A New Study Shows that Plastic Waste from Beverages and Food is a Big Contributor in Plastic Pollution

A study published in journal Science Advances analyzed the data that was taken from different litter surveys between 2018 to 2022 in 84 countries. These data sets were collected from different volunteers who picked 1.8 million plastic from parks, beaches, roads and other public places around the world. By knowing this data, researchers did a rough estimation about how much plastic waste is being produced by plastic companies all over the world.

According to the findings, Coca-Cola Company is the biggest source of plastic waste and makes 11% of all the plastic waste in the world. Next comes PepsiCo with 5% plastic waste followed by Nestle and Danone which contributed to 3% each of the total plastic waste. Altria, which is the biggest producer of tobacco, cigarettes and products related to these things produce 2% of the total plastic waste in the world. These big five companies make 24% of the total plastic waste. 56 companies make half of plastic waste which is a concerning world’s litter problem.

When the volunteers were picking plastic waste, most of it didn’t have any brand or company name. The researchers say that this means that the percentage of plastic waste from these big five companies is probably higher than their estimation. The researchers also want relevant authorities to take preventive measures to decrease the plastic waste.

The biggest reason for global plastic waste is food and beverages. The single-use packaging is one of the biggest reasons for plastic pollution. The candy wrapper or plastic bottle you throw away immediately contributes to more plastic pollution than a detergent bottle being used for months before getting thrown away.

The researchers said that the solution to this plastic pollution is to decrease the plastic production. Brand managers and policy makers should do something to reduce plastic pollution that is very harmful for the environment.

Image: DIW-Aigen

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Report by Pew Research Shows that 73% of US Citizens are in Favor or Press Freedom

Pew Research conducted a new study about the thoughts of US citizens on freedom of press. 73% of the Americans think freedom of press is extremely important while 18% say that it is somewhat important. 78% of Asians and White US citizens are in favor of freedom of press while 60% Black Americans and 61% of Hispanics have similar thoughts.

Pew says that the thoughts of Americans about freedom of press are not varied with the political party they support. What makes people differ from their opinion about freedom of press is educational income levels. The Americans with higher educational and salary levels are more likely to support freedom of press as compared to those who are less educational and have low income levels.

Even with the positivity of Americans about freedom of press, only 33% believe that the media is completely free to report whatever it likes while 46% are somewhat in favor of the media reporting anything. 18% of Americans are not very sure if the media can report anything it likes or not. What’s interesting is that 84% of the US media and news outlets are interested in reporting corporate and finance news while 83% are influenced by governmental and political interests. This diversity of news is influenced by what political party they support. 60% of the Republicans say that financial interests are influencing media while 45% of Democrats say media is influenced by governmental interests. 67% of the Republicans say that their interests affect the press while Democrats(34%) say the same.

38% of the Democrats also say that news outlets are free to report whatever they like as compared to 29% of the Republicans. Republicans are also worried about some restrictions in news outlets(49%). 51% of the Americans say that fake news should always be prevented even if this means restricting press freedom but 46% say that freedom of press should be developed no matter what.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Google Search Ad Costs Rise as Click Growth Slows

Google Search remains the leading platform in paid media, but it is becoming an expensive option as the number of clicks continues to decline. In the first quarter of 2024, spending on search ads in the U.S. increased by 17% compared to the same period last year. However, the growth in clicks has slowed down significantly, with only a 4% increase this year, which is half the rate of the last quarter of 2023.

The cost per click (CPC) has risen by 13% over the past year, a higher increase than the 9% seen in the previous quarter. This increase in CPC is largely due to higher costs in both standard and PMax shopping ads. Specifically, PMax campaigns, which are designed to optimize ad performance, showed improved metrics over standard shopping campaigns. They had a conversion rate that was only slightly lower but a cost per click that was more favorable.

Retailers have been particularly affected, with a 40-50% rise in CPCs over the past five years. From the first quarter of 2023 to the same quarter in 2024, the median CPC for Google retail search ads went up by about 20%. This trend is problematic for advertisers as increasing costs and decreasing clicks reduce the effectiveness and affordability of their ad campaigns.

During the peak shopping season of the fourth quarter of 2023, 91% of retailers running shopping ads on Google were using PMax campaigns. This number remained stable into the first quarter of 2024, showing that PMax continues to be a key strategy for most advertisers on Google.

The report on these trends, produced by Tinuiti, uses data from advertising programs it manages. This data reflects consistent advertising strategies and provides insights into the same-client growth but does not necessarily represent the performance across all advertisers or platforms. This rising trend in CPC amidst falling clicks indicates challenging times ahead for advertisers who rely heavily on Google's platform.

