Electronics are everywhere around us, and life in the 21st century is unimaginable without them. Computers, mobile phones, televisions, etc. are ubiquitous and have transformed the way the world works. However, like any technology, there are problems that need to be addressed, and electronic waste is one of the major one for the environment.

Electronic waste or e-waste grows at an exponential rate because the industry churns out new products at an ever faster rate. This renders old products useless. (more…)

I was recently asked by a friend whether I was able to create an impact through my anti-plastic propaganda. I told him how easily I was able to reduce my plastic consumption in a couple days and how supportive the people that I spoke to are. He kept asking me whether my individual environmental care would result in a dramatic reduction of global plastic usage. Good question.

For one month, I have talked to managers of stores and restaurants who sell plastic forks, knives, bags and (more…)

For almost two weeks, I have been consciously reducing my plastic use and advocating a plastic-free life. I stopped buying plastic bottles or plastic bags and every time I go to grocery shopping I carry my own reusable bag or containers. By doing so, I have been quite successful to reduce my plastic consumption compared to last month. In fact, it started becoming an addiction to re-use everything that I have, including the plastic zipper bags and containers. As a good alternative to conventional plastics, I started believing in compostable plastics that would replace most areas in our daily life. (more…)

A music video released last week as part of Earth Day celebrations looks at consumer culutre and the very real effect it is having on our oceans, as seen in the Pacific Ocean garbage patch.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a Texas-sized vortex of marine litter consisting of pelagic plastics, chemical sludge, and other debris in the Northern Pacific ocean.

Musician Peter Buffet uses his song to urge people to change their wasteful habits, and in turn, lessen the effects of plastic waste products on the planet.

The video, released in conjunction with DoSomething.org, is shown below: (more…)

Plastic bags are everywhere. Many years ago the only bags at the grocery store were paper ones. Now you have a choice of paper, plastic or bring your bag. Where have all the bags gone after they are used? Plastic bag and film recycling in the U.S. reached a record high in 2008, recovering about 832 million pounds of post consumer film, according to a new study from the American Chemistry Council.

Plastic bags are difficult and costly to recycle and many end up on landfill sites where they take around 300 years to photo degrade. They break down into tiny toxic particles that contaminate the soil and waterways and enter the food chain when animals accidentally ingest them. But the problems surrounding waste plastic bags starts long before they photo degrade. Many become airborne and float surprising distances. Others can choke waterways and animals.

The “National Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic Bags and Film Report,” conducted by Moore Recycling Associates, finds that plastic bag and film recovery increased 28 percent since 2005, driven by several factors including greater consumer access to collection programs and new markets for the recycled materials such as backyard decking, fencing, railings, shopping carts and new bags. (more…)

Long a ubiquitous part of modern life, plastics are now in everything from diapers to water bottles to cell phones. But given the proven health threats of some plastics — as well as the enormous environmental costs — the time has come for the U.S. to pass a comprehensive plastics control law.

creatingpowerfulhealth.com/blog

Plastic water bottles made with the carbonate plastic Bisphenol-A (BPA) on display at a California outdoor supply store.

Since 1950, plastics have quickly and quietly entered the lives and bodies of most people and ecosystems on the planet. In the United States alone, more than 100 billion pounds of resins are formed each year into food and beverage packaging, electronics, building products, furnishings, vehicles, toys, and medical devices. In 2007, the average American purchased more than 220 pounds of plastic, creating nearly $400 billion in sales.

It is now impossible to avoid exposure to plastics. They surround and pervade our homes, bodies, foods, and water supplies, from the plastic diapers and polyester pajamas worn by our children to the cars we drive and the frying pans in which we cook our food.

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