Plastic pollution and plastic waste - possible solutions; Toxic Air; Farm Slurry Spills, UK

BBC iPlayer (Radio 4): Plastic Fantastic, What's the Solution?

"The solutions to the problem of plastic pollution and plastic waste lie in many directions. A global plan to stop littering will go a long way. But human behaviour change often needs some economic intervention. One idea by the UK government and many others around the world, is to give a little financial incentive in the form of deposits on plastic bottles, or taxation on single use plastic like coffee cups, food wrapping and plastic bags. Mark Miodownik investigates some of the scientific solutions such as alternatives to petrochemical plastic using microbes or plant materials, clever waste sorting technologies to help make the process easier, even using less plastic. And he hopefully untangles some of the confusing messages about plastic and comes up with ways to be plastic smart".


Other environmental problems; toxic air pollution, Ian Whitwham in SecEd

"Why was nothing done about it? Why were the effects of lead unacknowledged?"


River and watercourse pollution - farm slurry storage spills, Farming Today, BBC Radio 4, iPlayer

"Storing manure and farm waste near rivers and water courses is being questioned by a dairy specialist. Dr Partha Ray from Reading University's School of Agriculture has investigated the impact that livestock farming has on the environment. It comes as an investigation is underway into a pollution spill in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland which has seen 100,000 gallons of slurry escape, leading to the death of fish on a 15 mile stretch of river".