Sharing Facts & Solutions to Plastic Pollution
 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 


[1]

JULY 2023

[Member Spotlight: FillGood, Plastic Free Future, Plastic Free
Restaurants & USEFULL] [2]

Dear John,

HAPPY PLASTIC FREE JULY [3]! From engaging with our allies, communities,
and individuals, to publishing peer-reviewed research, influencing plastic
pollution policy action, and landing highly visible articles in the media,
Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC) has been busy COMMUNICATING FACTS AND
SHARING SOLUTIONS to plastic pollution, supporting the INNOVATIVE AND
CREATIVE WAYS communities have shown how TO BE PLASTIC FREE during July,
and proving it can be done all year long.

We kicked off the month HIGHLIGHTING FOUR INSPIRING PPC MEMBERS who are
aligned in their mission to build a world free of plastic pollution and its
toxic impacts on communities and ecosystems around the world: FILLGOOD,
PLASTIC FREE FUTURE, PLASTIC FREE RESTAURANTS, AND USEFULL. The theme of
reuse in July’s Member Spotlight [2] is a key plastic-free principle
that—along with refill, regenerate, repair, and share—will help us
build solutions for the world we need to survive and thrive.

July may become “Plastic Pollution Action Month [4]” in the U.S. thanks
to a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Sheldon
Whitehouse (D-RI), and U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37). In
their proposal, policymakers cited SERIOUS CONCERN OVER THE PLASTIC
POLLUTION CRISIS that is threatening human and environmental health—which
is big progress in the world’s worst plastic-polluting country [5]. Last
month, Senator Merkley and Representative Doggett were joined by 65 House
Members in urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator
Michael S. Regan to go further [6] in reducing plastic pollution,
especially that caused by microplastics, as the EPA gathers comments on its
Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution [7]. Our op-ed in _The
Hill_ [8] focused on the need to AVOID GREENWASHED FALSE
SOLUTIONS—particularly in any policies aimed at addressing the plastic
crisis.

We also published a scientific review [9] about the HAZARDS OF
INCORPORATING USED PLASTIC INTO CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS in the journal
_Frontiers in Built Environment_. While uncovering seriously harmful
impacts of this growing greenwashing trend, our research also shows the
benefits of real solutions [10] needed to end plastic pollution. Our allies
at 5 Gyres published research establishing a framework to unravel the
complexity of plastic pollution, leading us to solutions that end plastic
pollution at the source [11].

Finally, we weighed in on the cultural and plastic pollution impacts of
_Barbie_ [12], as the new film drives a jump in sales of its namesake
plastic doll and accessories. And we curated a webinar on Greening
Hollywood Sets to Flip the Script on Plastics [13]—continuing our
important work to SHIFT CULTURAL NORMS around plastic.

Learn more about our activities and opportunities to get involved in
solutions to plastic pollution below. Here’s to being plastic free in
July—and all year round!

Onward,

[Jackie Nunez]

Jackie Nuñez
Founder, The Last Plastic Straw
Advocacy & Engagement Manager, Plastic Pollution Coalition

P.S. In honor of Plastic Free July, PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION [14]
to support our work to educate, connect, and advocate FOR A WORLD FREE OF
PLASTIC POLLUTION.

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

[In Our Real World, Barbie’s Plastic Is Not So Fantastic] [12]

★ In Our Real World, Barbie’s Plastic Is Not So Fantastic
In Greta Gerwig’s new movie, _Barbie_, actor Margot Robbie plays the
film’s namesake plastic doll as she navigates Barbieland—a highly
artificial, mostly plastic place designed seemingly for women’s
empowerment and positivity. Yet, as the plot progresses, the film’s
namesake becomes distressed when she leaves her perfect, pink plastic home
to visit the challenging and imperfect “real” human world. But while
reviewers have much to say about _Barbie’s_ cultural significance,
something that’s been less discussed is that in our world, BARBIE’S
PLASTIC IS NOT SO FANTASTIC. Read the blog [12].

★ HOW REUSABLES FLIP THE SCRIPT ON PLASTICS [15]
Our friends at Plastic Free July published our guest blog post which
discusses the impacts of the “EMOTIONAL SUPPORT WATER BOTTLE” trend
popularized by the AppleTV+ original comedy _Shrinking_, particularly among
Gen Zers and Millennials. Written by Amelia Hanson, PPC’s Project
Coordinator for the FLIP THE SCRIPT ON PLASTICS [16] initiative, the blog
post emphasizes how on-screen reusables both help viewers model solutions
to plastic pollution _and _can help screenwriters more effectively develop
characterization in their work. Read the blog [15].

★ HIGHLIGHTING REUSE SOLUTIONS WHILE ON THE GO IN _Outside Magazine
_Kristin Hostetter, head of sustainability for _Outside Magazine_ [17]
featured plastic-free reuse tips from PPC Advocacy and Engagement Manager
and Founder of The Last Plastic Straw Jackie Nuñez to help eliminate
plastic pollution while traveling. Learn how to make your own
low-to-no-cost ZERO-WASTE TRAVEL KIT and other strategies for avoiding
single-use plastics while on the go. Read the article [17].

