From soil to slugs to songbirds – how plastic is moving through ecosystems
Scientists have tracked microplastics in small creatures in the UK.
Primary Results
Car tyres shed a quarter of all microplastics in the environment – urgent action is needed
Tiny flakes of plastic, generated by the wear and tear of normal driving, eventually accumulate in the soil, in rivers and lakes, and even in our food.
I developed an app that uses drone footage to track plastic litter on beaches
A new mobile app helps volunteers track down plastic littered along the Irish coast.
Plastic fibres stunt growth in mussels by more than a third – here’s why this is a concern
A study shows that exposure to polyester microfibres inhibits growth in mussels.
‘Missing plastic’ in the oceans can be found below the surface
We dump more plastic into the ocean each year than we’ve been able to find. New research says much of it is lurking just below the waves.
How your pile of laundry fills the sea with plastic pollution
Tiny fibres from washing machines are being eaten by a multitude of marine species.
New material inspired by spider silk could help solve our plastic problem
The film is similar to other plastics, but it can be composted at home.
Why some ‘biodegradable’ wet wipes can be terrible for the environment
While non-plastic textiles are not as long-lived as plastics, they can last long enough to accumulate and cause damage to plants, animals and humans.
The ocean is swimming in plastic and it’s getting worse – we need connected global policies now
What groups like the G20 can do to help fix the problem.
The ocean’s plastic problem is closer to home than scientists first thought
Where does plastic waste go when it reaches the ocean? For most of it, not far.
Secondary Results
