Air in childcare settings heavy with plastic pollution
A new air quality study has shed light on how much plastic Australians might be inhaling when they're indoors, with childcare environments the most polluted.
hazardous materials
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frog, turtle meat seized in 38 tonne biosecurity haul
Boxes of turtle and frog meat are among 38 tonnes of high-risk goods seized by federal authorities at a western Sydney warehouse.
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.
Secrecy around waste company that illegally dumped meat
A company trusted by the government to manage biosecurity risks won't be named despite the illegal dumping of hundreds of kilos of imported meat products.
Fireworks deliver long-term hit for wildlife: study
Fireworks can cause breeding and other long-term problems for wildlife and it's time to move to lower-impact spectacles, a new study says.
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environmental issue
environmental pollution
hazardous materials
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nuclear accident
Radioactive capsule hunt a tough gig
A high-stakes hunt for a capsule of radioactive material won't be easy or quick, experts say.
Outback hunt for lost radioactive capsule
An urgent health warning has been issued in Western Australia after a radioactive capsule went missing on a 1400km journey from a mine to Perth.
Search for radioactive capsule continues
Authorities continue to search for a tiny but dangerous radioactive capsule from a Rio Tinto mine after it disappeared on a 1400km journey across the outback.
Search for missing radioactive capsule
Authorities are searching for a tiny but dangerous radioactive capsule that went missing on a 1400km journey across the West Australian outback.
Lost radioactive capsule from Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto has confirmed that a tiny but dangerous radioactive capsule that got lost on a 1400km journey across the WA outback came from one its mines.
Loss of radioactive capsule investigated
Authorities continue to search for a tiny but dangerous radioactive capsule from a Rio Tinto mine after it disappeared on a 1400km journey across the outback.
New way to rid water of toxic chemicals
University of Queensland researchers have worked out how to harness the power of magnets to strip toxic PFAS chemicals from contaminated water.
Warehouses found chock-full of plastics
About 3000 tonnes of soft plastics have been discovered in six Melbourne warehouses after the REDcycle recycling program was halted a month ago.
Viruses hitchhike on microplastics: study
Australian researchers have discovered viruses can get a free ride by latching onto tiny particles of plastic regularly taken in by humans.
Firefighters tested for forever chemicals
Firefighters are being tested for toxic PFAS chemicals after unsafe levels were found in drinking water at a Victorian airport.
Incontinence pads dwarf nappy waste
Incontinence pads are now a bigger waste problem than nappies, and Australia needs to turn its mind to solutions, a new study says.
Carpets pollute Aussie homes with plastic
Carpets are contributing to microplastic pollution in Australian homes, a new international study has found.
New solution to cleanse toxic PFAS legacy
An Australian company has developed a ground-breaking way to destroy harmful PFAS chemicals.
Flushers and floaters: Australia takes aim at the ‘fatberg’ scourge
A new national standard has been set for wet wipes in a bid to chip away at the fatberg problem plaguing Australia's sewage system.
Nuclear waste shipment bound for Sydney
Australia is about to get back some of its nuclear waste, but conservationists are alarmed by what the federal government plans to do with it.
Nation powers up battery recycling scheme
Australians understand dead batteries have value but don't know what to do with them and they generally wind up being dumped.
Radioactive: the debate over nuclear waste
Australia's plan to deal with its radioactive waste is either the best or worst idea ever, depending on the perspective.
Monolithic cask of nuclear waste to arrive
Australia is preparing to receive a second shipment of radioactive waste that's been reprocessed overseas.