Biden-Harris admin wants to ban plastic utensils at federal agencies in hopes of affecting the weather



Congressional Republicans rolled their eyes after the Biden-Harris administration announced it would pare back the use of plastic cups and utensils at federal agencies in hopes of curtailing so-called "climate change."

Last month, the Biden-Harris team announced that it has been taking "ambitious action" to address plastic pollution at every phase of the plastic life cycle. As part of those efforts, officials want to phase out "procurement" of all single-use plastic food-service and packaging items from federal agencies by 2027 and "from all federal operations" by 2035.

'It’s more messaging and ridiculousness, and it’s a direct shot to that whole industry.'

Such single-use plastic and polystyrene straws, cups, cutlery, packaging, and disposable bags contribute to what a White House statement called a "plastic pollution crisis" that "disproportionately impact[s] communities with environmental justice concerns."

Biden and Harris carved out exceptions for cases of "national security." Apparently, single-use plastic cups and straws may be critical in protecting intelligence sources and undercover law enforcement from "unauthorized disclosure."

"Today’s actions further leverage the purchasing power of the federal government to reduce emissions, protect public health, and spur markets for new sustainable products. They also enhance domestic initiatives that reinforce United States leadership in ongoing international efforts to develop a strong agreement to tackle the plastic pollution crisis across the globe," the statement added.

Republicans laughed off these measures as "absurd" and impractical.

"It’s more messaging and ridiculousness, and it’s a direct shot to that whole industry," said Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma. "It’s also clearly not where everybody is. It’s going to raise costs for a lot of folks, so it seems to be just irrelevant on deficit issues."

Sen. Mike Lee of Utah suggested that Biden and Harris redirect their efforts toward reducing the size of government rather than the use of plastics. "They should shrink the government if they want it to be less of a consumer," Lee said.

As the new policy is most likely to impact "military bases" and other "government workplaces," Sen. Lee further wondered, "What about people who need things to go?"

Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota indicated that the timing of the announcement — less than a week after former President Donald Trump was nearly assassinated and less than a month before global stock markets tanked on news of a pending U.S. recession — could not have been worse.

"The world’s on fire and he’s worried about plastic forks," Rounds quipped.

"'Look, I certainly understand that plastics are a pollutant; we need to do a better job with it. But I'm a little bit hesitant to say that this plastic ban will be a good thing."

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Study finds microplastics in every single human and canine testicle: 'The plastic makes a difference'



A peer-reviewed study published last week in the official journal of the Society of Toxicology indicated that human and canine testicles are teeming with microplastics. This may help account for the precipitous global decline in male fertility.

Awash in microplastics

Nature Medicine noted in an editorial last month that the "world is awash" with over 6 billion tons of plastic.

'MNPs are found everywhere on the planet, including the oceans, air, and food supply.'

Roughly 353 million tons of plastic waste were produced in 2019 alone. Nature Medicine indicated that's particularly bad news since plastics contain over 10,000 chemicals, including endocrine disruptors and cancer-causing carcinogens, and can easily steal into the human body.

Plastics find their way into the human body in the form of tiny particles called microplastics (less than 5 mm in diameter) and nanoplastics (less than 1 μm in diameter). Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) can arise from a variety of sources, including by design, as in the case of microbeads used in cosmetic and personal care products, or inadvertently, as the result of degradation of larger plastic products, such as through the laundering of synthetic clothes or abrasion of tires. MNPs are found everywhere on the planet, including the oceans, air and food supply.

Blaze News previously detailed the findings of an Australian June 2023 study that suggested humans might be inhaling roughly 16.2 bits of plastic every hour — enough to make a credit card per week. These credit cards can prove costly.

According to the scientific journal, microplastics have been shown in rodent studies to adversely impact various organs, including the intestine, lungs, and liver along with the reproductive and nervous systems.

In terms of their impact on human beings — where they have been found polluting various organs along with placenta and breast milk — researchers have identified links between microplastics and various health conditions, including cardiovascular disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

It appears scientists may have come across yet another troubling link.

Devaluing the family jewels

Blaze News previously reported that sperm counts have been trending downward in men on every continent since at least 1973.

