Dear John,

All of us at Plastic Pollution Coalition wish you a happy close to Plastic Free July as we recognize that every day, all year we work toward a more just, equitable world free of plastic pollution and its toxic impacts. 

Our website is filled with resources to help everyone embrace plastic-free solutions at home, school, work, and on-the-go. This includes our July webinar, during which our panelists discussed the landscape of plastic alternatives and described how regenerative materials are being used at a systems level for a healthier future. In the media this month, we weighed in on the movement to ban plastic production as a key solution to plastic pollution, as well as the importance of reducing exposure to plastics and chemicals during pregnancy.

We can begin to build a more just, equitable world free of plastic pollution by supporting strong policies locally, nationally, and internationally that address, above all, the core cause of plastic pollution: plastic production. There are now several major opportunities to address plastic pollution in the ways we need, including the global UN Plastics Treaty and the U.S. Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act. We are excited by some new developments that show us our leaders are listening, including the U.S. Government, which recently published a new plastic pollution strategy document. Our leaders still have a long way to go to address plastic pollution and environmental injustice, but we are hopeful to see some steps in the right direction.

There is no time to waste, with greenwashing common and corporations doing too little too late. Recently, we filed a complaint against Danone Waters of America, makers of evian bottled water, for misleadingly labeling their products as “natural” and “sustainable”—despite them containing toxic microplastics and BPA. And a landmark lawsuit we co-filed against major consumer goods companies for allegedly creating a public nuisance from their plastic packaging, polluting California waterways with plastic trash, has been greenlit to move forward in the California court system. We are educating and creating resources like our Global Plastic Laws database, all of which will help shift plastics policies in the right direction. Real solutions exist today, and we continue to push for them to be implemented. 

Onward,

Aidan Maguire
Coalition Program Manager
Plastic Pollution Coalition

P.S. Please support our work to educate, connect, and advocate for a more just, equitable world free of plastic pollution.

★ Plastic Pollution Coalition Files False Advertising Lawsuit Against Danone Waters of America… 
Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC) filed a lawsuit in the District of Columbia Superior Court against Danone Waters of America, LLC, maker of evian bottled water headquartered in the United States, for false and deceptive marketing in violation of the District of Columbia’s Consumer Protection Procedures Act. Danone Waters of America promotes evian as “sustainable,” “natural,” and “healthy,” despite these products containing health-harming microplastics and plastic chemical bisphenol-A (BPA), and creating plastic pollution. Learn more.

★ Court Greenlights Landmark Plastic Pollution Lawsuit Against Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo…
Earth Island Institute, acting for itself and on behalf of its sponsored projects Plastic Pollution Coalition, the International Marine Mammal Project, Shark Stewards, and 1000 Fountains, received a momentous court order allowing its landmark lawsuit to proceed against major consumer goods companies for allegedly creating a public nuisance from their plastic packaging, polluting California waterways with plastic trash. Learn more. 

★ White House Releases New Strategy for U.S. Federal Government Action on Plastic Pollution
In its new strategy, “Mobilizing Federal Action on Plastic Pollution: Progress, Principles, and Priorities,” the U.S. Government has finally acknowledged key truths about the plastic pollution crisis. While the broader language of the plan marks considerable progress over the government’s past approaches to plastic pollution, it also contains critical gaps that—if not urgently addressed—will delay real solutions to plastic pollution. Learn more.

★ U.S. EPA Proposes Next Steps that Could Ban Vinyl Chloride, Other Key Plastic Ingredients
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is suggesting that vinyl chloride and four other chemicals used to make plastics be designated as a “High-Priority Substances” under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Such designation would require the agency to assess the chemicals’ risks—and could lead to bans or restrictions on their manufacturing, processing, distribution, use, or disposal if they are found to present an unreasonable risk to people and the environment. Learn more.

★ Announcing the “Independence from Plastic” Short Film Contest Winners
Earlier this year we launched Independence from Plastic: A ‘micro’ plastic-free film contest, which challenged filmmakers to show us their positive vision of a plastic-free future in micro films of 60 seconds or less. Additionally, we challenged the filmmakers to go plastic free behind the scenes and submit reports reviewed by our expert partners from Earth Angel. We are pleased to announce the winners and share their creative films with you. Learn more.

