Microplastics harm plants, threaten food and climate

Rivers are the arteries of plastic pollution 🌊 A new UC Santa Barbara study shows 3.8 million kg of debris flowing through rivers worldwide proof that if we want clean oceans, the fight starts upstream. That’s exactly why at ADB we’re developing the Pasig River Plastic Waste Digital Twin using data to map, track, and stop plastic before it reaches Manila Bay. The global findings echo what we see locally: ✅ Community action is key ✅ Waste must have value ✅ Open data accelerates solutions Pasig is just the start. These insights can scale across Asia’s rivers. 👉 Full study here: UC Santa Barbara link https://lnkd.in/gGctki4b #PasigRiver #PlasticPollution #DigitalTwin #CircularEconomy #ADB

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time. More than 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced every year worldwide, half of which is designed to be used only once (Source: UN). It affects ecosystems, our health, and the resources we rely on. Watch our new video to understand why action is urgently needed. 🌍More info: www.magicbiomat.eu #PlasticPollution #CircularEconomy #BioBasedSolutions #MAGICBIOMAT

Prevention and minimisation of #plastic waste can: 🟢Reduce environmental impacts of resource extraction, manufacturing and distribution. 🟢Reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. 🟢Improve material and resource efficiency. By preventing and minimising plastic waste, countries can stimulate economic growth and the transition towards a #CircularEconomy ♻️. Learn more👇

Southeast and East Asia are a hotspot for plastic pollution. Despite expected improvements, in the absence of more ambitious policies, mismanaged waste in this region will increase by 69% in 2050 – amplifying risks to biodiversity, fisheries, ocean-based economies, livelihoods and human wellbeing. Our 🆕 report looks at: ➡️ The dynamics of plastic flows and the plastics policy landscape in the region. ➡️ Projected trends for plastics use, waste and environmental impacts under current policies. ➡️ Policy scenarios that can halt plastic leakage to the environment by mid-century. Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21wUwLV

Plastic Pollution: Global talks stall, but work to tackle plastic waste through the BRS Conventions continue   This edition highlights: 🔹 €2 million boost for global fight against plastic pollution 🔹 Inception meeting to phase out PFAS in firefighting foams in Africa 🔹 National training in Zambia on the enforcement of the Basel Convention and Plastic Waste Amendments 🔹 Upcoming events, resources, and more   Delve into this month’s edition to see how the BRS Conventions are working to protect human health and the environment. 📖 Read & share: https://lnkd.in/dGE3nMCa #PlasticPollution #BRSConventions #PlasticWaste #HazardousChemicals #POPs #PFAS #Sustainability #UNEnvironment

💸 The Hidden Cost of Microplastics Microplastics are not just an environmental problem, they are an economic one. They disrupt fisheries, contaminate agriculture, damage tourism, and burden healthcare systems as they enter our food chain. The OECD warns that plastic pollution could triple by 2060, driving costs into the billions if we fail to act. Cleanup is nearly impossible, and prevention is far more cost-effective. At Eco Research, we are developing algae-based bio-plastics and bio-absorbents to tackle the issue at its source. By replacing plastics with biodegradable alternatives and intercepting pollutants before they spread, we help industries reduce both ecological and financial risks. Solving the microplastic crisis is not only about saving the planet, it is also about safeguarding our economies. #EcoResearch #Microplastics #HiddenCost #CircularEconomy #AlgaeInnovation #Sustainability

"𝘈𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘪𝘭𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦" by Julia Feeth. A blog about how and why we 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 in the environment 𝘀𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 - and the 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 that come with it. Read the full story 👉 https://lnkd.in/geE-kREM #SoilSecurity #PlasticPollution #Microplastics #SoilMatters #HealthySoils #SoilHealth #SoilAwareness #EnvironmentalAwareness #ClimateAction #Biodiversity #SustainableFuture #SoilScience #ProtectOurSoil #PlanetCare

Ocean plastic pollution is well documented, and for good reason. One reason it receives so much attention is simple: we can see it, whether with our own eyes, goggles (if you prefer clear vision over red eyes), or cameras. But for soil, it is far more challenging to observe, yet the results are just as concerning, if not more. Read more in the new blog post 👇

Have you ever noticed how much we care about plastic pollution in the ocean but not in the soil? Unfortunately, this imbalance has implications for how we treat our soils. Read the blog I wrote for Aroura - The Soil Security Think Tank to learn more about how and why we perceive the severity of plastic pollution so differently depending on the environment 📝😊

Microplastics aren’t just in our ocean - they’re in our soil too. A new study by the @jameshuttoninst has found that just four years of applying sewage sludge to farmland led to a staggering 1,450% increase in microplastics in the soil. And perhaps more worrying - these particles have remained for over two decades. While sludge is commonly used as fertiliser, it's often laden with microplastics from household waste, synthetic clothing fibres, and personal care products. Once in the soil, these particles don’t simply stay put - they break down into even smaller nanoplastics, with the potential to enter food chains and disrupt soil health. Yet at present, there are no regulations that limit the amount of microplastic in sewage sludge applied to land. At eXXpedition, we often speak about the journey of plastic from land to sea - but this is a clear reminder that the story begins much earlier, and often invisibly. It’s time to rethink how we manage waste and protect both ocean and soil ecosystems from long-lasting plastic pollution. Let’s connect the dots between land and sea. #exxpedition #microplastics #plasticpollution #wastemanagement #solutions #seatosource #nanoplastics #newstudy #wavesofchange