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India highlights plastic phase-out resolution

Some developing nations including India and China opposed curbing primary polymer production, seeking instead to focus on plastic waste management.

Shopkeepers using plastic bags after banning plastics at Bandra in Mumbai, India, on Wednesday , June 27, 2018. (/HT Photo)
Published on May 02, 2025 08:28 AM IST
ByJayashree Nandi, New Delhi

No small PET water bottles from June 1 in Himachal

So come June 1, you will not get polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles (up to 500 ml) at Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) hotels or private hotels as well as all indoor official meetings, conferences, and events organised by the government departments, Boards, Corporations and other state government organisations.

To tackle plastic pollution and promote sustainable practices, the Himachal government makes car dustbins mandatory from April 29 and bans small pet bottles from June 1. (HT File)
Published on Apr 24, 2025 06:16 AM IST
By, Shimla

Your clothes are shedding bits of plastic. Here’s what people are doing about it

Plastic fibers are prevalent in clothing, shedding millions during laundry and polluting waterways. Solutions include washing less, using cold water, and more.

A Cora Ball, a laundry ball that can be tossed into the washer to cut down on clothes banging into each other, is tossed into the washing machine. (AP)
Updated on Apr 23, 2025 03:56 PM IST
AP | | Posted by Krishna Priya Pallavi

Your favourite chewing gum might be hiding tiny plastic pieces, say scientists

A study shows chewing gum could release up to 600 microplastic fragments, raising awareness of ingestion and environmental impact.

Chewing gum may release microplastics, raising concerns about pollution and health effects, researchers warn. (Pixabay)
Published on Mar 26, 2025 02:05 PM IST
AFP | | Posted by Akanksha Agnihotri

Cause and Effect: Importance of the humble straw in the fight against pollution

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development estimates that around 380 MT of plastic waste is produced globally each year.

US President Donald Trump on February 7 criticised paper straws, vowing
Updated on Mar 10, 2025 12:02 PM IST
ByTannu Jain

Trump says he'll sign executive order to reverse Biden's paper straws initiative

Donald Trump says he will sign an executive order, reversing Joe Biden's initiative to push paper straws 

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (not pictured) at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 7, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura(REUTERS)
Published on Feb 07, 2025 11:27 PM IST
ByArya Vaishnavi

Study finds 4-5 paper clips worth of microplastics in human brain tissue

Study reveals alarming accumulation of microplastics in human brains, especially in dementia patients, raising health concerns.

Plastic pollution now a human health crisis, study warns of brain impact.
Published on Feb 06, 2025 12:24 PM IST

'Forever chemicals’: The new-age Pandora’s Box

This article KS Uplabdh Gopal, associate fellow, Health Initiative, Observer Research Foundation (ORF) New Delhi

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, less than 5mm in size, formed from the breakdown of larger plastics or produced for industrial use. (HT PHOTO)
Published on Feb 06, 2025 10:52 AM IST

Doctors being trained to tackle health issues due to excessive microplastic use

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, less than 5mm in size, formed from the breakdown of larger plastics or produced for industrial use.

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, less than 5mm in size, formed from the breakdown of larger plastics or produced for industrial use. (HT PHOTO)(HT Print)
Updated on Dec 26, 2024 05:06 AM IST

Hidden dangers of tea bags: Scientists warn of huge amounts of microplastics

Every sip counts! Tea bags could be exposing tea drinkers to billions of nanoplastics per sip, according to recent research.

Commercial tea bags release millions of microplastics when in use. (Representative pic: Freepik)
Published on Dec 25, 2024 12:10 PM IST

Plastic production to hit 1.1 billion tons by 2050: Experts warn of health risks

According to study microplastics found in everyday products and environment are associated with numerous health risks, including infertility and colon cancer. 

Microplastics found in human body raise alarms over health risks.(Unsplash)
Updated on Dec 23, 2024 11:33 AM IST

‘We’re using plastic wrong’: Meet the man who coined the term microplastics

‘This is an environmental challenge we can solve,’ says Richard Thompson, who has been studying these tiny fragments for 20 years.

 (Photo courtesy University of Plymouth)
Updated on Dec 21, 2024 07:05 PM IST
ByNatasha Rego

Paying with plastic: How microplastics are changing our world

The term was coined 20 years ago, but the tiny flakes have been around for much longer. Are they in your salt and sugar? Can you minimise exposure? Take a look.

 (Adobe Firefly)
Updated on Dec 21, 2024 11:31 PM IST
ByNatasha Rego

Brazil heron takes flight after plastic cup removed from throat | Photos

Veterinarians rescued a heron in Brazil after removing a plastic cup blocking its throat. The incident raised awareness about pollution's effects on wildlife.

A heron with a plastic cup stuck through its throat stands on the banks of Morto river, in Rio de Janeiro.(Reuters)
Published on Dec 16, 2024 11:01 AM IST
Reuters |

Nations fail to agree on plastic-pollution treaty; committee to meet next year

This was the 5th meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, which has been working on the treat since 2022.

Committee chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso during the fifth session of the INC in Busan.(AP)
Published on Dec 01, 2024 10:39 PM IST
PTI |

Draft text for binding plastic pollution treaty released

The treaty is seen as crucial for addressing fossil fuel usage globally, as plastics primarily derive from fossil materials.

