Plastic recycler plans to move ahead with Pa. plant after withdrawing key permit application Rachel McDevittOctober 25, 2023 The plant along the Susquehanna River in Northumberland County would break down plastics into chemical building blocks. Pollution
Groups threaten to sue Beaver County plastics manufacturer for releasing ‘nurdles’ into Ohio River tributary Reid FrazierOctober 3, 2023 The groups say they found plastic pellets called nurdles near the outfall of the Styropek plant along Raccoon Creek. PollutionWater
Pittsburgh is banning plastic bags next month. Here’s what you need to know. Oliver MorrisonSeptember 25, 2023 Pittsburgh's plastic bag ban goes into effect Oct. 14. Here’s what you can expect and need to know ahead of the rollout. Pollution
A Penn State researcher weighs in on the UN negotiations to end plastic pollution Kara HolsoppleJune 9, 2023 Countries met in Paris to decide whether plastic production or recycling should be the focus of the agreement they hope to adopt by 2024. EconomyPollutionWaterYour Environment Update
Allegheny County could consider ban on single-use plastic bags Julia ZenkevichFebruary 16, 2023 The council’s Committee on Sustainability and Green Initiatives held a hearing about how they might address plastic pollution in the county. Pollution
‘Advanced’ plastic recycling using high heat and chemicals is environmentally problematic, a new government study finds James BruggersFebruary 1, 2023 Industry is pursuing various technologies to recycle plastic, but environmentalists say they only worsen environmental problems. PollutionYour Environment Update
‘We do have questions to answer’ about single-use plastic waste, Shell internal emails reveal James BruggersDecember 21, 2022 Emails between Shell communication officials were made public as part of a congressional investigation into the fossil fuel industry and climate change. EnergyPollutionThe Coming Chemical Boom
Microplastics are everywhere, even in Pennsylvania’s cleanest waterways LehighValleyNews.comNovember 4, 2022 The advocacy group, PennEnvironment, recommends banning single-use plastic, improving recycling, and limiting "fast fashion." Pollution
New novel imagines a future where all we’re left with is our plastic pollution Kara HolsoppleJuly 1, 2022 Alison Stine’s "Trashlands" depicts a dystopian Appalachia, exploited for its last valuable resource, but also full of ingenuity and resilience. CulturePollutionYour Environment Update
Surveying the Ohio River for plastic nurdles, as Shell readies to open cracker Julie GrantJune 10, 2022 Activists have teamed up with local scientists to find out how many pellets are in the river now, to know if the plant spills any after it opens. EnergyPollutionThe Coming Chemical BoomWaterWild Pennsylvania
