California lawsuit alleges Exxon misled consumers about plastics recycling
Less than 10% of plastics in the U.S. are recycled.
Recycling
Where plastic pollution ends up
The world is struggling to manage growing piles of plastic waste, and a new report is bringing to light the problem of burning plastics. Annually, the world produces 440 million tons of plastic each year, but the majority of plastic is often tossed in the trash. CBS News senior national and environmental correspondent Ben Tracy has more.
Houston's plastic waste piles up waiting for "advanced" recycling
Houston seeks to be a national model for plastic recycling. But a program that started in 2022 hasn't yet found its footing.
"Advanced recycling" lagging behind in Houston
So-called advanced recycling has been touted as a way to recycle every type of plastic, which would help cut down on the problem of plastic waste. But a program is Houston is lagging behind, as the waste piles up in a warehouse. Ben Tracy has the story.
LEGO to scale up use of renewable plastics in its bricks
The legacy toy company is increasing the certified renewable or recycled materials that go into its bricks in an effort to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
Is plastic recycling effective?
A Houston program funded in large part by oil and plastic producers claims to recycle any type of plastic. CBS News senior national and environmental correspondent Ben Tracy has more on his investigation into the program's claims.
Is plastic recycling a myth?
Houston, Texas, says its new recycling program can handle any type of plastic and the city is touting it as a model for the nation. In collaboration with the nonprofit Inside Climate News, CBS News' Ben Tracy looked into whether the claims are too good to be true.
Critics call out plastics industry over "fraud of plastic recycling"
Only 5 to 6% of plastic waste produced in the U.S. is actually recycled. A new report accuses the plastics industry of a decades-long campaign to "mislead" the public about the viability of recycling.
Critics call out recycling "fraud" by plastics industry
About 48 million tons of plastic waste is generated in the United States each year, but only 5 to 6 percent of it is actually recycled. A new report from the Center for Climate Integrity, "The Fraud of Plastic Recycling," accuses the plastics industry of a decades-long campaign to "mislead" the public about the viability of recycling. Correspondent Ben Tracy talks with the report's co-author, Davis Allen, and with Jan Dell, a former chemical engineer, about an inconvenient truth surrounding the lifecycle of plastic. [Originally broadcast April 14, 2024.]
5/14: CBSN AM
Deadly plane crash over Alaska; JLo's daughter shows off her singing skills
4/1: CBSN AM
Nipsey Hussle murdered; Recycling Wrong.
Paving the way to a greener future
According to the University of California, Davis, residential energy use is responsible for 20% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. However, one company is helping residential buildings reduce their impact and putting carbon to use. CBS News' Bradley Blackburn shows how the process works.
Starbucks unveils new cold drink cups that use less plastic
Starbucks unveiled the new cups ahead of Earth Day and as a new report warns plastic production emissions are even greater than those from aviation.
E-waste growing at record levels: U.N. report
A new U.N. report found that global electronic waste is growing five times faster than rates of recycling, with 62 million metric tons of e-waste produced in 2022. That's up 82% from 2010. CBS News' Seth Doane has more.
Electronic waste is growing 5 times faster than it's being recycled
From cell phones to freezers, e-waste is trashing the planet – and a new report says the world isn't doing enough to stop it from getting worse.
Blueland CEO's fight against plastic waste
As part of our "Changing the Game" series, we're highlighting Sarah Paiji Yoo. She is the co-founder and CEO of Blueland, which specializes in eco-friendly cleaning products and is on a mission to eliminate single-use plastic.
Starbucks rolls out reusable cup option in move to cut waste
Starbucks will now allow its baristas to serve beverages in cups provided by customers at drive-thrus in the U.S. and Canada.
Researchers study ocean impact of microplastics
A recent study estimates there are now 170 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean. A team of international scientists working on a research vessel off the coast of Panama are seeking to understand the impact of microplastics on the oceans and our health. Ben Tracy has details.
Nonprofit seeks to give building materials new life
If historic homes are the fabric of Savannah, Georgia, Mae Bowley is the thread salvaging precious materials from those about to be torn down. Janet Shamlian has the story.
14-year-old entrepreneur works to make change
As a toddler, Ryan Hickman started collecting and sorting bottles and cans. More than a decade later, he's just 14, and Ryan's Recycling is a full-fledged business spanning much of Southern California, with almost a dozen employees and plenty of accolades. Carter Evans reports.
Startup uses tires to make EV batteries
The batteries needed to power electric vehicles have long been questioned for their sustainability. And now, one Chilean startup wants to help make them more eco-friendly – by recycling used tires.
Used tires could help expand market for electric vehicle batteries
As demand for electric vehicles continues to grow, one startup company in Chile is looking to recycle old tires to help make them more sustainable.
