Plastic
The popular western suburb foreshore which topped WA’s ‘rubbish in the river’ survey
The section of Swan River averaged 151 pieces of plastic per square metre along the shore.
- by Peter de Kruijff
Latest
The ‘superworms’ that might save us from plastic pollution
Scientists have discovered “superworms” can eat plastic, but the worms themselves are not the thing the scientists find the most interesting.
- by Stuart Layt
NSW bins the bag in its push to phase out ‘problematic plastics’
The prohibition of lightweight plastic bags will be followed by broader bans of single-use plastic products in November.
- by Angus Dalton
What goes around: 100 firms are making plastics a global problem
As international and regional organisations seem to be getting more ambitious in curtailing plastic pollution, the corporate sector looks to be lagging.
- by J.J. Rose
Plastic-stuffed seabirds sound alarm call for Australian ocean health
Seabirds are sending us an urgent message about the health of the Australia’s oceans but we’re not listening, say marine scientists.
- by Miki Perkins
WA project gives new view of plastic dump sites in world’s worst ocean polluters
A new global tool aims to help governments tackle the leakage of plastic into the sea, taking regularly updated satellite vision to create a high-resolution map.
- by Peter de Kruijff
Queensland research base to study impact of microplastics on human health
University of Queensland researchers will investigate exactly what effect microplastics are having on human health, with a new lab set up in partnership with the Minderoo Foundation.
- by Stuart Layt
Dropped masks threaten to tangle in the happy feet of Phillip Island’s penguins
Almost 230 abandoned facemasks were found by Phillip Island rangers in January, posing a threat to the island’s favourite inhabitants.
- by Miki Perkins
Perth council helps pay for period cups to urge women to ditch tampons
For decades disposable sanitary products have dominated the supermarket shelves, but a Perth council is offering a financial incentive for women to ditch single use period products in favour of reusable ones.
- by Sarah Brookes
Explainer
Pollution
Why is there still so much plastic in the world – and what could replace it?
Plastic is great until you need to get rid of it. Why has it taken over the world, how big a problem is it – and what can we do about it?
- by Sherryn Groch
‘Very high’ levels of microplastic waste at some of Sydney’s most popular beaches
There were more than 4000 microplastics per square metre on average at the most poorly rated of Sydney’s harbour beaches, data collected by citizen scientists shows. Use our interactive map to check your local waterways.
- by Andrew Taylor