fibres such as polyester in the wash, meaning clothing accounts for 35% of all plastic pollution. Tyre abrasion, where small particles come off tyres while driving, particularly when cars are braking or cornering, means that tyres account for 28% of microplastics (while tyres are made of rubber, this is often mixed with synthetic polymers). The huge production of both tyres and clothing mean that they remain the top sources of microplastics today, says Earth Day's Charron, a biologist. Charron told Yahoo News: "Every time you drive your car, you are almost certainly inhaling microplastics and tiny plastic fibres because your car is stuffed with plastic parts. Plus, our cars and trucks all have tyres, and it has been estimated that 28% of all microplastics in the environment are shed from tyres alone. "These plastic fibres infect our soil, air and waterways, so we inhale them but also eat them unknowingly as they are in the food chain. "When you eat shellfish that have eaten plastic fibres, you are essentially eating them too. "Another way that we involuntarily load up on plastics is by inhaling them from the air; when we wear nylon or polyester clothing, which are plastic textiles, we inhale the tiny plastic fibers they shed. Or if we sleep on synthetic sheets, walk on synthetic carpets and rugs or use drapes and curtains made from plastic textiles.' Why are microplastics from tyres and clothes a problem? Microplastics from clothes and car tyres are all around us, and we inhale microplastics from clothing all the time in our homes, Charron said. Even when not directly inhaled, micro and nanoplastics accumulate in household dust and are inhaled from that. Outside of the home, microplastics leach into waterways, carried by the wind and rivers. Charron said: "Outside of the home, tyre microplastics, for example, are carried by the wind and poison our waterways. "Every intricate natural system that we rely on is essentially carrying and moving these microscopic fibres around the environment so that they now permeate every inch of the planet." How can microplastics harm people? The Lancet report described plastic as a global threat to health, which already costs $1.5 trillion (£1.13tn) a year. The report said: 'Plastics cause disease and death from infancy to old age and are responsible for health-related economic losses exceeding $1.5 trillion annually.' Part of the problem is not simply plastic itself, but the chemicals it is mixed with, Charron explained. Charron said: 'Plastics are made from fossil fuel, oil and a toxic mix of plastic chemicals, like Bisphenols, Phthalates and so-called 'forever chemicals', known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl), which are added to oil to create different types of plastics. "They can make plastics more flexible or flame-resistant or smell nice. "All these plastics, be they particulates or the chemicals themselves, are harmful to human health in a variety of different ways, the most prevalent way is through endocrine disruption. "Endocrine disruption is when your hormones are confused because of harmful chemicals from plastics disrupting the normal function of your hormones. "This endocrine disruption can lead to increased cancer rates, and microplastics and their additive chemicals are linked to higher rates of attention deficit disorder, infertility, Alzheimer's, and even miscarriage, among many other conditions." What is being done to curb plastic pollution in Britain? A new Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers will see consumers paid to return bottles, with pickup points at supermarkets and will come into force in 2027. British people will be paid to recycle plastic and metal bottles and cans under a new bottle-return scheme set up, with recycling points at major supermarkets. Members of the public pay a deposit on drinks bottles, which is then refunded when bottles are turned in for recycling. The government is also consulting on further bans on single-use plastics, including plates, cutlery and polystyrene cups. The Government's Simpler Recycling scheme (in force for businesses from 2025 and households from 2026) aims to ensure there is no 'postcode lottery' around plastic recycling.
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
New product packaging reduces toxic plastic waste
New product packaging reduces toxic plastic waste Emerging sustainable options to plastic packaging are made with mushrooms, seaweed, starch and wheat straw Consumer packaging dumps 19 million metric tons of plastic waste into the environment each year, according to the nonprofit advocacy group Beyond say we can do and consumers need to move 'away from plastics in packaging, towards more sustainable alternatives,' says Aidan Charron, associate director of Global Earth Day. Many businesses are heeding the call.'Some brands are looking to improve their packaging footprint because their customers are demanding it. Others are looking to meet regulations that are increasingly coming online,' says Valerie Langer, principal at Canopy, a global nonprofit that helps brands shift to next-gen ecofriendly materials. Beyond responsibly sourced paper, there are plenty of other emerging alternatives to plastic, including packaging made from mushrooms, seaweed and wheat straw. How are brands shifting their packaging strategies? To tame the scourge of plastic water bottles, Boxed Water sells hydration in (you guessed it) plant-based cartons. 'Ninety-twopercent of the carton is made up of a renewable resource' that can be regrown, says Daryn Kuipers, CEO of theMichigan-based company. Plants to the rescue 'The paper comes from certified FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) forests — forests that are being replenished,'Kuipers says. 'And every time someone posts a picture of our carton (on) their social media and shares it, we plant two trees. Over the lifetime of this company, we've already planted one-and-a-half million trees in our country's national forests.'And what about those 'next-gen' materials? Here, too, leading brands are making moves: BambooDell Technologies has pivoted to packaging made of bamboo, 'an extraordinary material chosen for its fast growth rate, exceptional fiber strength and durability,' says Oliver Campbell, director and distinguished engineer ofsustainability. 'This innovation allowed us to protect our technology products effectively while minimizingenvironmental impact,' he says. AluminumCleanCult puts its household cleaning products into refillable paper-based cartons and aluminum bottles. 'Aluminum is durable, infinitely recyclable, and easy for consumers to recycle correctly when the time comes,' says CEO and co-founder Ryan takes a similar approach with its coffee pods. 'Our original capsules are made using at least 80 percent recycled aluminum, and most Vertuo capsules are made using at least 85 percent recycled aluminum,'says Jessica Padula, the company's vice president of marketing and head of sustainability. Starch-based foamWild Alaskan Company uses Green Cell Foam by TemperPack, 'a starch-based foam insulating material,' says packaging manager Garrett foam 'does double duty when it comes to sustainability: It's made from a non-fossil fuel renewable resource, and it gives members an easy and responsible way to dispose of the material after it's done its job. Simply pour water directly on the Green Cell Foam and it quickly dissolves in the sink, trash or even a garden's compost bin.'Some next-gen solutions come with tradeoffs. 'Whether it's mushrooms, or an agricultural fiber like wheat strawor rice straw or pineapple leaves, you also have to look at things like what's happening to the soil, to make surethat we're not … actually replacing food lands with packaging agricultural lands,' Langer says. Use less movementShiki Wrap, for example, aims to replace tons of landfill-bound paper gift wrap with reusable fabric gift bags and wraps made from sustainable fabrics.'Most gift wrap is not recyclable but even the wrap that is recyclable requires and pollutes an enormous amount of water to produce and recycle,' says the brand's founder Meagan brand Patagonia likewise takes a less-is-more approach to packaging, says Jennifer Patrick, globalpackaging and branding bamboo and other materials hold much promise — 'there are some really innovative materials outthere,' she says. But for now, '100 percent recycled FSC paper is really the most environmentally friendly substrateavailable today that you can use.' That being the case, the company is trying to use less of it.'All of our gloves hang on a header card that has a cutout, and we have a loop inside the glove that hangs on,'she says. By redesigning the card dimensions, 'We were able to save about 30 percent of the materials we wereusing.'The company likewise pivoted away from using multiple paper tags on clothing, instead using a single tag with a QR code that people can scan for more product information.'Out of the gate, the first season, we saved over 175,000 pounds of paper from landfills,' she says.