Teen's recycling business still going strong
Ryan Hickman began collecting bottles for recycling when he was just 3 years old. Now, at 14, he's still going, earning money for college and giving back to his community. Carter Evans has the story.
The tragic cost of e-waste and new efforts to recycle
The vast majority of electronic waste produced each year winds up in landfills in the global South, creating hazardous and toxic conditions. "Sunday Morning" examines efforts to ramp up formal recycling and extending the life of products like smartphones.
A breakthrough in recycling clothes
Prince William will announce the five winners of the 2023 Earthshot prizes, handed out to people working to solve climate change. One finalist from the U.S. has cracked the code for recycling clothing. Ben Tracy has the story.
Exclusive
New photos show widespread damage at U.S. positions caused by Iranian attacks
The images were sent to CBS News by active service members under condition of anonymity.
Exclusive
Family blames Texas' "merciless" abortion ban for woman's death, sues Paxton, others
The family of 37-year-old Tierra Walker filed a lawsuit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and others, saying she was denied an abortion that could have saved her life.
Patel defends lowering hiring standards related to prostitution, bestiality
Tuesday's hearing marked the first time that Patel has publicly addressed the new hiring standards related to prostitution, employment theft and bestiality.
Live
White House backs Hegseth as new details come out about Iran war's cost
The Iran war has cost the U.S. military at least $33.4 billion — most of it on munitions — and not including hundreds of millions more spent by other agencies, the Pentagon says.
Exclusive
Ukrainian president tells CBS News Russia targeted his plane with drones
Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia targeted his plane with drones as part of a campaign to intimidate him and other foreign leaders.
House votes to limit Trump's power to strike Iran for 3rd time
The previous votes have failed to stop President Trump from waging war with Iran.
Board votes to close Kennedy Center immediately for renovations, source says
Earlier Tuesday, a federal judge again blocked the board from adding President Trump's name to the facade of the building.
DOJ accuses Russian intel agents of plotting to murder U.S.-based dissident
The Justice Department is accusing several members of Russia's intelligence services of running a "global assassination network" that targeted Kremlin critics.
Trump admin. will comply with mail ballot ruling by Supreme Court, Blanche says
The Supreme Court on Monday blocked the Postal Service from enforcing new mail voting rules ahead of the midterm elections.
U.S.
More U.S.
Ross Fire still burning, with over 90,000 acres scorched
The wildfire, which has torn through Palo Pinto and Jack counties, forced evacuations, closed roads and disrupted schools.
Coast Guard, FBI boarded Texas-bound oil tanker to investigate cyberattack
The U.S. has so far not attributed the potential breach to a specific actor, but Iranian state media amplified the story in the weeks following the attack.
House votes to limit Trump's power to strike Iran for 3rd time
The previous votes have failed to stop President Trump from waging war with Iran.
Exclusive
Family blames Texas' "merciless" abortion ban for woman's death, sues Paxton, others
The family of 37-year-old Tierra Walker filed a lawsuit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and others, saying she was denied an abortion that could have saved her life.
Ed Sheeran's supporting acts pull out of tour after Macklemore was dropped
Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas all released statements Tuesday on Instagram saying they were withdrawing from Ed Sheeran's tour.
MoneyWatch
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Own a car? You're getting socked by higher prices, and not only for gas
Car ownership costs have soared 50% since 2020, according to new economic data. Here's where motorists are getting dinged.
OpenAI backs measure that would require independent audits of AI models
Top OpenAI executive endorses plan that would require AI companies to submit their technology to third-party reviews to assess their safety.
Americans' incomes hit a record high in 2025. Now for the bad news.
The typical U.S. household's annual earnings have risen only 2.5% since 2019, new data from the Census Bureau shows.
Fed rate hike expected on Wednesday. See what it means for your money.
The Federal Reserve is likely to raise borrowing costs on Wednesday, and more hikes could be in store, according to economists.
Your home heating oil bill is likely to jump this winter. Here's why.
Millions of homeowners will face higher heating costs this winter because of surging global oil prices, according to a new forecast.
Politics
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House votes to limit Trump's power to strike Iran for 3rd time
The previous votes have failed to stop President Trump from waging war with Iran.
DOJ accuses Russian intel agents of plotting to murder U.S.-based dissident
The Justice Department is accusing several members of Russia's intelligence services of running a "global assassination network" that targeted Kremlin critics.
Exclusive
Family blames Texas' "merciless" abortion ban for woman's death, sues Paxton, others
The family of 37-year-old Tierra Walker filed a lawsuit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and others, saying she was denied an abortion that could have saved her life.
Trump admin. will comply with mail ballot ruling by Supreme Court, Blanche says
The Supreme Court on Monday blocked the Postal Service from enforcing new mail voting rules ahead of the midterm elections.
