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. 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 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. 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, 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 featuring Dr. Sylvia Earle. Dr. Wallace J Nichols, and Imari Walker-Franklin, PhD. We published a New York Times Letter to the Editor as well as a Q&A in Science Direct 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 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.

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). 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. and global leaders 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) 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, and Protecting Communities from Plastic Act).

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,” 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
Vice President, Programs & Communications
Plastic Pollution Coalition

P.S. In honor of Plastic Free July, please consider making a donation to support our work and help us Flip the Script on Plastics.

★ 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 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 urging the nation’s leaders to take a stronger stance in the negotiations. We helped spread the word in the media 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.

★ Plastic-Free Seas: Diving Into How Plastic Impacts Health, Climate, and Our Oceans
During our June webinar, Plastic-Free Seas: Diving Into How Plastic Impacts Health, Climate, and Our Oceans, 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, President & Co-Chair of Mission Blue and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence; Dr. Wallace J Nichols, Marine Biologist & Author of Blue Mind; and Imari Walker-Franklin, PhD, Research Chemist at RTI International & Author of Plastics. Watch the recording.

★ Shifting the Narrative in The New York Times
Erica Cirino, PPC’s Communications Manager, published a New York Times Letter to the Editor 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.

★ 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 and USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center’s Hollywood, Health & Society. 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. 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.

★ Channeling Creativity to Inspire Positive Change on Plastic Pollution
PPC’s incredible and growing group of Artist Allies are channeling their creativity to inspire positive change. Together, this diverse group of creators illuminates plastic pollution facts and solutions 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 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 until August 31. Learn more.

★ 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); Debbie Levin, CEO of the Environmental Media Association (EMA); and Emellie O’Brien, CEO & Co-founder of Earth Angel. The panel will be moderated by Jordan Howard, Founder of ShftSpace. Sign up.

★ 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.

★ Plastic Free July
Plastic Free July 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.

➤ Find more Events on our website.

★ PPC x Oceanic Global Partnership
PPC and Oceanic Global 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), a cross-industry standard that empowers businesses to eliminate plastic pollution and adopt comprehensive sustainability measures that protect our blue planet. Learn more.

★ 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.

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

★ 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 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 to tell the USG to take a stronger stance on the Global Plastics Treaty. Sign the petition. Outside the U.S.? Sign the petition calling on world leaders to create a bold, binding treaty to end plastic pollution.

★ 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 led by PPC Business Member AHIMSA 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 to ensure this funding goes to safe, non-plastic solutions that put community health and safety first.

➤ Find more Petitions on our website.

★ 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 and explore the related webinar series 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.

★ 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” 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.

★ 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.

★ 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.