Hidden Fossil Fuels: Plastic Production Drives Climate Change
NRDC onEarth
APRIL 23, 2024
Study shows that plastic production could be nearly one third of the global carbon budget and emits four times more greenhouse gases than the airline industry.
As plastics pile up, can 'advanced' recycling cut the waste?
GreenBiz
JUNE 30, 2023
Proponents of pyrolysis — including oil and gas companies — contend it will reduce plastic pollution. But critics say it will only perpetuate a dependence on fossil fuels.
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Biomass, captured carbon and plastic waste can help 'defossilize' chemicals, report says
GreenBiz
MAY 8, 2024
Policy briefing sets out how industry can move away from fossil fuel feedstocks and embrace low carbon and sustainable alternatives
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Greenpeace US Responds to Fossil Fuel Industry Plans to Grow Plastic Demand
Green Living Guy
FEBRUARY 2, 2022
The externalities from plastic pollution result in severe health and environmental harm globally. Yet, the fossil fuel industry aims to increase the demand for plastic over the next decade. The post Greenpeace US Responds to Fossil Fuel Industry Plans to Grow Plastic Demand appeared first on Green Living Guy.
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Electrofuels Are the Future: The Driving Force to Decarbonizing Heavy Transport
Speaker: Ayesha Choudhury - Senior Vice President, Head of Capital Markets at Infinium
Electrofuels (aka eFuels) are the next generation of solutions to help the hardest-to-abate sectors pivot from their reliance on fossil fuels. Not only that, but eFuels can also replace petroleum as a key component in the creation of chemicals and plastic solvents.
Fears grow over rising number of oil lobbyists at UN plastic pollution talks
The Guardian: Energy
APRIL 25, 2024
Proposed global treaty to curb production represents challenge to producers of fossil fuels, from which most plastics are made The number of fossil fuel and petrochemical industry lobbyists at UN talks to agree the first global treaty to cut plastic pollution has increased by more than a third, according to an analysis.
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Novel system converts CO2 and plastic waste into a clean fuel
Envirotec Magazine
JUNE 20, 2023
Researchers have demonstrated a novel system for transforming captured carbon and plastic waste into sustainable fuels and other valuable chemicals using solar energy. CCS is a technology that’s popular with the fossil fuel industry as a way to reduce carbon emissions while continuing oil and gas exploration,” said Reisner.
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Episode 367: Plastics platitudes, carbon capture critique
GreenBiz
JUNE 9, 2023
Jo and Joy Banner, co-founders and co-directors of The Descendants Project, explain why we should "stop giving fossil fuels a lifeline." Sifang Chen, managing science and innovation advisor at Carbon 180, unpacks ocean carbon capture.
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Meet the company building Europe's first fossil-free plastics plant
GreenBiz
MARCH 25, 2022
We have to reinvent almost everything': Dutch company Avantium aims to have a new manufacturing plant producing a fossil fuel-free polymer by 2024.
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£400m to be invested in UK plastic recycling facilities
Envirotec Magazine
NOVEMBER 16, 2022
Bertie Stephens, group CEO of Clean Planet Energy , said: “Clean Planet Energy’s mission is to remove over one million tonnes of non-recyclable plastic waste from our environment, every year. Clean Planet Energy’s ecoPlant is intended to process non-recyclable and hard-to-recycle waste plastics that would otherwise be sent to landfill.
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New plant-derived polymer could replace single-use plastics
Inhabitat - Innovation
JUNE 10, 2021
A new plastic made from plant proteins could replace single-use plastics made from fossil fuels.
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Nigel Farage’s Reform Party Has Accepted £2.3 Million from Fossil Fuel Interests, Climate Deniers, and Polluters Since 2019 Election
DeSmogBlog
JUNE 4, 2024
Hosking previously told DeSmog: “I do not have millions in fossil fuels; it is the clients of Hosking Partners who are the beneficiaries of these investments.” No political party should be taking any money from fossil fuel interests whatsoever,” Caroline Lucas, until recently the Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion, told DeSmog.