Massie introduces impeachment articles against Hegseth over Iran war
Rep. Thomas Massie accused Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of defying Congress with the Iran war, suppressing free speech and other offenses.
HealthWatch
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Outcome of employment lawsuit could promote use of skimpy health plans
A long-running lawsuit challenging what it means to be an employee and therefore have access to work-based health plans is being closely watched by health policy analysts.
Pennsylvania woman dies of measles complications, coroner reports
A 40-year-old woman died on Saturday from complications associated with measles, the coroner reported.
Strange symptom and a "weird" referral led to surprise Stage 4 cancer diagnosis
Kate Ping thought she was just stressed out. A nurse practitioner's surprising recommendation led to a shocking diagnosis.
Trump admin. to send $500 checks to nearly 1 million ACA enrollees
Affordable Care Act recipients in 30 states are set to receive the $500 checks starting in October. Here's why.
Record-setting cyclospora outbreak is over, U.S. health officials say
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there is no longer a risk of people getting sick with cyclosporiasis from this outbreak and is confident that all related iceberg lettuce is off the market.
World
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Coast Guard, FBI boarded Texas-bound oil tanker to investigate cyberattack
The U.S. has so far not attributed the potential breach to a specific actor, but Iranian state media amplified the story in the weeks following the attack.
House votes to limit Trump's power to strike Iran for 3rd time
The previous votes have failed to stop President Trump from waging war with Iran.
DOJ accuses Russian intel agents of plotting to murder U.S.-based dissident
The Justice Department is accusing several members of Russia's intelligence services of running a "global assassination network" that targeted Kremlin critics.
Exclusive
New photos show widespread damage at U.S. positions caused by Iranian attacks
The images were sent to CBS News by active service members under condition of anonymity.
Iran war could cost $2 billion per month, Congressional Budget Office estimates
The Congressional Budget Office estimated the war between Feb. 28 and Aug. 1 has directly cost the U.S. about $38 billion.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
Ed Sheeran breaks silence amid controversy
The rapper Macklemore was bumped from Ed Sheeran's U.S. concert tour for pro-Palestinian comments that some say crossed a line into prejudice. Now, four additional supporting acts have quit in solidarity and the headliner has addressed the controversy. Carter Evans reports.
Ed Sheeran's supporting acts pull out of tour after Macklemore was dropped
Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas all released statements Tuesday on Instagram saying they were withdrawing from Ed Sheeran's tour.
Food & Wine unveils list of "Best New Chefs"
Food & Wine reveals its list of "Best New Chefs" this week. One of those talents is Masako Morishita of Perry's Restaurant in Washington, D.C., who joins to discuss her career move from NFL cheerleader to D.C. food icon and share one of her favorite recipes.
Elin Hilderbrand and daughter on latest book
Elin Hilderbrand, who wrote hit summer reads like "The Perfect Couple" and "28 Summers," joins "CBS Mornings" with her daughter Shelby Cunningham to discuss the latest book in their co-written The Academy Series, titled "The Thoroughbreds."
Remembering Bob Mackie's most iconic looks
Bob Mackie, who bedazzled stars like Cher, Carol Burnett and Marilyn Monroe, died at 87. "CBS Mornings" looks back at some of his legendary looks.
Technology
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Technology
Lawmakers differ on AI legislation
The growing concerns over AI safety brought together two people from opposite sides of the political spectrum on Tuesday: Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon. Washington Post tech reporter Gerrit De Vynk joins CBS News to discuss where AI legislation stands.
Congress reacts to tech leaders' AI warnings
Congress is reacting to warnings from AI leaders that the technology poses existential dangers. Rep. Bill Foster joins "The Daily Report" to discuss.
How AI powered robots are helping small farms
From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.
Sanders, Bannon call for AI regulation
Sen. Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon are both pushing the Trump administration to regulate artificial intelligence as industry leaders warn of risks to humanity. CBS News' Caitlin Huey-Burns has more.
OpenAI backs measure that would require independent audits of AI models
Top OpenAI executive endorses plan that would require AI companies to submit their technology to third-party reviews to assess their safety.
Science
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Anthropic CEO says "exponential" growth of AI is a "warning sign"
Artificial intelligence technology is developing at an "exponential" rate, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei told CBS News, calling the situation a "warning sign" for the industry that requires serious safeguards.
First-ever adult T. rex trackway found in North Dakota
Paleontologists have identified the first known trackway made by a full-grown Tyrannosaurus rex, and the discovery was made in the North Dakota badlands.
Ig Nobel prizes go to scientists studying cockroach milk, nose-blowing, more
Ten research teams were honored at a satirical science awards ceremony that was hosted outside the U.S. for the first time due to travel concerns. A study of cockroach milk was among the winners.
