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Bethanie Carney Almroth #PlasticsTreaty

@bcarneyalmroth.bsky.social

1.5K followers 860 following 190 posts

Ecotoxicologist, fish biologist, plastic researcher, teacher, communicator, wife, mother, lover of animals. Steering member of The Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty https://ikhapp.org/scientistscoalition/ .. more

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Environmental science 67%

Geography 17%

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Reposted by Bethanie Carney Almroth

Dr. Melanie Bergmann @melaniebergma18.bsky.social · 22d

💣 An excellent analysis of the #PlasticsTreaty 's Whistledown (aka @magnuslovold.bsky.social) of what happened behind the scenes at the end of #INC5.2. Once again, important questions are raised about the role of UNEP, which seems to support a low-ambition treaty #Plastics
medium.com/points-of-or...

Palace intrigues

The plastics treaty talks in Geneva ended without a deal. As negotiators weigh their options about the way forward, troubling questions are…

medium.com

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Bethanie Carney Almroth #PlasticsTreaty @bcarneyalmroth.bsky.social · Sep 8

www.linkedin.com/posts/world-...

Artist's installation confronts plastic pollution at UN talks | World Economic Forum posted on the topic | LinkedIn

A public square outside the UN headquarters in Geneva is sinking beneath a tide of plastic waste. As world leaders gather in the city for the second and final week of negotiations on a global plastics...

www.linkedin.com

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Reposted by Bethanie Carney Almroth

DavZoul @davzoul.bsky.social · Jul 31

backchannel1.substack.com/p/the-consen...

This is no longer just about plastic pollution. The credibility of multilateralism itself depends on proving that a small minority cannot indefinitely hold the planet hostage.
@genevaenvironmentnetwork.org @ciel.org @breakfreefromplastic.org

The Consensus Syndrome

An effective treaty on plastic pollution will require countries to break the long-standing spell of consensus — and finally put decisions to a vote.

backchannel1.substack.com

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Bethanie Carney Almroth #PlasticsTreaty @bcarneyalmroth.bsky.social · Jul 31

I will be in Geneva at the UN #PlasticsTreaty INC5.2 with 58 members of @scientistscoa.bsky.social working to support evidence based-decision making in the negotiations.

Get in touch for all things plastics + science + treaty!

#PlasticPollution #ToxicChemicals #Health #HumanRights

Reposted by Bethanie Carney Almroth

Elsa Devienne @elsadevienne.bsky.social · Jul 24

Worth pointing out that we'll be talking histories of #Plastics just after INC-5.2 (negotiations for a UN #PlasticsTreaty) conclude in Geneva.

Let's hope scientists get heard 🙏

Latest reporting on the topic from @dpcarrington.bsky.social shows how hard that is www.theguardian.com/environment/...

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Reposted by Bethanie Carney Almroth

Mⓐrtin Wⓐgner @martiwag.bsky.social · Jul 24

With the INC5.2 schedule filling up, here is a side event focused on health and plastics in the #plasticstreaty. The Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics will launch on the morning of August, 4rd at an event in Geneva and online. Join us!

tessforum.org/latest/launc...

TESS - Launch Event: Announcing The Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics

tessforum.org

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Reposted by Bethanie Carney Almroth

Max Liboiron @maxliboiron.bsky.social · Jul 24

Today there's a public briefing on the collection, "Act boldly or fail: academic perspectives at a pivotal moment in global plastics treaty negotiations," where 60+ experts outline the consequences of delayed or diluted action 1/
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...

Call for bold action at upcoming Global Plastics Treaty Talks (INC-5.2)

As the world prepares for the final round of negotiations on a legally binding global plastics treaty (INC-5.2), from 5-14 August 2025, over 60 academic experts have stepped forward to outline exactly...

www.eurekalert.org

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Reposted by Bethanie Carney Almroth

Delphine Lévi Alvarès @dlevialvares.bsky.social · Jul 24

🤓 IEEFA just released a briefing note with their considerations for the final round of UN Plastic Treaty negotiations!

*Read the full Briefing Note: tinyurl.com/4cmu3m6p
#PlasticsTreaty

UN international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution: Considerations for the final round of negotiations

Markets for the core feedstocks of virgin plastics—are currently oversupplied, creating market instability and decreased profits.

tinyurl.com

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Reposted by Bethanie Carney Almroth

Klimahandling - ikke mere varm luft🌍 @klimahandling.org · Jul 23

Thanks @dpcarrington.bsky.social for the insights into @unep.org and the #PlasticsTreaty. And @bcarneyalmroth.bsky.social keep up the good work💚

‘Total infiltration’: How plastics industry swamped vital global treaty talks
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

‘Total infiltration’: How plastics industry swamped vital global treaty talks

Petrostates and well-funded lobbyists at UN-hosted talks are derailing a deal to cut plastic production and protect people and the planet

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Bethanie Carney Almroth

Neil Tangri @tangri0.bsky.social · Jul 22

Interested in the upcoming #plasticstreaty INC-5.2? Get regular insights, updates, fact checks, and more from a global network of independent scientists here:

preview.mailerlite.io/forms/165518...

