Dear John,

We have a win coming out of New Orleans this month—Krewe of Freret (KoF) and artist Boyfriend, one of our Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC) Notable Members, made Mardi Gras history by becoming the first Krewe (parade group) to ban plastic Mardi Gras beads! We commend KoF on this historical step toward making Mardi Gras safer and more sustainable. 

We’re excited to announce the launch of the complete version of the UP (Understanding Packaging) Scorecard, a game-changing tool in choosing sustainable packaging. This scorecard helps businesses and individuals evaluate the environmental and human health impacts of foodware and packaging choices. UP Scorecard is a project of the Single-Use Material Decelerator, or SUM’D, a team of leading food and service companies, NGOs (including PPC), and technical experts coordinated by the Food Packaging Forum Foundation.

In our March webinar, Grasping at Straws: Policy Solutions for Safe Drinking Water, our Filtered Not Bottled Campaign Coordinator Rachel Bustamante moderated a discussion with experts in advocacy, policy, and media on how local and state governments can provide access to Filtered Not Bottled water as well as advance policy solutions and debunk myths surrounding single-use plastic straw and water bottles. You can watch the recording here.

In other news, recent developments out of California highlight the plastic industry's influence on politics, which is slowing the progress of meaningful plastic pollution legislation. A new bill proposal is threatening to gut the “Truth in Labeling Law”—we have the latest news about the proposal here.

Have you ever wondered what really happens to your plastic recycling? Or what “advanced recycling” means? We’ve updated our website’s top-read blog post on plastic “recycling” to reflect new research and findings, as well as other new greenwashed recycling tactics promoted by the plastics industry—including adding bacteria and enzymes to plastic. Read the updated blog. 

Finally, March is International Women’s Month, and we compiled some inspiring words of wisdom from women who have dedicated themselves to protecting our planet. Read here.

Thank you for being part of our amazing network.

Onward,

Erica Cirino
Communications Manager
Plastic Pollution Coalition

P.S. Please consider supporting our work, to advance real solutions and to continue telling the truth about plastic pollution.

★ Mardi Gras Win! The Krewe of Freret Parade is the First to Ban Plastic Beads
We applaud the Krewe of Freret for making Mardi Gras history. With the help of Boyfriend—a PPC Notable Member artist—KoF has become the first-ever Krewe to ban plastic Mardi Gras beads. Read more.

★ New California Bill (AB 473) Threatens to Gut “Truth in Labeling” Law (SB 343)
New developments in California show how the plastic industry's influence on politics is delaying and distracting from implementing effective plastic pollution legislation. We break down the latest on AB 473 and its potential impact on California’s “Truth in Labeling” Law (SB 343) —read more.

★ What Really Happens to Your Plastic “Recycling”
Ever wondered what really happens to the plastic that you set out for “recycling”? The truth is, plastic is more likely to be incinerated, landfilled, or shipped elsewhere—not recycled. We’ve recently made significant updates to our top-read PPC blog, reflecting new data, research, and other developments in plastic recycling—read more.

★ International Women’s Day: Words of Wisdom for Our Planet
In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, we shared words of wisdom from women who have dedicated themselves to protecting our planet. Featuring quotes from Nina Azzahra, Rachel Carson, Sylvia Earle, Jane Goodall, Hazel Johnson, Alice Waters, and more. Read here for a dose of inspiration.

★ Special Event: How Plastics Fueled the LA Wildfires & How to Rebuild Better
On March 6, 2025, PPC held a special roundtable event with an expert panel to discuss the increasingly devastating toll of wildfires on human and environmental health in our increasingly plastified world, and how Los Angeles and other regions impacted by wildfires can rebuild in a better, more resistant, and more resilient way. Joining the discussion was Silverio Caggiano, Member of International Association of Firefighters Retirees (IAFF); Cassidy Clarity, Materials Researcher, Habitable; and Tevin Hamilton, Coalition Coordinator, Physicians for Social Responsibility - Los Angeles (PSR-LA). The discussion was moderated by Dianna Cohen, CEO & Co-Founder, Plastic Pollution Coalition. Watch the recording.