A 2022 peer-reviewed study published in the journal Human Reproduction Update confirmed a trend detailed by the same researchers years earlier in a groundbreaking meta-analysis. The researchers indicated that "this world-wide decline is continuing in the 21st century at an accelerated pace."

The study, led by Dr. Hagai Levine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Dr. Shanna Swan of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, revealed that the trend was "driven by a 50%-60% decline among men" in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

After combining the findings from over 250 other studies and increasing their sample size — so as to include men not already worried about their fertility — the researchers determined that between 1973 and 2018, sperm counts "declined appreciably," not just in Western men but in 53 countries across the world.

The sperm count decline has "become steeper since 2000," dropping by 1.4% per year and by 62.3% overall.

Declining sperm counts have been attributed to various factors, including chlormequat chloride, an agricultural chemical found in oat-based foods; mobile phone radiation exposure; and certain vaccines.

Microplastics are evidently another contender.

Plastic baggage

Researchers at the University of New Mexico recently studied 47 canine and 23 human testes. Every single testicle contained microplastics, polyethylene — used to make plastic bags and bottles — being the most prevalent.

'When I first received the results for dogs I was surprised. I was even more surprised when I received the results for humans.'

According to the University of New Mexico, the researchers chemically treated the testicle samples to dissolve the fat and proteins. They then spun each sample in an "ultracentrifuge, leaving a nugget of plastic at the bottom of a tube. Then, heated the plastic pellet in a metal cup to 600 degrees Celsius. They used a mass spectrometer to analyze gas emissions as different types of plastic burned at specific temperatures."

They found that the average concentration of microplastics in testicular tissue were 122.63 micrograms per gram in dogs and 328.44 micrograms per gram in humans.

"At the beginning, I doubted whether microplastics could penetrate the reproductive system," said Dr. Xiaozhong Yu, head of the research team. "When I first received the results for dogs I was surprised. I was even more surprised when I received the results for humans."

Matthew Campen, one of the authors of the study, told NPR the tiny particles are "shard-like, stabby bits."

The human testicles, which the Guardian reported were taken from the corpses of men between the ages of 16 and 88, had been chemically preserved such that their sperm count could not be measured. Researchers were, however, able to assess whether higher plastic contamination in the dog's testes corresponded with lower sperm counts.

Researcers found that high levels of PVC — the second-most prevalent polymer in dogs — correlated with a lower sperm count.

"The plastic makes a difference — what type of plastic might be correlated with potential function," said Yu. "PVC can release a lot of chemicals that interfere with spermatogenesis, and it contains chemicals that cause endocrine disruption."

The research team examined canine testicles in particular because "compared to rats and other animals, dogs are cloer to humans," said Yu. "We believe dogs and humans share common environmental factors that contribute to their decline.

"We don't want to scare people," continued Yu. "We want to scientifically provide the data and make people aware there are a lot of microplastics. We can make our own choices to better avoid exposures, change our lifestyle and change our behavior."

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

All I Want For Christmas Is Something That Won’t Break Immediately

If you must exchange Christmas gifts this year, let it be something old and sturdy. Let’s give the landfills a break.

Massachusetts governor to ban state agencies from buying single-use plastic bottles



Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat who took office earlier this year, has announced that she will issue an executive order to prohibit state agencies from buying single-use plastic bottles.

"We know that plastic waste, plastic production, are among the leading threats to our oceans, our climate, environmental justice. In government we have an obligation, we also have an opportunity to not only stop contributing to this damage, but to chart a better path forward. So we are proud to become the first state to adopt a procurement ban on single-use plastic bottles," Healey said during a speech at the Clinton Global Initiative 2023 Meeting.

The governor is promoting climate alarmist ideology.

"In our coastal state we know climate change is our biggest threat," she said during her speech.

A post on the @MassGovernor X account claims that in the state, "the climate crisis doesn't just threaten the health of our oceans. It puts our food, air, jobs, and homes all at risk."

— (@)

Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy has laid out a 10-point plan about how he would seek to tackle plastic pollution as president.

"I will support an ambitious international plastics treaty," Kennedy wrote in a piece discussing his plan.