★ Greening Hollywood Sets to Flip the Script on Plastics [13]
While Hollywood workers strike for fairer and more favorable contract
provisions, PPC learned more about how changemakers in the entertainment
industry are “Greening Hollywood Sets to Flip the Script on Plastics.”
During this thought-provoking discussion, we explored the power of the
entertainment industry to drive positive change to measurably reduce
plastic pollution by ELIMINATING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC IN PRODUCTION. We were
joined by Ellen Crawford, Actor and Union Activist; Asher Levin, Creative
Director of the Environmental Media Association [18] (EMA); and Emellie
O’Brien, CEO & Co-founder of Earth Angel [19]. The panel was moderated by
Jordan Howard, Founder of ShftSpace [20]. Watch the recording. [13]

★ U.S. Policymakers Propose Making July “Plastic Pollution Action
Month”
On July 13, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Sheldon Whitehouse
(D-RI), and U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37), introduced a
RESOLUTION [21] that, if passed, would make July “PLASTIC POLLUTION
ACTION MONTH” in the U.S. In their proposal, policymakers cited serious
concern over the plastic pollution crisis [22] that is threatening human
and environmental health. The resolution encourages all individuals and the
U.S. as a country to recommit to taking action to reduce plastic pollution,
in July and beyond. Read the blog [4].

★ CAUTIONING AGAINST GREENWASHED FALSE SOLUTIONS IN _The Hill
_Erica Cirino, PPC’s Communications Manager, published an op-ed in _The
Hill _to draw attention to the need to AVOID GREENWASHED FALSE
SOLUTIONS—particularly when formulating any policies aimed at addressing
the plastic crisis. The op-ed focuses on the dangers of replacing
conventional fossil fuel plastics with bioplastics, which are still
single-use, drive pollution and injustice, and typically are just as toxic
to use. Read the op-ed [8].

★ Researchers Urge Caution About the Use of Plastic “Waste” in
Construction Materials
In a review [23] published this month in _Frontiers in Built Environment_,
researchers analyzed 100 studies primarily from the last 10 years, and
assessed the costs and benefits of incorporating used and discarded plastic
into composites, roads, synthetic turf, lumber, soil stabilizers,
adhesives, insulation, and rammed earth. Based on their findings, the
RESEARCHERS URGE CAUTION—and more research—before these materials are
created and widely adopted for use. Read key findings [9].

★ Ask Pete Anything, Episode Two: Plastics
PPC Scientific Advisor [24] Pete Meyers at Environmental Health Sciences
(EHS) recently called on PPC to help answer some FAQs about plastic
pollution—which the EHS team incorporated into a short informational
video. Watch the video [25].

UPCOMING EVENTS

[August Webinar: Plastic-Free Back to School] [26]

★ August Webinar: Plastic-Free Back to School
With summer winding down in the Northern Hemisphere, IT’S BACK-TO-SCHOOL
TIME FOR MANY STUDENTS. While back-to-school time is usually associated
with plastic binders, water bottles, pens, and other single-use plastics,
IT’S POSSIBLE TO AVOID A SCHOOL YEAR FILLED WITH TOXIC PLASTIC—and we
are going to show you how. On August 17, learn why reusable, refillable,
non-plastic school supplies like stainless steel lunch boxes and food
storage containers are BETTER FOR STUDENT HEALTH, THE PLANET, AND
WALLETS—and how to incorporate them into the school year. We will also
discuss HOW SCHOOLS CAN INCORPORATE REUSABLE, PLASTIC-FREE ITEMS AND
PRACTICES into their operations. Joining the conversation will be JESSICA
CAMPBELL, Educator at Mount Madonna School [27]; DEBBY LEE COHEN, Executive
Director & Founder of Cafeteria Culture [28]; and HEATHER ITZLA, Founder of
Wisdom Supply Company [29]. The panel will be moderated by DR. MANASA
MANTRAVADI, Pediatrician and Founder & CEO at Ahimsa [30]. Sign up.

★ Virtual Tour of Ecovative’s New Mushroom Packaging Facilities [31]
On July 31, 2023, see how PPC Business Member Ecovative makes its Mushroom
Packaging, an amazing plastic-free, regenerative, and nontoxic alternative
to conventional plastic packaging. Get an up-close look of their facilities
on an exciting virtual tour. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER [31].

➤ FIND MORE EVENTS ON OUR WEBSITE. [32]

COALITION CORNER

[Member Spotlight: FillGood, Plastic Free Future, Plastic Free
Restaurants, USEFULL] [2]

★ MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: FILLGOOD, PLASTIC FREE FUTURE, PLASTIC FREE
RESTAURANTS & USEFULL
PPC is proud to represent businesses and organizations that are addressing
the plastic pollution crisis head on. From a wide range of industries and
focuses, PPC Members are aligned in their mission to create a world free of
plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on communities and ecosystems. To
uplift and showcase their work, our monthly Member Spotlight blog gives
readers an inside look at some of these influential change-makers. Our
third edition focuses on the theme of reuse for Plastic Free July, and
features FillGood, Plastic Free Future, Plastic Free Restaurants, USEFULL.
Learn more [2].

