Building a Greener Future: Benchmarking the Top 40 Sustainable Companies and Exploring Opportunities, Challenges & Eco-Friendly Brands

13 July 2025 13 July 2025

In a bold move to redefine ocean apparel, Silverback Hawaii has launched its revolutionary eco-friendly Sun Protection Clothing line, showcasing how performance gear can coexist with planetary health. The Hawaiian Hydro Hoodies and Laki Leggings are not just stylish and functional; they’re crafted from REPREVE® recycled fibers, each garment diverting thirteen plastic bottles from oceans and landfills. Beyond material innovation, the brand prioritizes ethical production by manufacturing locally in the U.S., significantly cutting carbon emissions tied to global supply chains.

Significant Progress in Cleaning Up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch: A Milestone Achieved, But Challenges Remain

6 January 2025 6 January 2025

This year, the Ocean Cleanup project achieved a milestone by removing over 22 million pounds of trash from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, but while the achievement is a hopeful step in tackling ocean pollution, much more work lies ahead. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch remains a growing crisis, with millions of tons of plastic continuing to accumulate each year, threatening marine life and ecosystems. The effort to clean it up requires a collaborative approach from individuals, businesses, governments, and organizations like the Ocean Cleanup, who are pioneering innovative solutions.

The Alliance to End Plastic Waste: Promises vs. Reality

24 November 2024 24 November 2024

The Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW), established by leading oil and chemical corporations, claims to be at the forefront of combating plastic pollution. However, its actions reveal a stark contradiction. While pledging to tackle waste, the Alliance’s member companies continue ramping up plastic production, exacerbating the very crisis they purport to solve. This article examines the growing gap between AEPW’s commitments and reality, explores the ecological fallout of unchecked plastic production, and outlines actionable strategies for mitigating the plastic crisis.

New Method Recycles Plastic into Valuable Chemicals and Clean Energy

17 November 2024 17 November 2024

A German research team has developed an iron-catalyzed, solar-powered method to break down polystyrene plastic into valuable chemicals and clean hydrogen. This innovative process offers a solution to the growing problem of plastic pollution, particularly the recycling challenges posed by polystyrene, and supports clean energy production. The process not only reduces plastic waste but also promotes a circular economy by converting waste into usable industrial chemicals and renewable hydrogen, paving the way for more sustainable practices in both recycling and energy production.

Choking on Plastic: The Global Crisis and the Call for a Treaty

16 November 2024 16 November 2024

Plastic pollution is everywhere—from our oceans to our bodies, even our blood. Each year, people may ingest up to 50 plastic bags’ worth of microplastics through food and water. This November, the UN has a historic chance to address this crisis by negotiating a global treaty to end plastic pollution. The treaty must be ambitious, enforceable, and equitable, tackling the issue from production to disposal. With public demand for change surging, the time for action is now. Let’s ensure that this opportunity is not wasted—for the planet and for future generations.

Coral as a Microplastic Sink: A New Solution to the Ocean Plastic Crisis

6 October 2024 6 October 2024

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have found that coral reefs may play an unexpected role in absorbing microplastics from ocean waters, potentially addressing the “missing plastic” dilemma. These findings highlight the dual nature of coral reefs as both crucial for marine biodiversity and potentially aiding in the mitigation of plastic pollution. However, this absorption poses risks to coral health, with microplastics contributing to tissue damage, infections, and impaired growth. Urgent conservation efforts are needed to protect these ecosystems and reduce plastic waste at its source.