"I will limit construction and expansion of plastic production facilities. Communities across America, often in socio-economically disadvantaged areas, have been fighting to protect themselves from plastic facilities," he also wrote.

"I will ban fracking, which provides the feedstock for most of the plastics produced in the U.S.," he declared.

— (@)

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Eco-friendly paper straws contain more toxic 'forever chemicals' than plastic straws, study finds



A new study found that a vast majority of so-called "eco-friendly" paper straws contain more toxic "forever chemicals" than plastic straws.

European researchers examined 39 brands of straws available in Belgian stores. The study analyzed straws made of paper, bamboo, glass, stainless steel, and plastic. The study sought to determine whether the straws contained a harmful group of synthetic chemicals known as poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS.

PFAS are a class of between 12,000 and 14,000 human-made chemicals that are made by combining fluorine and carbon.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences says of PFAS:

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large, complex group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in consumer products around the world since about the 1950s. They are ingredients in various everyday products. For example, PFAS are used to keep food from sticking to packaging or cookware, make clothes and carpets resistant to stains, and create firefighting foam that is more effective.

PFAS are commonly called "forever chemicals" because they do not degrade easily in the environment and barely break down in human bodies. The synthetic pollutants are known to be potentially harmful to humans, wildlife, and the environment.

The study published on Thursday in the Food Additives and Contaminants journal found that paper straws contained an alarming amount of forever chemicals – even more than plastic straws.

The new study found 90% of paper straws had PFAS, compared to 80% of bamboo straws, 75% of plastic straws, and 40% of glass straws. PFAS were not detected in any of the stainless steel straws.

"Straws made from plant-based materials, such as paper and bamboo, are often advertised as being more sustainable and eco-friendly than those made from plastic. However, the presence of PFAS in these straws means that’s not necessarily true," said Thimo Groffen, the study’s corresponding author.

"The presence of PFAS in paper and bamboo straws shows they are not necessarily biodegradable," Groffen added. "We did not detect any PFAS in stainless steel straws, so I would advise consumers to use this type of straw – or just avoid using straws at all."

Groffen said, "Small amounts of PFAS, while not harmful in themselves, can add to the chemical load already present in the body."

New Atlas reported, "The researchers say that while the study did not determine whether PFAS were added to the straws or were the result of contamination – for example, from the soil in which the plant-based materials are grown – the presence of the chemicals in almost every brand of paper straw means it’s likely that, in some cases, PFAS were used as a water-repellent coating. "

A 2021 study also found PFAS in paper straws.

"While the plastic straws had no measurable PFAS, 21 PFAS were detected in the paper and other plant-based straws," the study said.

A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 97% of Americans have PFAS in their bodies.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warns that "exposure to certain PFAS may lead to adverse health outcomes." Studies have shown that exposure to certain levels of PFAS may lead to decreased fertility, developmental issues in children, increased risk of some cancers, reduced ability of the body's immune system, and interference with hormones.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

FACT CHECK: You Will Not Be Fined $800 For Releasing Balloons In Michigan As of April 2023.

The legislation has not been voted on yet

Nanny state: Canadian government to prohibit single-use plastic items such as cutlery, straws, and grocery bags



The Canadian government is cracking down on the manufacture, importation, and sale of various single-use plastic items such as checkout bags, cutlery, and more.

The ban will be implemented in phases, with the prohibition against manufacturing and importing many of the plastic products slated to take effect later this year.

"The ban on the manufacture and import of these harmful single-use plastics, barring a few targeted exceptions to recognize specific cases, will come into effect in December 2022," according to a government press release. "To provide businesses in Canada with enough time to transition and to deplete their existing stocks, the sale of these items will be prohibited as of December 2023. The Government will also prohibit the export of plastics in the six categories by the end of 2025, making Canada the first among peer jurisdictions to do so internationally."

Plastic straws are on the chopping block, with some exceptions. Retail stores will be permitted to sell flexible plastic straws bundled in a pack of 20 or more upon request, but they must keep the product out of sight. Medical institutions will not be blocked from giving patients flexible plastic straws.