★ PPC March Webinar: Grasping at Straws: Policy Solutions for Safe Drinking Water
On March 20, 2025, PPC held a discussion with experts in advocacy, policy, and media on how local and state governments can provide access to filtered, not bottled water; advance policy solutions; and dispel myths about single-use plastic straw and water bottles. Joining the conversation was Rachel Dawn Davis, Public Policy & Justice Organizer, Waterspirit; Gina Ramirez, Director of Midwest Environmental Health, NRDC; and Douglas Main, Environmental Journalist. The webinar was moderated by Rachel Bustamante, Campaign Coordinator for the Filtered Not Bottled campaign at Plastic Pollution Coalition. Watch the recording.

➤ Find more Latest News on our website.

★ PPC April Webinar: This is Your Brain on Plastic: What You Need to Know About Plastics & Health
On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Plastic Pollution Coalition will host a panel of experts to explore the latest research and discuss how you can protect yourself and your loved ones while also supporting the wider systemic changes needed to solve the plastic pollution crisis. Joining the discussion will be Dr. Shanna Swan, Prof. Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai; Aminah Taariq-Sidibe, Manager of End Plastic Initiatives, EarthDay.Org; and Ziya Tong, Author & Filmmaker. The webinar will be moderated by Dr. Manasa Mantravadi, Pediatrician & Founder/CEO, Ahimsa. Sign up. 

★ Single-Use Planet: Screening & Discussion Event
On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, an in-person event at the Hill Center in Washington DC will feature a panel of leading experts, moderated by Shannon Osaka of the Washington Post, discussing all aspects of the plastic pollution crisis. Following the panel discussion will be a screening of the new documentary film “Single-Use Planet,” coming to public television nationwide beginning in April 2025, just in time for Earth Day (check local listings) Register here.

★Plastic, the New Coal: An International Exhibit by Apexart 
Apexart’s exhibit, “Plastic, the New Coal” will present the work of seven artists from March 15–April 15, 2025, including participants in an online Plastics Dialogue since the fall of 2021. The Opening Reception will be held on March 15 at 6 pm CST at The Descendants Project, Education and Cultural District, 167 Alexis Court, Vacherie, Louisiana. Selected artists include: Hannah Chalew, Shana M Griffin, Heather Bird Harris, Pamela Longobardi, Juan Carlos Quintana, Renee Royale, and Luba Zygarewicz. Learn more.

★ “Especies Mensajeras” Art Exhibition by Álvaro Soler-Arpa
The art exhibition “Messenger Species” by Plastic Pollution Coalition Artist Ally Álvaro Soler-Arpa opens on Thursday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m. at the Biodiversity Foundation’s Seville headquarters, located at Patio de Banderas 16, in Seville, Spain. The exhibition is open to the public free of charge from April 4 to September 14, 2025. To attend the opening ceremony on April 3, complete the registration form.

➤ Find more Events on our website.

★ Visit Pirani’s #contributesustainably Collection and Support PPC
Pirani Life, a PPC Business Member on a mission to eliminate single-use plastic solo cups and normalize reuse, allows customers to purchase tumblers while supporting nonprofits. This give back program, known as the #contributesustainably collection, now features Plastic Pollution Coalition— tumblers will are co-branded with the PPC logo, and 100% of the profits are donated back to Plastic Pollution Coalition in return. This is a great way to support a small business, encourage reuse among your family and friends, and contribute to our work. 

★ Aruna Revolution: A Whiteboard Video on the Environmental Impact of Menstrual Products
In Part I of a two-part collaboration with PPC Business Member Aruna Revolution, we shine a light on the environmental impact of menstrual products around the world and emerging solutions from renewable, plant-based fibers. Over 1.8 billion people around the world menstruate, and because most menstrual products are single-use plastic, the cumulative impact is significant. Learn what materials are being used to create compostable alternatives in our newest collaboration as we come to the close of International Women’s Month. Watch the video.