★ Abbott Elementary, Hacks, and Other Shows Bring the Plastic Pollution Crisis to Our Screens
Have you seen Abbott Elementary, Hacks, or other shows that bring the plastic pollution crisis to our screens? In PPC’s work to shift the narrative in popular culture, we’ve been focused on film and television tackling the plastic pollution crisis from three angles: on set, on screen, and in the script. As our work continues to move forward, we’re seeing the changes roll in in that order, with directors, producers, and showrunners starting on set, moving to on screen, and now, adding plastic reduction into the storyline. Learn more.

➤ Find more Latest News on our website.

★ Grand Point North Music Festival with Grace Potter
Grammy-nominated musician songwriter Grace Potter unveiled a new plastic-free initiative with festival goers at the Grand Point North music festival this month in Burlington, Vermont. The music festival featured headliners The Head and the Heart on night one, The Flaming Lips on night two, with Grace Potter headlining nights three and four. PPC Co-Founder and CEO Dianna Cohen and Advocacy & Engagement Manager Jackie Nuñez attended the festival and shared plastic pollution facts and solutions. Join PPC, Grace Potter, Hip Hop Caucus, and music sustainability experts on Thursday, August 15, from 2-3pm PT, 5-6pm ET for a special webinar The Music Industry’s Plastic-Free Evolution. Sign up.

★ Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC) at Sun Valley Forum
PPC’s Co-Founder and CEO Dianna Cohen and Executive Advisory Board Member Dr. Michael K. Dorsey joined FairShare’s Eamonn Store on a panel about building a more just, regenerative world free of plastic pollution, fossil fuels, and their toxic impacts at the 2024 Sun Valley Forum: Restoring Harmony With Nature. Also attending the forum was PPC Youth Ambassador Xiye Bastida, founder of Re-Earth, who spoke about her knowledge as a youth Indigenous leader and shared intergenerational insights on restoring the connections between people and the rest of nature; and PPC allies Dr. Sylvia Earle, founder of Mission Blue, who spoke of how we must continue to protect the ocean, the blue heart of the planet; Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr., founder of Hip Hop Caucus, who spoke about uniting hip-hop culture with climate justice; and PPC business member Rich Razgaitis, founder of Flowater. 

★ PPC at Environmental Media Association Impact Summit
This June, Dianna Cohen presented at the Environmental Media Association (EMA) Impact Summit as part of the panel: Making an Impact, Below the Line. The panel included Georgina Teran Gilmore, CEO & President of EFD Studios; and Brandon Geller, Sustainability Manager at Sunset Studios. The panel was moderated by EMA Creative Director Asher Levin. 

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

★ Celebrating the Life & Work of Dr. Wallace “J” Nichols
It’s been a little over a month since J passed away, and we know it’s still so hard to believe. We also know the best way to honor him is to keep his work and his memory alive. On Friday, August 23, at 1pm PT/4pm ET, we will host a special open Zoom call to share stories and tributes about J. Whether you knew him as a friend or colleague, or admired his work from afar, we welcome you to join us to celebrate his extraordinary life and lasting contributions to our beautiful blue water planet. Register here. 

★ Protecting Children’s Developing Brains: Hazards of Plastics and Chemicals in Plastics
A growing body of evidence shows that plastics and associated toxic chemicals contribute to neurodevelopmental disabilities and cognitive deficits in children. On August 6 at 1pm ET/4pm PT, join the Collaborative for Health & Environment (CHE) for a webinar with Dr. Linda Birnbaum, Dr. Carmen Marsit, and Maureen Swanson as they discuss how children’s developing brains are harmed by the effects of plastics and toxic chemicals in plastics. Register here.

