Plastic
The lifecycle of plastics, a modern wonder that is choking the planet
Recycling is billed as the holy grail of a circular economy, but experts agree: we can’t recycle our way out of the plastics crisis we’re creating.
- Bianca Hall and Illustrations by Matt Willis
Latest
US and Saudi Arabia try to stymie global plastics deal
At least 234 fossil fuel and chemical industry lobbyists are attending the discussions on reducing plastic waste, outnumbering countries represented.
- Bianca Hall
Scientists tested their homes and cars. They were inhaling 68,000 microplastics every day
The researchers said their results show tiny microplastic particles at 100-times greater levels than previously thought.
- Angus Dalton
Apocalyptic comedy recreates Brisbane landmarks, and destroys them
La Boite’s new show has well-loved buildings demolished at a rate that would shock Joh Bjelke-Petersen.
- Nick Dent
Those collectors rummaging through our bins? Our recycling system relies on them
The Return and Earn scheme has dramatically cut litter while boosting recycling, but are the environmental benefits coming at a social cost?
- Cindy Yin and Caitlin Fitzsimmons
More young people are getting colon cancer. Here is what you can do to protect yourself
Australia has the highest reported rates in the world of colon cancer in younger people. Understanding the possible causes is the first step towards dealing with this deadly disease.
- Paula Goodyer
Forrest calls for global fishing overhaul as Australia backs major treaties at UN summit
The mining billionaire says “the ocean is in freefall” following a UN conference, where Australia backed a global commitment to marine protection and ending plastic pollution.
- Alex Condon
- Exclusive
- Waste
Australian container return schemes are a booming good news story
Unlike efforts to recycle soft plastics, container deposit schemes have been a success across Australia, with billions of bottles recycled.
- Nick O'Malley and Bianca Hall
- Exclusive
- Pollution
The grime balls were a symptom of an ailing sewerage network. The cure could be to drink recycled water
Sydney Water is proposing to add purified recycled drinking water – effluent that has been highly treated back to drinking standard – to Sydney’s tap water supply.
- Caitlin Fitzsimmons
‘Forever chemicals’ found in blood of 97 per cent of Victorians
Synthetic chemicals called PFAS have been detected in the blood of almost all Australians, in growing concentrations with age. The health impacts are unknown.
- Adam Carey