Wadi Dawan, Yemen, faces a severe environmental crisis as plastic waste and sewage contaminate its agricultural valley, threatening date palms, honey production, and public health. The problem is exacerbated by the country's ongoing war, which has crippled waste management services and local authority funding.
Port Adelaide's Adbri cement factory received EPA approval for a six-week trial to burn more plastic waste (RDF) for fuel. The local council seeks legal advice for an injunction, citing resident concerns over long-term health and emissions, despite EPA assurances of safety and monitoring.
Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Fudan University developed a hydrogenolysis method for polyolefins, which constitute over 60% of plastic waste, to convert them into C8-C16 hydrocarbons for aviation fuel under mild conditions, addressing environmental concerns.
A coalition of 17 states and a trade association have sued California to block its new recycling law, arguing it imposes "onerous mandates" and will increase costs for consumers nationwide. The law aims to reduce plastic packaging waste by requiring companies to scale back single-use plastics.
Developed nations export plastic waste to poorer countries, where it's often openly burned due to inadequate management facilities, releasing toxic pollutants and harming public health and ecosystems.
Mother Dairy is launching India's first naturally degradable milk pouch for its cow milk variant in Delhi-NCR, aiming to tackle plastic pollution from packaging that escapes recycling streams.
Nepal is tackling its plastic waste crisis by incorporating shredded plastics into road construction, aiming to create durable roads and reduce pollution. Local NGO Green Road Waste Management leads the initiative, using low-grade plastics like snack packets. While promising, environmental experts urge further research into emissions and microplastic risks.
Germany and the UK were the largest exporters of plastic waste in 2025, sending over 810,000 and 675,000 tonnes respectively. Much of this waste is destined for Turkey and Malaysia, regions already struggling with pollution, illegal dumping, and labor abuses linked to their recycling industries.
