Tiny plastic pieces top the list of trash on Great Lakes beaches

Julie GrantApril 17, 2024

The nonprofit Alliance for the Great Lakes analyzed 20 years of data from volunteer beach cleanups.

PollutionWaterYour Environment Update

Survey finds Pittsburgh’s plastic bag ban is working, but room for improvement

Kiley KoscinskiMarch 20, 2024

A survey found that Pittsburgh retailers have overwhelmingly complied with the ban, but about a third of restaurants have not.

Pollution

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

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

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

Will Pittsburgh’s bag ban reduce plastic trash in the environment?

Julie GrantApril 22, 2022

The hope is to eliminate a source of litter on the streets and microplastics in the water. But some point to studies that show people just buy more plastic bags.

PollutionYour Environment Update

Pittsburgh City Council passes bill to ban single-use plastic bags in the city

Ariel WorthyApril 12, 2022

Under the ban, plastic bags won't be an option for shoppers or for take-out. But it won't take effect for another year.

PoliticsPollution

Pittsburgh City Council preliminarily approves long-delayed ban on single-use plastic bags

Ariel WorthyApril 6, 2022

The ban would mean no single-use plastic bags in stores starting next year. Shoppers would have to bring their own reusable bags or buy paper bags.

CulturePollution