INC Science Update Sign Up

preview.mailerlite.io

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Reposted by Bethanie Carney Almroth

Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty @scientistscoa.bsky.social · Jul 1

💡 The scientific evidence shows the need for a reduction in the production and consumption of primary plastic polymers to sustainable levels.

➡️ Learn more in our new policy brief on Article 6: zenodo.org/records/1563...
📑 See all policy briefs on the different Articles:

@scientistscoalition | Linktree

The Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty

linktr.ee

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Bethanie Carney Almroth #PlasticsTreaty @bcarneyalmroth.bsky.social · Jun 27

#PlasticsTreaty #INC5.2

resource--recycling-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/resource...

Researchers: Effective plastic treaty requires production cuts

Scientists from universities in several countries released a paper that concluded production cuts must be part of the legally binding treaty to manage global plastic pollution if it's to achieve its g...

resource--recycling-com.cdn.ampproject.org

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Reposted by Bethanie Carney Almroth

Neil Tangri @tangri0.bsky.social · Jun 26

I have a new, short publication out! The Entangled Fates of Plastics and Climate Change. I briefly review the material and geopolitical connections between these two environmental problems and point out the way forward. www.cambridge.org/core/journal... 1/2

The Entangled Fates of Plastics and Climate Change | Cambridge Prisms: Plastics | Cambridge Core

The Entangled Fates of Plastics and Climate Change

www.cambridge.org

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Reposted by Bethanie Carney Almroth

Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty @scientistscoa.bsky.social · Jun 26

✍️ Don't miss our new policy brief that explores the core elements of Article 5 and the important role of plastic product design.

➡️ Learn more: zenodo.org/records/1563...
📑 Explore our other policy briefs on the different Articles:

@scientistscoalition | Linktree

The Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty

linktr.ee

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Reposted by Bethanie Carney Almroth

Delphine Lévi Alvarès @dlevialvares.bsky.social · Jun 26

🌍 New Briefing Note by @ieefainstitute.bsky.social "Trade Measures Key to the Success of Global Regulation to Curb Plastic Pollution" highlights how strong trade provisions are essential to make the global plastics treaty effective.
🔗 tinyurl.com/yv3bzay8

Trade measures a cornerstone to the success of global regulation to curb plastic pollution

Plastics, across its lifecycle, is a globalized, interconnected market, so a lack of strong trade provisions would limit the effectiveness of the objectives of the proposed binding agreement.

tinyurl.com

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Reposted by Mark Petticrew, Bethanie Carney Almroth

Rob Ralston @policyrelevant.bsky.social · Jun 25

with the final round of UN plastic treaty negotiations in 4 weeks time, we've written a short piece that sets out the concept of a 'petrochemical historical bloc' to reveal the depth and extent of forces opposing strong global governance of plastic

The petrochemical historical bloc: Exposing the extent and depth of opposition to a high-ambition plastics treaty | Cambridge Prisms: Plastics | Cambridge Core

The petrochemical historical bloc: Exposing the extent and depth of opposition to a high-ambition plastics treaty

www.cambridge.org

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Bethanie Carney Almroth #PlasticsTreaty @bcarneyalmroth.bsky.social · Jun 23

Tagging Azora König Kardgar @theresekarlsson.bsky.social Sara Brosché Eric Carmona @toxicsfree.bsky.social

Bethanie Carney Almroth #PlasticsTreaty @bcarneyalmroth.bsky.social · Jun 23

For more information on chemicals in recycled PE, see our data in brief www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

And for more on how we can design #plastics and #policy to make recycling safer and more sustainable, read our commentary www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

A dataset of organic pollutants identified and quantified in recycled polyethylene pellets

Plastics are produced with a staggering array of chemical compounds, with many being known to possess hazardous properties, and others lacking compreh…

www.sciencedirect.com

Bethanie Carney Almroth #PlasticsTreaty @bcarneyalmroth.bsky.social · Jun 23

🐟 We then exposed #Zebrafish embryos to PE leachates and found changes in mRNA expression (behavior was not impacted).
🧬Affected genes are involved in #adipogenesis, lipid metabolism, and endocrine regulation. #EDC

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Bethanie Carney Almroth #PlasticsTreaty @bcarneyalmroth.bsky.social · Jun 23

⚗️ We found that the recycled plastic pellets contain hazardous chemicals that leach into water. Our analyses identified 84 chemicals - pharmaceuticals, pesticides and plastics additives in the water #NIAS #ToxicChemicals.