The treaty is seen as crucial for addressing fossil fuel usage globally, as plastics primarily derive from fossil materials. (PTI)
Updated on Nov 30, 2024 07:06 AM IST
ByJayashree Nandi, New Delhi

Draft text gives peek into global plastic pollution treaty shaping up in Busan

On day 5 of the fifth session of the INC5, the negotiations in Busan have been marred by polarised views on plastic production; a life cycle approach and finance

The text has a number of options including a “no article” option for scope of the instrument. (Jyoti Mathur-Filipp | Official X account)
Updated on Nov 29, 2024 02:04 PM IST
ByJayashree Nandi

India seeks ‘scope’, ‘principles’ of treaty on plastic phase-out

India has called upon UN member states to develop a clear scope and principle for the new legally binding instrument on phasing out plastic pollution.

The Indian delegation said the new instrument must draw the mandate on scope from the resolution adopted by fifth session of United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in 2022, in order to address plastic pollution.(HT Print)
Updated on Nov 29, 2024 04:54 AM IST
ByJayashree Nandi, New Delhi

220+ industry lobbyists shape plastic pollution treaty talks, raising concerns

Over 99% of plastic is made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels, and the fossil fuel and plastic industries are deeply connected

Climate activists march on a street to demand stronger global commitments to fight plastic waste at the upcoming fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5), in Busan, South Korea, on Monday. (REUTERS)
Updated on Nov 27, 2024 11:45 PM IST
ByJayashree Nandi

India suggests funding proposal for plastic phase-out

India’s proposal suggests that parties under the agreement, shall establish a mechanism for providing financial and technical assistance, including the transfer of technologies to developing countries from developed countries.

India’s proposal suggests that parties under the agreement, shall establish a mechanism for providing financial and technical assistance, including the transfer of technologies to developing countries from developed countries. (AFP PHOTO)
Updated on Nov 27, 2024 05:34 AM IST
ByJayashree Nandi, New Delhi

UN talks on treaty to curb plastic pollution open in Busan

Plastic waste has accumulated to over 10 billion tonnes since the 1950s, filling landfills and clogging sewage systems, streams and rivers, ending up in the ocean

Participants attend at the opening ceremony of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution in Busan, South Korea, on Monday. (AP)
Published on Nov 25, 2024 09:49 PM IST
ByJayashree Nandi

MCG to target single-use plastic across Gurugram

MCG will deploy four specialised teams across city zones to identify and penalise those using, storing, or selling banned plastic items

MCG commissioner Ashok Kumar Garg at the meeting with sanitation department officials on Wednesday (HT Photo)
Updated on Nov 14, 2024 06:26 AM IST

Diwali deadline for admin to make Ggm a cleaner city: Rao Narbir Singh

The newly-inducted minister indicated that those unwilling to perform their duties should either shape up or face action. He set a deadline for improvement by Diwali, urging officials to focus on waste management, controlling plastic pollution, and ensuring that the city remains free from encroachments and traffic jams

Haryana cabinet minister Rao Narbir Singh at a meeting along with Gurugram deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav and city police chief Vikas Arora in Gurugram on Friday. (HT PHOTO)
Updated on Oct 20, 2024 05:58 AM IST

India’s plastic crisis: The hidden emissions choking the country

With emissions spiralling and health impacts mounting, the time for half-measures is over, say experts; India must confront the scale of its plastic pollution

Mumbai, India. July 26, 2024: Plastic and other waste on Mahim beach after high tides. Throughout the monsoon season, trash thrown into the sea is repeatedly washed ashore by waves from the Arabian Sea. July 26, 2024. (Photo by Raju Shinde/HT Photo)
Published on Sep 12, 2024 06:14 PM IST

India emerges as the largest plastic polluter globally

India is the top contributor of plastic waste and lack of solid waste management is the problem.

Waste collection is a major problem in India.(Manvender Vashist/PTI Photo)
Published on Sep 05, 2024 03:50 PM IST

Apex court raises alarm over plastic waste in water bodies

A bench of justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti emphasised that without a unified effort from authorities and the cooperation of the public, any attempts to address illegal constructions and improve water quality in rivers, including the Ganga, will remain “illusory.”

A bench of justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti emphasised that without a unified effort from authorities and the cooperation of the public, any attempts to address illegal constructions and improve water quality in rivers, including the Ganga, will remain “illusory.” (Getty Images)
Updated on Aug 07, 2024 09:36 AM IST

Pollution causing significant environmental degradation, harming aquatic life: SC

The court said any attempts to address illegal constructions and improve water quality in rivers, including the Ganga, will remain “illusory” without a unified effort

The Supreme Court. (HT PHOTO)
Published on Aug 06, 2024 04:09 PM IST

Mongolians fight plastic pollution in vast steppe

Mongolians fight plastic pollution in vast steppe

Mongolians fight plastic pollution in vast steppe
Published on Jul 26, 2024 10:58 AM IST
AFP |

Bridge to Busan: The ultimate session in Busan needs to reflect ambition

The global plastics treaty requires significant ambition to meet its intended goals, but the path to Busan is fraught with challenges

The prominence of ‘plastic’, a material that was once invented for convenience and utility, has now shifted from innovation to pollution (pic for representation)
Updated on Jun 11, 2024 12:13 AM IST

Will microbes bring an end to the plastic disaster? The answer could be X-32

Ongoing lab studies were promising enough for Colossal Biosciences to support a Harvard team to work towards developing X-32 to address the plastics crisis.

The world produces some 430 million tonnes of plastic per year. (pic for representation)
Published on May 07, 2024 08:00 AM IST
ByJayashree Nandi
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