★ Virtual Ground Up Advocacy Bootcamp
Want to make real, lasting change on your campus or in your community to combat climate change and biodiversity loss? The Re:wild Your Campus team is very excited to host the next session of our Ground Up Advocacy Bootcamp, a 2-day virtual training intensive, on August 12 & 13 from 3-5:30pm PT. Join the training to learn about toxic chemicals, rewilding spaces, the intersection of human and environmental health, and how these issues tie back to racial and social justice. Register here.

★ August PPC Webinar: The Music Industry’s Plastic-Free Evolution
As humanity becomes more concerned about the issues surrounding climate change, the music industry is adapting to become more sustainable, and everyone from artists and performers, to promoters, venues, and concert goers are paving the way toward a plastic-free future. Join us on Thursday, August 15, at 2-3pm PT, 5-6pm ET for a special discussion with Associate Senior Director of the Think 100% podcast for Hip Hop Caucus, Jasmine Gil; Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, musician Grace Potter; and Sustainability Coordinator for Jack Johnson Music & All at Once Max Tischler. The conversation will be co-moderated by music industry activist Annie Farman and Hip Hop Caucus Artist Relations Director and Cultural Producer Dawn Richard. Sign up.

★ Climate Ride Wine Country Edition
Pedal for the planet and support PPC on the upcoming Climate Ride Wine Country Edition, which is in partnership with Kendall-Jackson Winery, on Saturday, August 17. This one day ride will feature route options for every skill level, a post ride party, and an opportunity to take action for our planet alongside hundreds of like minded new friends! Be sure to select Plastic Pollution Coalition when you register. Sign up.

➤ Find more Events on our website.

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 the final UN Plastics Treaty negotiating session scheduled for November 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 UN Plastics Treaty. Outside the U.S.? Sign the petition calling on world leaders to create a bold, binding treaty to end plastic pollution.

★ Urge EPA Administrator Regan: Ban Vinyl Chloride
Vinyl chloride is a known human carcinogen that has been sickening people for decades. Urge EPA Administrator Michael Regan to ban vinyl chloride as quickly as possible under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Sign the petition.

➤ Find more Petitions on our website.

★ Open Position: Campaign Coordinator at Plastic Pollution Coalition
Plastic Pollution Coalition is hiring a Campaign Coordinator to support strong policy and communication efforts to coordinate, organize, and liaise with experts and stakeholders on various PPC-led campaigns and initiatives. The initial focus for this role will be the Filtered Not Bottled campaign and federal plastic policy such as the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act. Learn more.

★Open Position: Grassroots Advocacy Organizer, Reuse Program at Story of Stuff Project
The Grassroots Advocacy Organizer will play a key role in the Story of Stuff’s efforts to strengthen and strategically deploy grassroots advocacy to enact policies that bring reuse into the beverage and food service industries in North America at the local and state level. First round of applicant review is August 4, 2024. Learn more and apply.

★ Open Position: U.S. Carbon Capture Senior Campaigner at CIEL
As CIEL’s US-based CCS Senior Campaigner, you will lead, develop, and operationalize the organization’s priorities to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels by confronting the deployment of false solutions, ensuring that people are at the center of climate policies while holding corporations accountable for their human rights and environmental harms. You will serve as a focal point for CIEL’s work to confront the accelerating CCS buildout in the US, with a special focus on Texas, Louisiana, and the Gulf of Mexico. First round of applicant review is August 12, 2024. Learn more and apply.

★ Youth Opportunity from World Ocean Day
Attention youth leaders! The Ocean Project is now accepting applications for the World Ocean Day Youth Advisory Council, an annual cohort of 20-25 young people who are actively engaged in conservation efforts in their communities. Youth activists in this council unite to share their efforts with each other and the world, develop their leadership skills to strengthen their impact, and inspire millions to take action for our blue planet throughout the year. Click here for more information about the Council’s roles and responsibilities and review the application process. Applications are due by August 5, 2024. Apply here.

★ Road to Busan: Global Producer Responsibility for Plastic Pollution
In July, leading plastic pollution and environmental justice experts presented the results of the research “Global producer responsibility for plastic pollution,” published in Science Advances. They discussed how the findings can help the development of the legally binding UN Plastics Treaty. Watch the recording.

➤ Find more Resources in our Resource Library.