Aussie company makes breakthrough on clothing recycling
An Australian company has made a breakthrough in the race to recycle the world's wardrobe - a hungry enzyme that breaks down the plastic in our clothes.
environmental pollution
Mixed reaction greets PFAS contamination payout
Landowners whose properties were contaminated by firefighting foam used on RAAF bases have reached a $132.7 million settlement, while others face further talks.
Coles to discard soft-plastic bags by the end of June
Coles says its decision to phase out soft-plastic shopping bags nationwide will remove 230 million of them from circulation within a year.
Washing machine filters a ‘no-brainer’ to cut pollution
Australia has a plan to fit pollution filters to domestic washing machines by 2030 but experts say the rise in fast, plastic fashion demands urgent action.
Why electric trucks could cut more pollution than cars
Action is needed to get more electric trucks on Australian roads, according to a new report and industry groups who say heavy vehicles are missing out.
Clock ticks for supermarkets to shift plastic stockpile
Coles and Woolworths have until May 12 to move high-risk soft plastic stockpiles from warehouses across NSW after environmental authorities denied an extension.
Packaging industry won’t meet its own targets on waste
None of the waste-busting targets the packaging industry set for itself five years ago will be met, a long-awaited review has confirmed.
Bushfire-fighting chemicals stunt, kill frogs: study
A Queensland study has sounded alarm bells about new-generation bushfire-fighting chemicals, with two found to stunt and kill frogs.
Coastal critters at home on Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Coastal species are living and breeding on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and raising the prospect of a new kind of ecological community.
Methane worry for Qld river ‘bubbling like a broth’
Environmental activists hold concerns for a Queensland river and surrounding areas after gathering footage showing methane bubbling close to a local weir.
Watchdog urged to step in on so-called ‘ocean plastic’
There's growing disquiet about the rise of new products claiming to be made using "ocean plastic" or "ocean bound plastic" that's actually come from the land.
Rubble-loving fish a ‘glimmer of hope’ for Barrier Reef
While the most colourful denizens of a Great Barrier Reef island may have departed, their rubble-loving neighbours endure at the Australian natural wonder.
Study looks for toxic chemicals in food packaging
Scientists believe they'll find a family of toxic, so-called "forever chemicals" in next-generation food packaging used in Australia.
Coal seam gas waste plan worries farmers and activists
Activists and farmers have raised concerns about a plan to allow coal seam gas companies to store their waste salt in lined landfill sites.
Utes and large SUVs are speeding past emission targets
A report into pollution from Australia's vehicle fleet has found heavy SUVs and light commercial vehicles, including utes, are missing emission targets.
Unknown risk in plastic rubbish lining Australian coast
Three-quarters of the waste littering Australia's coastline is now plastic with authorities yet to fully assess the risk posed by the pollution.
Pollution crackdown hits biggest emitters as laws pass
Changes to the safeguard mechanism putting a hard cap on pollution from big emitters have passed the parliament.
Plastic chemicals doing untold human harm: scientists
Scientists say humans are suffering untold harm from plastics, ranging from cancer and reproductive damage to the loss of intelligence that defines humanity.
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
global warming
health
natural disasters
natural resources
‘This can be done’: UN’s message on net-zero deadlines
The UN secretary-general says developed nations like Australia must bring forward their net-zero timelines by a decade, given the latest climate change report.
Recycler hungry for Australia’s stinky old shoes
As Australia transitions to a circular economy, more and more niche recycling programs are popping up and shoes are no exception.
Unquenched Aussie thirst for world’s most costly water
Aussies are among the top consumers of bottled water globally and we are paying the most for it, a new UN report shows.
Pile of poo ’19 times heavier than Harbour Bridge’
Pet owners are turning to eco-friendly methods to dispose of pet poo in an effort to minimise the environmental cost of picking up after our furry friends.
Funds accused of ‘greenwashing’ by market lobby group
The environment-focussed lobby group Market Forces has criticised five super funds for not doing enough to challenge the fossil fuel firms they invest in.
Long wait to unwrap soft plastics recycling disaster
Coles and Woolworths hope to ship mountains of stockpiled soft plastic offshore and warn it will take time to replace the failed REDcycle recycling scheme.
Toyota faces ‘greenwashing’ claims over car emissions
Greenpeace has accused Australia's largest car maker of 'greenwashing' over its advertising and net-zero goals in a complaint lodged with the ACCC.
coal
environmental pollution
mining
politics (general)
regulatory policy and organisation
water pollution
water supply
Future coal plan requires Bravus groundwater ‘re-run’
Coal miner Bravus admits it has more work to do to ensure planned underground mining at it's Carmichael site dosen't impact nearby Doongmabulla Springs.
The healing powers of Australia’s Clean Up campaign
Aussies will rally this weekend for Clean Up Australia Day but it's more than just a boost for nature. It's also a lesson in the restorative power of community.
Scientists urge focus on new tech to capture emissions
Scientists say Australia must pour effort into scaling up new technologies that can suck emissions out of the atmosphere, while it also works to cut them.
REDcycle’s parent company to be wound up
The company behind Australia's failed REDcycle recycling scheme will be wound up after it left stockpiles of soft plastics across the country.
Trust on the line in battle over plastic stockpiles
Coles and Woolworths have offered to deal with mountains of soft plastic stockpiled by a failed recycling scheme amid a push to have it wound up.
Car pollution kills 11,000 Aussies, hospitalises more
More than 11,000 Australians are dying prematurely each year from vehicle pollution, according to a new study that calls for more cuts to car emissions.