"Manufacture and import of [single-use plastic] flexible straws are not prohibited under the Regulations, but sale of SUP flexible straws is only permitted in specific circumstances," according to guidelines about the regulations. "These flexible straws are considered more accessible than straight straws as they can bend and maintain their position."

"By the end of the year, you won’t be able to manufacture or import these harmful plastics. After that, businesses will begin offering the sustainable solutions Canadians want, whether that’s paper straws or reusable bags. With these new regulations, we're taking a historic step forward in reducing plastic pollution, and keeping our communities and the places we love clean," Canada's Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault said, according to the press release.

In response to a tweet from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the regulations, Keean Bexte declared, "All you've done is convinced me to import a lifetime supply of straws (enough of every kind). You can peel them out of my cold dead hands."

"How are you going to jet across the world polluting the air more than any other person in Canada and then ban us peasants from using grocery bags," someone else tweeted.

"@JustinTrudeau how about you ban them for your family and leave the rest of canada out if it. Have you ever drank a slurpee with a paper straw?? It's the worst!! #JustinTrudeau ruiner of slurpees in canada!!" someone else tweeted.

\u201c@JustinTrudeau how about you ban them for your family and leave the rest of canada out if it.\nHave you ever drank a slurpee with a paper straw?? It's the worst!! \n#JustinTrudeau ruiner of slurpees in canada!!\u201d
— Kelly (@Kelly) 1655852942

Microplastics have been recorded in freshly fallen snow on Antarctica



Microplastics have been found in freshly fallen snow in Antarctica for the first time in recorded history.

The Guardian reported that this unnatural development poses a distinct threat to the health of Antarctica’s unique ecosystems and could accelerate the melting of the continents ice and snow.

Microplastics — which are individually smaller than a grain of rice —have previously been found in Antarctic Sea ice and surface water but this is the first time in recorded history that they have been found in fresh snowfall.

Research conducted by Alex Aves, a PhD student from the University of Canterbury, and his supervisor Dr. Laura Revell, chronicled the recent phenomenon.

For his research, Aves collected snow samples from the Ross Ice Shelf in late 2019 to determine whether microplastics had been transferred rom the atmosphere into the snow. Until Aves conducted this research, there had been very little research about the presence of microplastics on the continent of Antarctica.

Dr. Revell said, “We were optimistic that she wouldn’t find any microplastics in such a pristine and remote location.”

Dr. Revell indicated that she had instructed Aves to also collect samples from various established roadways on the continent, where microplastics have previously been recorded, so that “she’d have at least some microplastics to study.”

As it turns out, Dr. Revell’s precautions were unnecessary as plastic particles were found in every one of the 19 samples Aves gathered from the Ross Ice Shelf.

Aves said, “It’s incredibly sad but finding microplastics in fresh Antarctic snow highlights the extent of plastic pollution into even the most remote regions of the world.”

Aves found an average of 29 microplastic particles per liter of melted snow, which is reportedly higher than recorded marine concentrations that were gathered from the surrounding Ross Sea and Antarctic Sea ice.

There were 13 different types of microplastic found in the samples Aves gathered. The most common type found was PET which is commonly used in the manufacture of plastic drink bottles and clothing.

Atmospheric modeling suggested that these microplastics may have traveled thousands of kilometers through the air as it is unlikely that the humans currently residing in Antarctica have caused enough plastic pollution to generate the requisite concentration of microplastics in the atmosphere.

Microplastics and plastic pollution have become remarkably far spread as they reportedly been found at the summit of Mount Everest and in the depths of the planet’s oceans.

People inadvertently eat and breathe microplastics according to some studies and other studies found that microplastic particles cause damage to human cells. One study from 2021 found that airborne microplastics are “spiraling around the globe.”

Trudeau says businesses are 'innovative' enough to find replacements for single use plastics

The Trudeau government is moving full steam ahead with the ban on single use plastics, which will be permanent law by the end of 2021. Unfortunately, businesses have no idea how to deal with it.

'Not fair game': Plastic industry calls out Trudeau Liberals over labelling of products as 'toxic'

The banned products include "checkout bags, straws, stir packs, six-pack rings, cutlery, and food-ware made from hard-to-recycle plastics."