We’re into the home stretch of summer, which doesn’t technically end until September 22nd, but enjoy casual Fridays and the school bus free roads for the next two weeks or so! This week our ENR choices for you include a firefly primer; yet another attempt to get a plastic pollution treaty signed in Geneva; chemical company DuPont and two others settle with New Jersey on PFAS suit; and how to recycle your aluminum and steel cans right so that they actually get made back into cans! 

Let’s Get to Know the Glow! Fireflies around the Chesapeake Watershed – Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, July 14, 2025

Did you know that there are over 270 firefly species in North America and one of them, Photuris pennsylvanica, is the Pennsylvania State insect? Virginia’s state insect is the Swallowtail butterfly but maybe we need an evening insect.This article is a little primer on fireflies of the Chesapeake Bay, and how to maintain a healthy ecosystem that will attract them to your yard, including how our Maryland readers can participate in a research project on the fireflies in Maryland.

Nations gather in Geneva to again confront the world’s spiraling plastic pollution crisis – AP News, August 5, 2025

For the 6th (and final?) time, nations are in Geneva this week to try to work out a treaty to deal with the plastic pollution crisis that faces the whole world. While most countries are on board with limited production of plastic, some oil producing nations, including the US, have made their position clear that they will not sign a treaty that curbs the production of more plastic. In order for the treaty to go forward, all countries must sign on.

New Jersey says 3 chemical makers agree to ‘forever chemical’ settlement worth up to $2 billion – AP News, August 4, 2025

DuPont, Chemours and Corteva, will pay New Jersey up to $2 billion over 25 years to settle environmental claims relating to PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances), referred to as “forever chemicals,” chemicals that have commonly made up non-stick cookware, water proof clothing, as well as fire suppression materials. These chemicals do not break down and stay in our environment “forever” making their way into water systems. 

Recycling Aluminum Cans? Stop Crushing Them and Do It the Right Way – CNET, August 3, 2025

Metal and aluminum cans are a great household item to recycle especially in the age of steel and aluminum tariffs, but if you don’t do it right, you’re dooming your hard work to the landfill or incinerator!