★ GOB Makes Fast Company’s Top 5 Innovative Companies in Consumer Goods List
Last month, we worked with innovative materials company GOB to spread awareness about the harms of PVC earplugs and showcase their mycelium solution, now available to the public. GOB has already made FastCompany’s top 5 most innovative companies in consumer and household goods for their game-changing and yet simple solution from nature. Better for auditory health and completely biodegradable after use, these mushroom earplugs are making noise in all the best ways— demonstrating a charge in the biomaterials movement. Learn more about GOB’s mycelium earplugs.

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

★ Tell EPA: Ensure Safe Drinking Water Without Plastic Pollution
Join us in calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure access to safe drinking water and stop the harms of single-use plastic water bottles. Safe drinking water should be accessible to all without exacerbating the plastic pollution crisis. It’s time for the EPA to take action and advance Filtered, Not Bottled water. Sign the petition. 

★ Tell Adidas, Amazon, Apple, H&M, Shein, & Unilever: Stop Trashing the Planet!
We are calling on some of the world's largest companies in their sectors—Adidas, Amazon, Apple, H&M, Shein, and Unilever—to immediately reduce their use and production of plastic packaging and cheap disposable products that are trashing our planet. Urge these companies to implement stronger targets for reducing plastic waste and increasing reuse efforts, and scale back their manipulative ads that drive the relentless cycle of overconsumption. Sign the petition.

★ Tell U.S. Leaders to Take a Strong Stance on the Global Plastics Treaty
The UN Global Plastics Treaty negotiations have been extended, with INC-5.2 now scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, in August 2025. Urge U.S. leaders to lead by forging ambitious solutions—like reducing plastic production—instead of leading the world in generating plastic pollution. Sign the petition.

➤ Find more Ways to Take Action

★ Celebrate Earth Day with a Plastic People Film Screening – Special Discount Available
This year marks the 55th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2025. As we continue the conversation around microplastics and health, we want to help you bring the award-winning documentary Plastic People: The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics to your network—whether it’s your team, community, or supporters. There are a range of resources available to make it easy to engage and inspire action, including a Social Media Toolkit, a Community Screenings Toolkit, and an Education Toolkit. Plus, for a limited time, use the special code PLASTICPOLLUTIONCOALITION to receive a substantial discount on the license fee. Let’s make this Earth Month one to remember—reach out directly to [email protected] to get started.

★ Algalita’s Earth Month Classroom Challenge 
Through Wayfinder Society, Algalita awards bi-monthly mini-grants to educators leading the way in environmental education. You could win $500 for your classroom. Learn more.

★ Toxic-Free Future (TFF) is looking for a Mind the Store Program Manager
Toxic-Free Future is looking to hire a Mind the Store Program Manager. The Manager will play a leadership role in TFF’s Mind the Store program, challenging major corporations to adopt ground-breaking safer chemicals policies to reduce and eliminate dangerous chemicals and plastics and transform the marketplace to safer solutions. Apply here.

★ Brower Youth Awards
The Brower Youth Awards are looking to recognize a young leader of an environmental group or effort. Youth environmental change leaders ages 13 to 22 living in North America (including Mexico, Canada, and U.S. territories) are encouraged to apply. The application deadline for submission is Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 11:59pm PT. Recipients will receive a $3,000 cash prize, a short film produced about their work, a trip to participate in leadership development activities, flights, meals, and lodging accommodations. Apply here.

★ Plastic Kills… Again! Short Film Contest 
PPC has teamed up with Earth Angel for a second round of our popular Plastic Kills short film contest. We’re challenging filmmakers to create original horror short films that highlight the terrors of plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on our bodies, children, pets, and planet, while also helping to show real solutions to this real-life menace. This time, we’re offering cash prizes for first, second, and third place, with a grand prize of $3,000. Submissions are due September 15, 2025, giving you plenty of time to scare up your spookiest stories. Sign up for email updates.

➤ Find more Resources in our Resource Library.