★ PPC x Oceanic Global partnership
PPC and OCEANIC GLOBAL [33] have partnered to help mitigate the plastic
pollution crisis. PPC is now offering its Business Members additional
verification through Oceanic Global’s Blue Standard (Blue) [34], a
cross-industry standard that empowers businesses to eliminate plastic
pollution and adopt comprehensive sustainability measures that protect our
blue planet. LEARN MORE [35].

★ PPC x Save The Waves partnership
PPC has partnered with Save The Waves Coalition, an international
non-profit working to protect surf ecosystems around the world, around the
Save The Waves App [36], a coastal monitoring tool that empowers surfers
and beach-goers to track threats to coastal ecosystems, such as plastic
pollution, ghost fishing gear, erosion, and poor water quality, to name a
few. The Save The Waves App connects the information from reports in
real-time with local organizations leading clean ups, brand audits, and
global trash mapping initiatives, among other local and global partners.
Learn more.

★ Join the Coalition
Not yet a member of Plastic Pollution Coalition? You may join as an
individual, organization, or business. Apply here [37].

TAKE ACTION

[Ban Plastic From School Lunchrooms & Protect Children's Health] [38]

★ 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 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. PPC Business Member AHIMSA [30] is leading an effort to tell the
U.S. Department of Agriculture to avoid using these materials in its school
lunch program. Sign the petition.

★ 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 UN Treaty
negotiations underway [39] through 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 [40] to tell the USG to take a stronger stance
on the Global Plastics Treaty. Outside the U.S.? Sign the petition calling
on world leaders to create a bold, binding treaty to end plastic pollution.

★ 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. PPC and
our allies are working to ensure this funding goes to safe, non-plastic
solutions that put community health and safety first. Sign the petition.
[41]

➤ FIND MORE PETITIONS ON OUR WEBSITE. [42]

OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES

[Weigh in on the U.S. EPA’s Plastic Pollution Draft Strategy by July
31] [7]

★ WEIGH IN ON THE U.S. EPA’S PLASTIC POLLUTION DRAFT STRATEGY [7]
The public comment period to weigh in on the Environmental Protection
Agency’s (EPA) newly proposed “Draft National Strategy to Prevent
Plastic Pollution [7]” 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 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 [7].

★ BREAK FREE FROM PLASTIC Microfunds for Brand Audits
Our allies at Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) [43] have announced microfunds
to provide need-based financial support to 30 member organizations planning
a brand audit [44] event in 2023. Core member recipients will be awarded
$500 USD each and associate members will be awarded $300 USD each to help
cover their organization's brand audit event expenses. In an effort to
elevate new brand audit stories, microfund recipients will also be asked to
share their data findings in a short case study (template provided by
BFFP). This round of applications will consider brand audit events
scheduled to be held July–September, 2023. The deadline to apply for this
round is August 11. If your brand audit event will take place
October–December 2023, please wait for the second round of applications
to open on October 2. Apply here by August 11, 2023.

★ Small Grants for Environmental Health and Justice Groups
Our allies at the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice (CHEJ) have
opened a Small Grants Program for grassroots groups working on
environmental health and justice issues. Grassroots communities of color,
low wealth, rural and urban groups are encouraged to apply. This grant
program will support projects that help groups move toward their goals by
building leadership, increasing capacity, and/or providing training and
education. Submit your proposal by August 14, 2023 [45].

★ 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.

★ 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 systems, health
and human services, and environment. Please note that the Claneil
Foundation does not accept self-nominations. Nominations are due by
September 15, 2023.

★ 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 [46] and watch the recording of our April webinar
focused on greenwashing [47].

★ 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
[48].

YOUR DONATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

DONATE [49]

#PLASTICPOLLUTES

[Facebook] [50] [Instagram] [51] [Twitter] [52] [Youtube] [53]

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 [54] | UNSUBSCRIBE [55]

Copyright © 2023 Plastic Pollution Coalition



Links:
------
[1] [link removed]
[2] [link removed]
[3] [link removed]
[4] [link removed]
[5] [link removed]
[6] [link removed]
[7] [link removed]
[8] [link removed]
[9] [link removed]
[10] [link removed]
[11] [link removed]
[12] [link removed]
[13] [link removed]
[14] [link removed]
[15] [link removed]
[16] [link removed]
[17] [link removed]
[18] [link removed]
[19] [link removed]
[20] [link removed]
[21] [link removed]
[22] [link removed]
[23] [link removed]
[24] [link removed]
[25] [link removed]
[26] [link removed]
[27] [link removed]
[28] [link removed]
[29] [link removed]
[30] [link removed]
[31] [link removed]
[32] [link removed]
[33] [link removed]
[34] [link removed]
[35] [link removed]
[36] [link removed]
[37] [link removed]
[38] [link removed]
[39] [link removed]
[40] [link removed]
[41] [link removed]
[42] [link removed]
[43] [link removed]
[44] [link removed]
[45] [link removed]
[46] [link removed]
[47] [link removed]
[48] [link removed]
[49] [link removed]
[50] [link removed]
[51] [link removed]
[52] [link removed]
[53] [link removed]
[54] [link removed]
[55] [link removed]