We’re Also Making Space to Rest and Recharge
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[1]

JUNE 2023

[Plastic Pollution Coalition] [2]

Dear John,

At Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC), we EDUCATE, CONNECT, and ADVOCATE for
a more just, equitable world free of plastic pollution and its toxic
impacts [2]. As we head into Plastic Free July, we wanted to share how
we’re doing each of these things just in the past month.

To EDUCATE, we took a group of Hollywood television and film writers on a
Plastic Pollution Toxic Tour [3] in Los Angeles, California, to SHOW THEM
THE REALITIES OF PLASTIC’S ENDLESS TOXIC EXISTENCE and remind them that
entertainment could help Flip the Script on Plastics [4]. We worked with
our allies in the Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) movement to launch the
Guide for Journalists: Reporting on Greenwashing & False Solutions to
Plastic Pollution [5], to EDUCATE JOURNALISTS ABOUT FALSE SOLUTIONS and
emphasize the importance of truth in the media. We also hosted a highly
attended WEBINAR ABOUT HOW PLASTIC IMPACTS HEALTH, CLIMATE, AND OUR OCEANS
[6] featuring Dr. Sylvia Earle. Dr. Wallace J Nichols, and Imari
Walker-Franklin, PhD. We published a _New York Times_ Letter to the Editor
[7] as well as a Q&A in _Science Direct_ [8] CALLING OUT FALSE NARRATIVES
around plastic pollution and EMPHASIZING THE REAL SOLUTIONS we need.

To CONNECT, we’re working with our EXPANSIVE GLOBAL ALLIANCE of
organizations, businesses, and individuals to amplify and UPLIFT REAL
SOLUTIONS to plastic pollution. We just launched an exciting partnership
with Oceanic Global [9] to offer sustainability verification to our
Business Members through the Blue Standard. By doing so, we establish and
incentivize universal adoption of plastic-free and other ENVIRONMENTALLY
RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS PRACTICES, and offer our members TANGIBLE RECOGNITION
FOR THE LEADERSHIP they have already demonstrated in meeting PPC’s robust
Criteria for Business Membership [10].

To ADVOCATE, we’re pushing for STRONG POLICIES IN THE U.S. AND GLOBALLY
that tackle plastic pollution at the source. In late May, I represented PPC
at the second session of UN Global Plastics Treaty negotiations in Paris,
France (INC-2) [11]. There is still much work to be done to ensure a strong
treaty, which is why WE NEED YOU TO CONTINUE TO PRESSURE THE U.S. [12] AND
GLOBAL LEADERS [13] to make the most of this “once-in-a-planet
opportunity.” In mid-June, PPC staff attended the “CAPITOL HILL WEEK OF
ACTION” organized by Oceana and the BFFP movement, where they joined 43
national advocates representing 30 organizations. The advocates
participated in 93 meetings and a U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and
Public Works hearing on PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. Together they
worked to SECURE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR FEDERAL INITIATIVES to address
plastic pollution (e.g., Reducing Waste in National Parks Act [14]) and
GENERATE AWARENESS of bills that are expected to be reintroduced (e.g., the
latest version of the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, Plastic Pellet
Free Waters Act [15], and Protecting Communities from Plastic Act [16]).

With so many exciting projects and partnerships keeping us busy, WE ARE
MAKING SPACE FOR OUR TEAM TO RECHARGE during the first week of July. As we
take this brief rest, we encourage you to do the same: if you are able,
take time to log off, GO OUTSIDE, and visit your nearest waterway to
connect with your “Blue Mind [17],” as our friend and PPC Scientific
Advisor Dr. Wallace J Nichols reminds us is so important for our wellbeing.
WE MUST TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES as we take action for a world free of
plastic pollution—as you know, it’s hard work! Thank you for your
continued support, we deeply appreciate it.

Onward,

[Jen Fela]

Jen Fela
Vice President, Programs & Communications
Plastic Pollution Coalition

P.S. In honor of Plastic Free July, PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION [18]
to support our work and help us Flip the Script on Plastics.

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

[INC-2 Wraps Up in Paris] [11]

★ UN Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations (INC-2) Wrap Up in Paris
Earlier this month, in Paris, France, the UN wrapped up the second of five
sessions of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2). During
INC-2, PPC submitted a statement to the UN and the U.S. government
delegation from 27 Coalition Member Businesses [19] calling for a Global
Plastics Treaty that supports the many small businesses working to create
innovative, plastic-free products and systems. We also delivered a letter
to the U.S. government signed by 37 allied organizations [12] urging the
nation’s leaders to take a stronger stance in the negotiations. We helped
spread the word in the media [20] about the BFFP movement, the myth of
plastic “recycling,” and the importance of an ambitious Global Plastics
Treaty with a strong focus on reduction and reuse. We also supported the
attendance of two climate justice-focused allies at INC-2 in Paris. Learn
more [11].

