A plastic drinks bottle is one of the most "recyclable" objects in the modern waste stream. It is lightweight and collected in huge volumes. Yet even for this item, the reality of recycling is messy: ...

Scientists racing to tackle plastic pollution have created a surprising new contender: a biodegradable packaging film made partly from milk protein. Researchers at Flinders University blended calcium ...

Plastic-infused asphalt can also save money. Because it lasts longer and resists cracking, cities may spend less on repairs and maintenance. In Rockwall, for example, early estimates suggest these ...

Solutions to the plastic waste crisis are often pitched using words that can skew value judgments, new research argues. The ...

Thousands of tonnes of plastic pollution could be escaping into the environment every year . . . from our mouths. Most chewing gum on sale is made from a variety of oil-based synthetic rubbers—similar ...

Japanese scientists have developed a new type of plastic that’s strong at room temperature, but can be easily broken down on demand into its base components. In seawater, it starts to break down into ...

The UK has issued updated guidance explaining which plastic packaging can realistically be collected, sorted and reprocessed through existing recycling infrastructure.

Plastics have enormous potential in space. It can cost $5,000 or more per pound to launch an object into orbit, according to Nature Portfolio. A lightweight material, plastics could theoretically ...

Lawsuits and investigations across the country are exposing vulnerabilities in California's landmark single-use plastic law.

Real pain is scrubbing plastic containers after they've stored oily, saucy food. Here's why those stains and smells are so ...