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by Mahrukh Shahid via Digital Information World

TikTok Ban Threatens Jobs, California Senator Cautions

President Joe Biden recently signed a law that may lead to a ban on TikTok or force its sale. This decision followed quick approvals by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The popular app, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, is now facing legal battles.

California Senator Laphonza Butler, who supported the legislation, has raised concerns about the impact of such a ban on American jobs.

She highlighted that around 8,000 people work for TikTok in the United States, primarily in California and New York. The potential ban or forced sale of TikTok could put these jobs and the workers' families at risk.

Butler urged the Biden administration to think about the American workers who might be affected by these decisions. She pointed out the significant role these employees have played in TikTok's success and emphasized the need for a balanced approach that considers labor and economic impacts alongside national security concerns.

Historically, attempts to ban TikTok have faced legal hurdles. Former President Donald Trump's executive order to ban the app was blocked by the courts in 2020. Similarly, a state ban in Montana was overturned in November 2023 after a judge ruled it unconstitutional.

Support for TikTok also comes from civil rights groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). They argue that banning TikTok could suppress free speech and limit Americans' access to international media and information. Activists stress that such a move would infringe on the First Amendment rights of U.S. citizens.

The debate continues as the administration weighs the risks against potential impacts on thousands of American workers and their families. Former President Donald Trump's executive order to ban the app was blocked by the courts in 2020. Similarly, a state ban in Montana was overturned in November 2023 after a judge ruled it unconstitutional.

Support for TikTok also comes from civil rights groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). They argue that banning TikTok could suppress free speech and limit Americans' access to international media and information. Activists stress that such a move would infringe on the First Amendment rights of U.S. citizens.

The debate continues as the administration weighs the risks against potential impacts on thousands of American workers and their families.

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by Mahrukh Shahid via Digital Information World

Google to Fix Privacy Issues on Android TVs

Google has started updating Android TV software to prevent a privacy issue that could let people access the owner's emails. Android TV’s, which come with the Android operating system, usually keep the user logged into their Google account.

This setup makes it easy to use apps from the Play Store without having to log in every time. However, it also meant that anyone with access to the TV could potentially view emails and other personal information.

The problem was highlighted when YouTuber Cameron Gray demonstrated how to install the Chrome browser on an Android TV. Although Chrome is not officially available on Android TVs, Gray showed that it could be installed by downloading it from an online archive using a third-party web browser called TV Bro.

Once installed, it was possible to visit Gmail using Chrome, even though the browser is not designed to be used with TV remotes and requires a keyboard and mouse.

This issue was brought to Google's attention through a video shared by Senator Ron Wyden's office. Initially, Google responded by stating this behavior was expected and did not pose a security threat. However, after further consideration, Google has decided to address the loophole.

• Also read: Amnesty International Highlights Global Disregard for International Law

A Google spokesperson has mentioned that most devices with the latest Google TV software are already protected against this issue. Google is working on updates for other devices to ensure all are secure.

They also advised users to keep their devices updated to avoid such privacy risks.

For extra safety, Google suggests that users might want to consider setting up a separate "family" Google account for their Android TV. This account could be added as a member of Google Family, allowing access to apps like YouTube TV while ensuring personal viewing preferences and history are kept private. This is a good option for users who are worried about their privacy when others are around.

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by Mahrukh Shahid via Digital Information World

Amnesty International Highlights Global Disregard for International Law

Amnesty International, a prominent human rights organization, has released its annual report. It warns of a serious breakdown of international law across the world.

The report criticizes the world's most powerful governments, countries and corporate actors for their role in this decline. It states that these entities have created an atmosphere that disregards international rules and values established after World War Two.

The report points out severe violations in regions like Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Myanmar. It blames powerful governments, particularly the US, Russia, and China, for leading this global disregard. These countries are accused of failing to uphold the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, resulting in severe consequences for civilians caught in conflicts.

Amnesty International’s report expresses concern over the actions of Israel and the inaction of its allies. These actions are the root cause behind the significant civilian suffering in Gaza and Palestine.

It notes the US's failure to condemn rights violations by Israel and its use of veto power in the UN Security Council to block a ceasefire resolution in Gaza. Russia's aggressive actions in Ukraine and China's support for military forces in Myanmar and its treatment of the Uyghur minority are also highlighted as major concerns.

The report covers the human rights situation in 155 countries and shows a worrying trend against women’s rights and gender equality in 2023. It discusses the suppression of women's protests in Iran, the Taliban's policies in Afghanistan that remove women from public life, and restrictive abortion laws in the US and Poland.