★ PLASTIC-FREE SEAS: DIVING INTO HOW PLASTIC IMPACTS HEALTH, CLIMATE, AND
OUR OCEANS [6]
During our June webinar, Plastic-Free Seas: Diving Into How Plastic Impacts
Health, Climate, and Our Oceans [6], our panel discussed challenges that
plastic pollution poses to our oceans and our bodies, how polluted waters
disrupt the mental health benefits we gain from access to healthy oceans
and waterways, and how we may restore our planet as well as our own
physical and mental well-being. The conversation was moderated by PPC
Co-Founder and CEO Dianna Cohen and featured “Her Deepness” Dr. Sylvia
Earle [21], President & Co-Chair of Mission Blue [22] and National
Geographic Explorer-in-Residence; Dr. Wallace J Nichols [23], Marine
Biologist & Author of _Blue Mind_ [24]; and Imari Walker-Franklin, PhD
[25], Research Chemist at RTI International & Author of _Plastics_ [26].
Watch the recording. [6]

★ SHIFTING THE NARRATIVE IN _THE NEW YORK TIME_s
Erica Cirino, PPC’s Communications Manager, published a _New York Times_
Letter to the Editor [7] pushing back on false solutions to plastic
pollution and harmful narratives that delay and distract from real
solutions. In her letter, Cirino emphasized the need to turn off the tap on
plastic production, engage in plastic-free behaviors and mindsets, address
injustice, and end wastefulness. Read here [7].

★ WE NEED REAL SOLUTIONS TO PLASTIC POLLUTION: Q&A WITH JEN FELA IN
_Science Direct
_Jen Fela, PPC Vice President of Programs & Communications, has worked to
address the plastics crisis for many years, including as a journalist and
as the Global Engagement Lead for the Greenpeace global plastics campaign.
Check out the Q&A in _Science Direct_ where she speaks about the
complexities of the plastics crisis and what it will take to transition
industry and society away from unsustainable plastic use. Read here.

★ The Flip the Script on Plastics Toxic Tour
On June 13, 2023, a bus filled with television and film writers embarked on
a “Toxic Tour” of fossil fuel and plastic pollution sites across Los
Angeles, California, organized by Plastic Pollution Coalition [1] and USC
Annenberg Norman Lear Center’s Hollywood, Health & Society [27]. Our goal
in taking these writers on this journey was to educate them on the harmful
effects of plastics throughout its existence—from plastics’ origins as
fossil fuels, to production, use, disposal, and pollution—in hopes that
content creators will turn this knowledge into compelling, factual
entertainment—and ultimately help to Flip the Script on Plastics [4]. Our
Toxic Tour took place just over 100 years after industrialists began
pumping oil in Signal Hill, and the day was eye-opening, with many
attendees realizing that 99% of plastic is made from petrochemicals and
fossil fuels. Read more [3].

★ Channeling Creativity to Inspire Positive Change on Plastic Pollution
PPC’s incredible and growing group of Artist Allies [28] are channeling
their creativity to inspire positive change. Together, this diverse group
of creators illuminates plastic pollution facts [29] and solutions [30]
across a wide range of mediums, from performance pieces to giant sculptures
made of discarded plastic. Our Artist Ally Pınar Yoldaş is showing her
work in a new exhibition called Plastic World [31] at the Schirn Halle
Frankfurt until October 1; also worth visiting is Judith Selby Lang and
Richard Lang’s new art installation at For-Site at The Guardhouse in San
Francisco, California [32] until August 31. Learn more [33].