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The hidden challenge: Have you defined plastic?
GreenBiz
FEBRUARY 2, 2022
Instead of focusing just on fossil fuel-reliance or just on waste, look more holistically at environmental and human health concerns across the life cycle to prevent unintended consequences.
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Tools and solutions that stand out from Climate Week
GreenBiz
SEPTEMBER 26, 2022
Action against plastics and fossil fuels. New tools to embed carbonization throughout businesses of any size. These developments from the climate confab in the Big Apple offer ways to move climate action forward.
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New York State Legislature Strikes A Blow Against Plastic Pollution
NRDC onEarth
MAY 10, 2024
Just-passed New York State legislation would prohibit the sale and distribution of fossil fuel–based, water-polluting polystyrene foam ice chests. Going, going, almost gone!
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Bradford becomes first Yorkshire and Humber council to specify plastic roads
Envirotec Magazine
APRIL 12, 2022
Bradford Council has worked with waste plastic road company MacRebur to become the first local authority in the region to specify road surfacing material that contains recycled plastic. Based in Lockerbie, MacRebur has been processing waste plastics otherwise destined for landfill or incineration since 2016.
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DePoly secures $13.8 million to recycle old plastic and cut fossil fuels in new products
Impact Alpha
JUNE 28, 2023
ImpactAlpha, June 28 – Plastic use is still on pace to triple in the next 40 years. million to recycle old plastic and cut fossil fuels in new products appeared first on ImpactAlpha. Less than 10% gets recycled (in. The post DePoly secures $13.8
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Revealed: Three-quarters of Prestigious Green Advertising Awards Go To Agencies Working for Fossil Fuel Industry
DeSmogBlog
JANUARY 4, 2024
Three-quarters of prizes at the UK’s top sustainable advertising awards went to agencies who work for the fossil fuel industry, a DeSmog analysis has revealed. Coca-Cola also has a record of actively fighting against plastic pollution legislation, according to a report by U.S.-based
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Fossil Fuel-Linked Companies Dominate Sponsorship of COP27
DeSmogBlog
NOVEMBER 16, 2022
The findings underscore concerns over the role of the fossil fuel industry at the negotiations, known as COP27, which have become a focal point for deals to exploit African natural gas. These talks are supposed to be about moving us away from fossil fuels, phasing them out,” Sabido told DeSmog. Social license.
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Plastic waste has some economic benefit for developing countries
Envirotec Magazine
JULY 2, 2021
For decades, wealthy nations have transported plastic trash, and the environmental problems that go with it, to poorer countries, but researchers say they have found a potential bright side to this seemingly unequal trade: plastic waste may provide an economic boon for the lower-income countries. graduate and lead author on the study.
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'Industrial food systems have a fossil fuel problem': Study estimates global food system uses 15 per cent of all fossil fuels
Business Green
NOVEMBER 2, 2023
Report warns oil companies are manoeuvring to lock in global food system's dependence on fossil fuel-based pesticides, fertilisers, and plastic packaging
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Scientists caution against a reliance on mechanical devices to clear water bodies of plastic
Envirotec Magazine
NOVEMBER 14, 2023
An international group of scientists has cautioned against reliance on mechanical cleanup devices as a means of addressing the plastic pollution crisis. However, they caution that plastic removal technologies used so far have shown varied efficiency in the amount of waste material they are able to collect, many have not been tested at all.
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How the Fossil Fuel Industry Buys Goodwill
DeSmogBlog
NOVEMBER 11, 2022
From the world’s biggest soccer championship to soccer training for kids , from major universities to music festivals and art galleries to — if you can name it, fossil fuel companies have probably sponsored it. TotalEnergies will sponsor the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
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New Report Calls Out Chemical Recycling as a ‘False Solution’ to the Plastics Crisis
DeSmogBlog
OCTOBER 31, 2023
The plastics and petrochemical industries’ latest purported solution to the plastic pollution crisis – chemical or “advanced” recycling – is essentially a public relations and marketing strategy designed to distract from the urgent need to curb plastic production, a new report contends. Chemical recycling itself is not new.
