TONTOTON's collection bags of mismanaged ocean-bound plastic When discussing waste issues, we tend to focus on developing countries. In these areas, waste management systems aren’t as established as those in wealthier nations, and so solid waste is more likely to leak into the environment. However, this does not mean that developed countries are exempt from the conversation; they have their own destructive role when it comes to waste pollution. Namely, the global waste trade.   The modern world is connected. What one country does, even at the household level, can affect another country ..read more

In order to stop plastic pollution, all stakeholders need to be involved. Although current legislative trends, like Extended Producer Responsibility, place the majority of the responsibility for achieving sustainability goals in the hands of businesses and corporations, sustainability experts agree that producers aren’t the only ones responsible for our planet; we all have a role to play. As companies better understand their unique role in sustainability, they are doing more to reduce their impact on the environment. When it comes to plastic pollution, this means limiting the production of ..read more

Photo courtesy of Climeco For years, the consensus has been that we need to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials as much as possible. Linear models of waste management are not sustainable, and as consumption grows, so does the need for new ways to manage waste. As some of the most-used materials in the world, plastics have become a major focus for recycling. Because plastic does not degrade (rather, it breaks into smaller and smaller pieces called microplastics), the best course of action for plastic waste seems to be recycling. However, plastic recycling happens less often than you might th ..read more

The Sustainable Development Goals were developed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 as a framework for building the future in a sustainable and socially responsible way. The 17 goals include things like eradicating poverty and ensuring that clean water and sanitation are available to all. They also include specific targets and measures to ensure that participating stakeholders are helping to achieve the goals in a way that assures long-term benefits and success. Although participation in the achievement of the SDGs is not required, it’s considered the blueprint for future sustai ..read more