In China, 2020 was bid farewell with a flurry of fireworks and the scratching off of 200 million metric tonnes of plastic straws from the nation’s pollution inventory.
Topic: Plastic pollution
EU bans exporting unsorted plastic waste to poorer countries
The European Union’s executive branch announced new rules for plastic waste—including a ban on some exports to poorer countries—that will take effect on January 1.
World’s 3rd-largest grocery chain eliminates 20 million single-use plastic wrappings
The UK’s Tesco has switched to recycled cardboard for packaging of holiday lights, crackers, pudding, cards, and more.
Ocean Cleanup launches plan to clean up plastic in the world’s most polluted rivers
The company is now preparing to scale up production of the Interceptor as it tries to reach its stated goal of cleaning up the world’s 1000 most polluting rivers.
Find holidays gifts from plastic-conscious brands
Products featured in this gift guide have been vetted by the Lonely Whale team as products that are gentle on the ocean. Each comes from a business that is committed to a future with clean seas.
Chinese island province of Hainan bans all disposable plastics
Plastic polymer food containers, forks, drink cups, knives, straws, plastic bags, packaging bags, and other items that are not biodegradable are no longer allowed to be sold at major establishments like supermarkets, hospitals, government and state-owned buildings like schools, and tourist attractions.
Swap our shampoo in a bottle for bar shampoo
One example: Trader Joe’s has a Peppermint & Tea Tree Shampoo Bar. Instead of a liquid, packaged in a plastic bottle, this is just like a bar of soap. One fewer plastic bottle in the landfill or in the ocean!
New York City begins enforcing its plastic bag ban
The statewide ban on the highly polluting items actually went into effect March 1. But enforcement, which was supposed to start a month later, was delayed by the one-two punch of a lawsuit and the coronavirus pandemic, NY1 reported.
3 major UK retailers are banning glitter this Christmas over environmental concerns
Morrisons, Waitrose and John Lewis have all announced that their store brand holiday products will be glitter free for 2020, BBC News reported. The festive coating and arts-and-crafts staple is actually another type of microplastic.
Canada to ban single-use plastic bags, straws, and cutlery in 2021
Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change announced the next steps in the government’s plan to achieve zero plastic waste by 2030, including a ban on single-use plastic items such as plastic checkout bags, straws, stir sticks, six-pack rings, cutlery, and more next year.