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Chemicals used in plastic food packaging linked to 10% of preterm births in 2018
Grist
FEBRUARY 8, 2024
A class of chemicals commonly used in plastic food containers and cosmetic products may have caused about 10 percent of the United States’ preterm births in 2018, according to a study from environmental health experts at New York University. Phthalate exposure is just one way the plastics industry externalizes harms.
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French NGOs Sue BNP Paribas, Europe’s Largest Financier of Fossil Fuel Expansion
DeSmogBlog
FEBRUARY 28, 2023
French environmental organizations Notre Affaire à Tous, Friends of the Earth France, and Oxfam France last week filed what they say is the world’s first climate lawsuit against a commercial bank, suing BNP Paribas over its continued funding of fossil fuels. They also say that the financial sector more broadly is on notice.
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SBTi chief's 'deep regret' and fossil fuel grid records: BusinessGreen's most read stories of the week
Business Green
APRIL 26, 2024
by Michael Holder ( @michaelholder ) Study: Fossil fuel grid share hits record low New Carbon Brief analysis suggests grid is on track to operate for periods without fossil fuel generation from next year. - by Michael Holder ( @michaelholder ) Help or hindrance?
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Why the Oil and Chemical Lobby Is Taking Aim at New York’s Plastic Waste Bill
DeSmogBlog
MARCH 6, 2024
Last week at the New York State Capitol, more than 300 advocates joined lawmakers for a rally to urge the passage of a landmark waste reduction bill that proponents say is the best piece of legislation in the country aimed at lessening plastic trash. Thankfully they have not succeeded so far.”
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Can Plastic Waste Go Away?
Energy Central
MARCH 23, 2023
The Institute of Cooperative Upcycling of Plastic (iCOUP) along with researchers from Cornell and the Argonne National Laboratory have invented a catalyst capable of deconstructing complex hydrocarbon-based materials like plastic.
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Taking an inventory of the global plastics problem
Envirotec Magazine
DECEMBER 1, 2021
360 million metric tonnes of new plastic was produced in 2018. A group from the University of Pittsburgh explains, and offers a view on why the world must transform plastic use from linear to circular. In 1950, 2 million metric tonnes of new plastic was produced globally. Where did it all go?
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Fossil Fuel Groups ‘Spent Millions’ on Social Media Ads Spreading Climate Disinformation During COP27
DeSmogBlog
JANUARY 19, 2023
Fossil fuel-linked groups spent around $4 million on Facebook and Instagram that spread false climate claims over the COP27 summit, a new report says. Our report shows Big Oil continues to invest millions in digital advertising to launder their image as ‘climate champions’, while also promoting the necessity of fossil fuels.”
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California AG Launches Investigation into Fossil Fuel and Petrochemical Industries for Plastic Pollution
Energy and Cleantech Council
MAY 31, 2022
On April 28, 2022, the California Attorney General launched an investigation into the “fossil fuel and petrochemical industries for their role in causing and exacerbating the global plastics pollution crisis.” See our previous coverage on the NY and MA AG’s investigations.
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A Window into Louisiana’s Continued Embrace of the Fossil Fuel Industry
DeSmogBlog
DECEMBER 21, 2022
I live in South Louisiana on the front lines of the climate crisis and cover the fossil fuel industry and impacts related to the warming planet, so facing gaslighting is a regular occurrence for me. Riders on numerous floats tossed plastic Mardi Gras beads made in China, stuffed animals, and other plastic trinkets.
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Is a fully circular, fossil fuel-free plastics system really achievable?