UPCOMING EVENTS

[July 20 Webinar – Greening Hollywood Sets to Flip the Script on
Plastics] [34]

★ JULY 20 WEBINAR – Greening Hollywood Sets to Flip the Script on
Plastics
The AVERAGE FILM PRODUCTION uses as many as 39,000 SINGLE-USE PLASTIC
BOTTLES over a 60-day period. Removing single-use plastics from sets not
only saves money, it can also help INFLUENCE WHAT IS SHOWN ON SCREEN and
help transform our culture from viewing single-use plastics as
“normal”— because they’re not. During this thought-provoking
discussion, we will explore the power of the entertainment industry to
DRIVE POSITIVE CHANGE to measurably reduce plastic pollution by ELIMINATING
SINGLE-USE PLASTIC in production. Joining the conversation will be FRAN
DRESCHER, actor, environmentalist, and President of the Screen Actors
Guild/American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA [35]);
DEBBIE LEVIN, CEO of the Environmental Media Association [36] (EMA); and
EMELLIE O’BRIEN, CEO & Co-founder of Earth Angel [37]. The panel will be
moderated by JORDAN HOWARD, Founder of ShftSpace [38]. SIGN UP [34].

★ Plastics & the Future of Our Planet: A Conversation with Bill McKibben
and Elizabeth Kolbert
On July 12, 2023, Beyond Plastics will host a conversation about plastics
and the future of our planet with environmental leader and author, Bill
McKibben, and Pullitzer prize-winning journalist, Elizabeth Kolbert,
moderated by Beyond Plastics president and former U.S. EPA regional
administrator, Judith Enck. The webinar will take place on July 12 at 7 PM
ET on Zoom. Sign up [39].

★ PLASTIC FREE JULY [40]
Plastic Free July [40] is a global movement that helps millions of people
take part in solutions to plastic pollution for the benefit of people and
the planet. Plastic Free July is based around the simple premise of
refusing single-use plastic, which is easier when you choose to reuse,
refill, repair, and share instead. This July, we’re focusing on the theme
of reuse to help inspire real solutions to plastic pollution. Stay tuned
for resources and content around this year’s theme from us, our allies,
and partners. LEARN MORE, AND GET INVOLVED [40].

➤ FIND MORE EVENTS ON OUR WEBSITE [41].

COALITION CORNER

[PPC x Oceanic Global Partnership] [9]

★ PPC x Oceanic Global Partnership
PPC and OCEANIC GLOBAL [42] have partnered to help mitigate the plastic
pollution crisis. The two NGOs, which have historically each offered
aligned programs focused on transitioning businesses and industries away
from plastics globally, are now working together to further establish and
incentivize universal adoption of plastic-free and other environmentally
responsible business practices. PPC is now offering its Business Members
additional verification through Oceanic Global’s Blue Standard (Blue)
[43], a cross-industry standard that empowers businesses to eliminate
plastic pollution and adopt comprehensive sustainability measures that
protect our blue planet. LEARN MORE [9].

★ Member Spotlight: Meliora, Oceana, Open Water, & Plastic Free July
PPC is proud to represent a unique coalition of businesses and
organizations that are addressing the plastic pollution crisis head on.
From a wide range of industries and focuses, our Coalition Members are
aligned in their mission to build a world free of plastic pollution and its
toxic impacts on communities and ecosystems around the world. To uplift and
showcase their work, we have launched a monthly Coalition Member Spotlight
blog, giving our readers an inside look at some of these influential
change-makers. Our second edition features Meliora, Oceana, Open Water, &
Plastic Free July. Read more [44].

★ Join the Coalition
Not yet a member of Plastic Pollution Coalition? You may join as an
individual, organization, or business. Apply here [45].

TAKE ACTION

[Tell the U.S. Government: Take a Stronger Stance on the Global
Plastics Treaty] [12]

★ Tell the U.S. Government: Take a Stronger Stance on the Global Plastics
Treaty
Plastic production, transportation, use, and disposal threaten Earth’s
communities, air, water, biodiversity, and soils. With negotiations
underway [46] until the end of 2024, the U.S. government (USG) has the
unique opportunity to play a key role in the change we need on a worldwide
level: instead of leading the world in generating the plastic pollution
crisis, it's time for the USG to lead by forging ambitious solutions. Sign
on [12] to tell the USG to take a stronger stance on the Global Plastics
Treaty. Sign the petition [12]. Outside the U.S.? Sign the petition calling
on world leaders to create a bold, binding treaty to end plastic pollution.
[47]

★ BAN PLASTIC FROM SCHOOL LUNCHROOMS & PROTECT CHILDREN'S HEALTH
Studies show that plastic in the food system can lead to harmful chemicals
leaching into the foods our children eat. Today, there are more than 10,000
additives approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to serve,
preserve, package, or modify the taste, look, texture, or nutrients in
foods. However, a recent review of nearly 4,000 food additives showed that
64% of them had had no research showing they were safe for people to eat or
drink. Sign the petition [48] led by PPC Business Member AHIMSA [49] to
tell the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to avoid using these
materials in its school lunch program.

