Paused Ohio chemical recycling plant puts spotlight on Appalachia as ‘prime target’ for the controversial practice Kristina MarusicMarch 27, 2024 Chemical recycling uses heat, chemicals or both to break down plastic waste into component parts for reuse as plastic feedstocks or as fuel. Environmental JusticeHealthPollutionYour Environment Update
Taxpayers subsidize polluting plastics plants like Shell’s ethane cracker, report finds Reid FrazierMarch 19, 2024 Many plastics plants that have received tax incentives like Shell's Beaver County facility routinely break environmental laws. EnergyPollution
Allegheny County to consider ban on single-use plastic bags Julia ZenkevichOctober 26, 2023 The ordinance was introduced at a meeting Tuesday and referred to council’s committee on sustainability and green initiatives. Pollution
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