Business Green
APRIL 5, 2022
Year-long research project led by Systemiq asserts window for action is fast closing, but concludes shift towards net zero plastics system is affordable and achievable. Yoni Shiran, program director and partner at Systemiq, said a new, more climate and planet-friendly plastics system was "within reach but will require bold action".
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'Green bricks': Lego Group builds out plans to develop non-fossil fuel based plastics by 2024
Business Green
APRIL 21, 2023
Danish toy manufacturer announces new partnerships to accelerate the development of plastics made using e-methanol
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Emissions goals impossible without plastic reduction, think tank warns
Business Green
SEPTEMBER 20, 2020
Overseas Development Institute warns fossil fuel emissions from plastic will rise three-fold by 2050 unless current trends are addressed. Phasing out the use of plastic in a number of industries could help the world curb demand for fossil fuels and more effectively confront the climate crisis, researchers have today advised.
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5 opportunities of a circular economy
GreenBiz
MARCH 5, 2021
More than 100 billion tons of resources enter the economy every year — everything from metals, minerals and fossil fuels to organic materials from plants and animals. Each year, huge quantities of fossil fuels are used to produce clothes from synthetic fibers each year. 5 opportunities of a circular economy.
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Unilever pledges to invest €1bn in eliminating fossil fuels from cleaning products by 2030
Business Green
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
Consumer goods giant outlines plans to spend €1bn on ramping up carbon capture and utilisation technologies that will curb its cleaning and laundry product line's reliance on fossil fuel derived chemicals. As an industry, we must break our dependence on fossil fuels, including as a raw material for our products," he said. "We
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Louisiana Activists Charged with Felonies After Delivering Box of Formosa Plastic Pollution to Lobbyists
DeSmogBlog
JUNE 25, 2020
Read time: 6 mins Two Louisiana environmental activists, Anne Rolfes and Kate McIntosh, were taken in handcuffs and leg irons from a Baton Rouge police station to jail after they voluntarily surrendered themselves on felony charges after months' earlier delivering plastic pollution pulled from Texas waters to fossil fuel lobbyists' homes.
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Whistleblower Claims Dangerous Defects in Pipeline for Shell’s Pennsylvania Plastics Plant
DeSmogBlog
MARCH 18, 2021
Read time: 7 mins A whistleblower has alleged that the Falcon pipeline — a 98-mile-long fossil fuel pipeline that will soon feed Shell’s massive plastics manufacturing site under construction in western Pennsylvania — was built with defective protection against corrosion.
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Advanced Recycling: What, When and How to Scale?
GreenBiz
SEPTEMBER 14, 2020
This discussion explores the landscape of transformational technologies that stop plastic waste, keep materials in play and grow markets. Paula Luu, Director, Center for the Circular Economy, Closed Loop Partners.
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Plastics: Consumer goods giants agree industry principles for chemical-based recycling methods
Business Green
APRIL 13, 2022
A clutch of the world's largest consumer goods companies, including Mars, Nestle, Danone and Unilever, have united behind a set of principles for safe and environmentally responsible chemical recycling of plastic waste, arguing that such methods have a role to play in combatting the global plastics pollution crisis.
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With Coal’s Decline, Pennsylvania Communities Watch the Rise of Natural Gas-fueled Plastics
DeSmogBlog
NOVEMBER 22, 2019
Read time: 9 mins For Beaver County, just northwest of Pittsburgh, the construction of Royal Dutch Shell’s towering new plastics factory overshadows the closure of the Bruce Mansfield Power Plant, the state’s largest coal power station, located along the same stretch of Ohio River in western Pennsylvania. .
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Army Corps Orders Environmental Review of Proposed Formosa Plastics Plant in Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley’
DeSmogBlog
AUGUST 18, 2021
The decision deals a significant blow to the proposed multi-billion dollar plastics manufacturing site that would be located in the Gulf Coast region, potentially setting the project’s timetable back significantly. “The race to massively expand plastics and petrochemical infrastructure is putting communities across the U.S.
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