★ Tell EPA: Don’t Replace Lead Pipes with Plastic Pollution
The U.S. Federal government has approved $15 billion to replace toxic lead
services lines bringing water into the homes of 22 million people in the
U.S. Lead pipes should be replaced with non-toxic materials, not plastics
like PVC. Plastic pipe materials can similarly leach toxic chemicals and
microplastics that accumulate in the environment and in our bodies. Sign
the petition [50] to ensure this funding goes to safe, non-plastic
solutions that put community health and safety first.

➤ FIND MORE PETITIONS ON OUR WEBSITE. [51]

OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES

[New: Guide for Journalists: Reporting on Greenwashing & False
Solutions to Plastic Pollution] [5]

★ New: Guide for Journalists: Reporting on Greenwashing & False Solutions
to Plastic Pollution
The media plays a crucial role in society, especially in battling the
spread of misinformation and false claims. Created by PPC and BFFP, this
guide shows how journalists can identify misinformation about plastic
pollution, and shares solutions-oriented tips to make reporting and
storytelling on plastic pollution both truthful and impactful. Get your
free copy of the Guide [5] and explore the related webinar series [52] by
BFFP focused on establishing the facts on false solutions to plastic
pollution in the Global South, a region which has faced disproportionate
injustice as a result of plastic pollution. Also be sure to watch the
recording of our April webinar focused on greenwashing [53].

★ Weigh in on the U.S. EPA’s Plastic Pollution Draft Strategy
The public comment period to weigh in on the Environmental Protection
Agency’s (EPA) newly proposed “Draft National Strategy to Prevent
Plastic Pollution [54]” is open for submissions until July 31, 2023.
While at PPC we are encouraged that the EPA has taken steps to address
plastic pollution on a federal level, we are concerned that this draft
falls far short of making serious progress to tackle this urgent, global
crisis threatening the health and lives of people and the planet. Submit
your comments by July 31, 2023 [54].

★ 2023 ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA AWARDS CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
The Environmental Media Awards (EMA) honor film and television productions
that increase public awareness of environmental issues and inspire personal
action on these issues. To be eligible, narrative and documentary feature
films must have sold distribution rights and have been released either
theatrically or at an accredited film festival, direct-to-video, or video
on demand (streaming or transactional) between August 31, 2022, and
September 1, 2023. In addition, television productions in all categories
must have first aired between August 31, 2022, and September 1, 2023, on a
national network, cable, public television, first-run syndication, or
streaming channel. The deadline to submit is August 14, 2023. Find
application information here [55].

★ EMERGING LEADERS FUND
The Claneil Foundation created the Emerging Leaders Fund to support the
critical role that executive directors play in launching and growing
early-stage organizations. The Foundation awards a four-year unrestricted
general operating grant totaling $300,000 to each recipient’s
organization along with access to a support network of peers. Recipients
are selected based on their creative vision, leadership capacity, potential
for impact, and commitment to innovation and learning in one or more of the
following issue areas: education, hunger and nutrition/food system, health
and human services, and environment. Please note that the Claneil
Foundation does not accept self-nominations. Nominations are due by
September 15, 2023.

★ EXPLORE PLASTIC POLLUTION COALITION’S RESOURCE LIBRARY
A wealth of resources are available in our online library to help educate
and mobilize individuals to take action on plastic pollution. From research
and reports to educational materials, the library has something for
everyone. Whether you're an individual looking to reduce your own plastic
footprint or an organization looking to make a bigger impact, PPC's
resource library is a great place to start. Explore the Resource Library
[56].

YOUR DONATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

DONATE [57]

#PLASTICPOLLUTES

[Facebook] [58] [Instagram] [59] [Twitter] [60] [Youtube] [61]

Plastic Pollution Coalition is a non-profit communications and advocacy
organization that collaborates with an expansive global alliance of
organizations, businesses, and individuals to create a more just,
equitable, regenerative world free of plastic pollution and its toxic
impacts. Plastic Pollution Coalition is a project of Earth Island
Institute, a 501(c)3, non-profit organization, organized and existing under
the laws of California (Federal Tax ID #94-2889684).

PLASTIC POLLUTION COALITION
4401A Connecticut Avenue NW #143
Washington, DC 20008
[email protected]
(323) 936-3010

SUBSCRIBE [62] | UNSUBSCRIBE [63]

Copyright © 2023 Plastic Pollution Coalition



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