Additionally, the report warns about the dangers of new technologies. It suggests that advancements in artificial intelligence and mass surveillance could exacerbate conflicts, infringe on personal freedoms, and disrupt important elections.

These technologies, if not regulated, could be used to discriminate, spread misinformation, and create divisions among people.

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by Mahrukh Shahid via Digital Information World

Inside Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López’s Disruptive Digital-First Strategy for Hawkers

Like it or not, digital innovation isn’t a trend; it's a revolution. Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López, president of disruptive sunglasses brand Hawkers, has been a pivotal force in steering this revolution, transforming the sunglasses brand into a beacon of digital-first strategy success. Under his guidance, Hawkers has eschewed traditional retail models in favor of an approach that leverages the vast potential of online platforms, setting new standards in the eyewear industry and beyond.

Image provided by Alejandro Betancourt

From its inception, Hawkers was positioned to challenge the status quo. The decision to adopt a digital-first strategy was a bold move, aligning with Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López's vision of tapping into the burgeoning digital marketplace. This approach wasn’t merely about selling online; it was about reimagining how a brand could connect with consumers, engage with communities, and build a global presence without the constraints of physical retail.

Key Components of Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López’s Digital-First Strategy

Central to Hawkers' digital-first strategy was the creation of a state-of-the-art e-commerce platform. Betancourt López prioritized a seamless online shopping experience, from intuitive website navigation to mobile optimization and streamlined checkout processes. These efforts ensured that customers could enjoy a hassle-free shopping experience, mirroring the convenience and immediacy digital natives expect.

Betancourt López's strategic use of social media has been instrumental in Hawkers' rise. By harnessing platforms like Instagram and Facebook, Hawkers crafted a brand identity that was both aspirational and accessible. Through engaging content, influencer collaborations, and targeted advertising, Betancourt López managed to turn social media into a powerful sales and branding tool, connecting with millions worldwide.

“It was cool, it was fresh, and we were doing something different than anybody else at the time, which is online social, or social media marketing,” he said of using social media as an advertising tool. “And that approach totally disrupted the market in the way we penetrated the market. And I think that that innovation has built a huge brand that is today Hawkers.”

Underpinning the digital-first approach was a commitment to data-driven decision-making. Betancourt López leveraged analytics to gain insights into customer behavior, preferences, and trends. This information guided everything from marketing campaigns to product development, ensuring that Hawkers remained agile and responsive to its audience's evolving needs.

The digital-first strategy, while innovative, wasn’t without challenges. Market saturation and digital ad fatigue threatened to diminish Hawkers' online visibility. Moreover, maintaining a personal connection with customers in an online-only environment posed a significant hurdle. Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López and his team countered these obstacles with creativity and adaptability, employing content that cut through the noise and fostering community engagement to keep the brand personal and relatable.

Impact and Successes

Under Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López's visionary leadership, Hawkers hasn’t merely participated in the digital marketplace; it redefined it. The disruption caused by Hawkers in the traditional eyewear market is profound, challenging established norms and prompting a reevaluation of what it means to sell fashion accessories in the 21st century. By bypassing traditional retail channels and focusing on direct-to-consumer online sales, Betancourt López has enabled Hawkers to offer high-quality, fashionable sunglasses at a fraction of the cost of its competitors. This approach democratized stylish eyewear, making it accessible to a broader audience while pressuring traditional retailers to reconsider their pricing and marketing strategies in the face of an increasingly digital-first consumer base.

The success of Hawkers under Betancourt López is a testament to the power of digital platforms to level the playing field in industries traditionally dominated by heavyweight brands with extensive physical retail networks. The company’s agile strategy, which embraces social media marketing, influencer partnerships, and direct online sales, has allowed it to rapidly adapt to market trends and consumer preferences, outpacing competitors and capturing significant market share in a relatively short period.

With Betancourt López’s guidance, Hawkers has expanded its digital footprint across continents, reaching customers in over 50 countries. This international success story is built on a foundation of digital marketing excellence, which has not only amplified the brand's visibility but also fostered a global community of loyal customers.

This growth is characterized by a significant increase in sales volume, expansion of the product line to include a wider range of styles and designs, and the establishment of Hawkers as a recognized brand among consumers and industry insiders. The digital-first approach has allowed for a nimble market strategy in which new products can be tested, launched, and scaled with remarkable speed and efficiency. This adaptability has been vital to staying ahead of consumer trends and responding to the fast-paced fashion market.

“You could have many great ideas, but the execution is what matters,” he said. “The right executors or executives take these ideas into something … something pragmatic.”

by Asim BN via Digital Information World