Vote on the fattest marmot now
Marmots, not bears, are the largest "true" hibernating mammal, UCLA marmot researchers Katie Adler and Emily Renkey say. The two share more fun facts about these cute creatures and explain how to vote for the fattest marmot.
NASA plans to launch new space telescope
NASA's new telescope could change the way we see space. With a wide-field camera that will reveal an area up to 200 times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope, and an orbit a million miles from Earth, the Nancy Grace Roman telescope is expected to find tens of thousands of unknown exoplanets.
Crime
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Crime
Man arrested for alleged ISIS plot
A 21-year-old Pennsylvania man has been arrested for allegedly plotting what could have been a "mass casualty attack" inspired by ISIS, federal officials say. CBS News' Anna Schecter has more.
Investigators believe fireworks triggered wildfire
In Washington state, investigators said they believe illegal fireworks, shot from the back of a pickup truck, sparked a nearly 10,000-acre deadly wildfire earlier this summer. Jason Allen reports.
Stolen Tesla barrels down boardwalk
A man racing a stolen Tesla down a crowded boardwalk hit a woman, setting off a wild chase involving lots of witnesses, including one recording it all on a pair of smart glasses. Jonah Kaplan reports.
FBI foils ISIS-inspired plot in Pennsylvania
The FBI said it thwarted a "mass casualty attack," inspired by ISIS, allegedly by a 21-year-old man in Pennsylvania. Agents allegedly tracked the young man to a hotel where they arrested him. It's the second ISIS-related plot to surface since August. Nicole Sganga reports.
FBI: Pennsylvania man was planning ISIS attack
A 21-year-old Pennsylvania man planned to carry out an ISIS-inspired "mass casualty attack" before being thwarted by the FBI, federal law enforcement officials say. CBS News' Anna Schecter has more.
Space
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NASA launches its Roman Space Telescope to explore the hidden universe
NASA's Roman Space Telescope launched shortly after daybreak from Kennedy Space Center and blazed toward an observation point 1 million miles away.
Roman Space Telescope promises 300-megapixel views of the cosmos
The $4.3 billion telescope is expected to discover tens of thousands of exoplanets while probing the nature of mysterious dark matter and energy.
First on CBS
Trump to honor Artemis II crew with nation's top space medal
President Trump plans to award the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the crew of NASA's Artemis II mission in a ceremony Aug. 28.
NASA's Swift telescope will plunge toward Earth after rescue mission called off
The mission to save NASA's sinking space telescope has been called off, dooming the telescope to a fiery reentry later this year.
NASA images show 60-foot-wide crater on moon after SpaceX rocket booster crash
A NASA spacecraft circling the moon is providing the sharpest views yet of the crater carved by a crashing SpaceX rocket.
Latest Galleries
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Notable Deaths in 2026
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Dolly Parton: An extraordinary life in pictures
Dolly Parton, the country music legend who became a feminist icon, has died at the age of 80. Here is a look back at her life in pictures.
Investigating the death of designer Sylvie Cachay
Sylvie Cachay was found dead in an overflowing bathtub at the exclusive Soho House in New York City on Dec. 9, 2010. A water leak at the hotel gave away a timeline that may have revealed her killer.
Summer music highlights of 2026
Summer is the time to enjoy live music, indoors and out. Scroll through our gallery of some of 2026's leading musical acts, featuring images by CBS News photojournalist Jake Barlow and photographers Ed Spinelli and Kirstine Walton.
Photos show celebrations at Obama Presidential Center
The Obama Presidential Center, museum and library opens in Chicago with a star-studded grand opening ceremony and public watch party on Midway Plaisance.
Latest CBS News Videos
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Latest CBS News Videos
AG Blanche on SCOTUS mail ballot decision
Attorney General Todd Blanche told CBS News' Ed O'Keefe on Tuesday "of course" the White House will comply with a Supreme Court decision that keeps in place a lower court ruling that blocked the U.S. Postal Service from enforcing new regulations for mail voting.
9/15: The Takeout with Major Garrett
Trump slams Supreme Court for blocking Postal Service rules for mail ballots; Congress reacts to AI safety warnings.
Extended Interview: Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks with CBS News' Aidan Stretch about the state of the war, Russia's recent escalation, U.S. support and more.
Stocks dive ahead of expected Fed rate hike
Stocks stayed in the red on Tuesday ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision on Wednesday. CBS News contributor Javier David has a preview of the meeting.
Lawmakers differ on AI legislation
The growing concerns over AI safety brought together two people from opposite sides of the political spectrum on Tuesday: Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon. Washington Post tech reporter Gerrit De Vynk joins CBS News to discuss where AI legislation stands.