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Bethanie Carney Almroth #PlasticsTreaty @bcarneyalmroth.bsky.social · Jun 23

📢 NEW PAPER on #Chemicals in #RecycledPlastics! 📢

We collected recycled polyethylene (PE) pellets from small scale mechanical #recycling facilities, measured chemicals leaching out of the plastics into water and impacts in zebrafish.
#PlasticsTreaty #INC5-2

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Effects of leachates from black recycled polyethylene plastics on mRNA expression of genes involved in adipogenesis and endocrine pathways in zebrafish embryos

Black recycled polyethylene pellets were collected from India, Nigeria and Taiwan. These pellet samples were used to create water leachates (in zebraf…

www.sciencedirect.com

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Reposted by Bethanie Carney Almroth

John H @jhocevar.bsky.social · Jun 12

It is easy to be cynical about 30,000 people traveling to the French Riviera for a UN mtg with no decision making authority. But it came just before some huge moments for our oceans, and delivered real momentum for ocean sanctuaries, the #PlasticsTreaty, and a moratorium on #DeepSeaMining. #UNOC.

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Reposted by Bethanie Carney Almroth

Rob Ralston @policyrelevant.bsky.social · Jun 2

back on my archival research on Big Food and plastic pollution

This is the message to shareholders in PepsiCo's 1970 annual report, which boasts of the company's promising research into a 'burnable plastic bottle' that will solve the 'solid waste problem'

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Reposted by Bethanie Carney Almroth

Neil Tangri @tangri0.bsky.social · Jun 2

New paper out on #plasticcredits! Led by the inimitable
@moon-sc.bsky.social, we break down fundamental problems in #plastic credits, including those common to carbon offsetting as well as some issues unique to plastic -- like the lack of permanent removal. www.cell.com/one-earth/ab...

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Reposted by Bethanie Carney Almroth

GENeva Environment Network @genevaenvironmentnetwork.org · Jun 1

Protecting human rights means addressing risks posed by the full lifecycle of plastics to #HumanRights.

Join the #WorldEnvironmentDay celebration showing how #PlasticsTreaty must recognize that plastics are human rights issues.

📆 5 June, 9:00 CEST
🌍 tiny.cc/GENWED25

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Bethanie Carney Almroth #PlasticsTreaty @bcarneyalmroth.bsky.social · May 28

> The other will explain why evidence-based science is crucial to the success of the global plastics treaty. This discussion will link evidence-based science to the need for conflict-of-interest mitigation in science bodies, Indigenous knowledge, & human rights.

www.cawthron.org.nz/the-un-treat...

UNOC Event - The UN Treaty to End Plastic Pollution: Robust Science for Success - Cawthron Institute

The Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty welcomes you to two ‘fireside chats’ with scientists, plastics experts, and policymakers. One will explore how harmonised criteria and standa...

www.cawthron.org.nz

Bethanie Carney Almroth #PlasticsTreaty @bcarneyalmroth.bsky.social · May 28

> One chat will explore how harmonised criteria and standards for plastics could help drive down global plastic pollution if they were guided by independent science.

Photo of oil refinery - used a feedstock to produce plastics.

Petroleum is the # 1 most important energy source in modern civilization. Without it, society stops. Petroleum means "rock oil" and refers to naturally-occurring, rock-derived hydrocarbons in either fluid form (crude oil) or gaseous form (natural gas).

Crude oil needs to be processed into various products that are useful in society. This includes diesel fuel, ordinary gasoline, tar for asphalt, and chemicals for making everything from medicine to plastic.

Crude oil processing is fairly complex and takes place at oil refineries. Seen here is the Big Spring Refinery in Texas.

Locality: Big Spring Refinery, northern side of Interstate 20, east of the town of Big Spring, central Howard County, west-central Texas, USA.

Photo from wiki commons:
Big Spring Refinery (Big Spring, Texas, USA)
Author: James St. John https://flickr.com/photos/47445767@N05/48916806111

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Bethanie Carney Almroth #PlasticsTreaty @bcarneyalmroth.bsky.social · May 28

Are you attending the UN Oceans conference in Nice? Members of the @scientistscoa.bsky.social will be there! Join scientists, plastics experts, and policy-makers for two ‘fireside chats’ about how we can reduce, and ultimately eliminate, plastics pollution in the #PlasticsTreaty:
(Link below)

Plastics litter at the roots of a tree growing on a shoreline

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Reposted by Bethanie Carney Almroth

Olga Speranskaya @olgahej.bsky.social · May 24

@hejsupport.bsky.social side event on #transparency & #traceability of chemicals in products, held at #BRSCOP2025, examined the need for globally harmonized, legally binding systems to ensure transparency & traceability of hazardous substances, including in #plastics hej-support.org/why-is-it-im...

Why is it important to achieve transparency of information on chemicals in products?

A side event on the transparency and traceability of chemicals in products was held at the BRS COPs on May 7. It was organized by HEJSupport, SSNC, and groundWork South Africa, and moderated by Kei

hej-support.org

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Bethanie Carney Almroth #PlasticsTreaty @bcarneyalmroth.bsky.social · May 23

And I’m looking forward to diving into this!

Photo of cover of PhD dissertation - Embedded disposability , a cultural political economy of plastics by Karl Holmberg.

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