Dear John,

I recently returned from Geneva, Switzerland from the latest negotiating session for a United Nations Plastics Treaty (INC-5.2), which I attended along with Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC) staff, scientific advisors, business members, youth, and allies. The good news is that ambitious countries stood firm through conflicts of interest and a flawed process to reject a weak treaty that failed to protect people and the planet. For now, no treaty is better than a weak one! Yet this means the work is far from over. We remain committed to pushing for a strong UN Plastics Treaty that stops plastic pollution at its source and throughout its existence, and advances real solutions for a just, toxic-free future. Learn more.

Speaking of solutions, we invite you to join us on Friday November 7 in Santa Monica, California, for our first-ever Plastic Pollution Solutions Expo, featuring leaders and innovators including PPC Business Members Cruz Foam, GOB, Ettitude, LOLIWARE, and more. Register here.

We’re also thrilled to announce that on Saturday November 8, 2025, TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch will be livestreamed from Santa Monica, California, featuring sessions with global thought leaders addressing the question: How Do We Solve Plastic Pollution by 2040? We will dive into exploring solutions to the plastic pollution crisis—strong policies; culture change; and business solutions, including corporate accountability, regenerative materials and product design, responsible finance and investing, and reuse and circular systems. Be sure to sign up to join the TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch livestream and to receive information about the archived talks post event.

As always, we’re committed to telling the truth about plastic pollution and leading with real solutions. All of us at PPC are deeply grateful to have you as part of our community.

Onward,

Dianna Cohen
Co-Founder & CEO
Plastic Pollution Coalition

P.S. Please support us—every dollar matters and helps fund our critical work.

★ Ambitious Countries Reject Weak UN Plastics Treaty in Geneva, Switzerland (INC-5.2)
Despite a flawed negotiating process and the U.S. and others backing polluters over people, ambitious countries and civil society rejected a weak treaty. Advocates, Indigenous Peoples, and scientists powerfully mobilized in Geneva to call for a treaty that centers human and environmental health, and the negotiations will continue. Read more.

★ Plastic Pollution Coalition Files “False and Deceptive Marketing” Complaint Against Just Goods, Inc., Makers of Just Water
While Just Water advertises its products as “natural” and “pure 100% Spring Water,” an independent laboratory evaluation revealed microplastics in Just Water’s packaged water products. These findings run contrary to Just Water’s advertising claims—read more.

★ What’s the Problem with Plastic? And What Can You Do About It?
Need a way to explain the problem with plastic with one easy link? Here we cover the basics of the problem with plastics—and why its entire existence contributes to human health harms and injustices worldwide. Hint: It reaches far beyond people not putting plastic recycling in the correct bin. Every plastic item you’ve ever used or seen in your lifetime is still in existence in some form on the planet, and it will still be here long after you’re gone—including your childhood toothbrush. Read more.

★ No Plastic Fix for Bad Drinking Water 
For cities facing unsafe drinking water, like lead pipes in New York City, plastic bottled water is a costly and toxic alternative. In this new op-ed, PPC and Filtered Not Bottled grantee, Cooper Square Committee, make the case for water filters as the better interim solution. Read more.

★ An Effort is Underway to Replace Lead Pipes in Orange and Make Drinking Water Safer
Safe tap water should be the norm, not plastic bottles. In communities like Orange, New Jersey, where lead pipes threaten health, water filters can help restore trust in public water while cutting toxic and costly plastic pollution. PPC and Filtered Not Bottled grantee, The HUUB, and local partner, Friends of Metcalf Park explain why. Read more. 

➤ Find more Latest News on our website.

★ 2025 Plastic Pollution Solutions Expo | November 7th, Santa Monica, CA
Come join us on November 7th for our first-ever Plastic Pollution Solutions Expo, which will take place in Santa Monica, CA. This open format, walk-through event is designed to bring together a diverse audience to stimulate knowledge sharing and provide exposure for upstream solutions. From regenerative materials for textiles and packaging to stainless steel reuse systems, you’ll engage with leaders and innovators like PPC Business Members Cruz Foam, GOB, Ettitude, and LOLIWARE. We’ll even have light bites with Haute Mobile Disco DJ mixes throughout the day. Register today.

★ Sign up for the TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch livestream on November 8th
On November 8th, TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch will be livestreamed from Santa Monica, CA, featuring sessions with global thought leaders addressing the question: How Do We Solve Plastic Pollution by 2040? Topics include microplastics and human health, environmental justice, climate change, and much more. Take part in this exciting event from wherever you are in the world! Even if you can’t watch live, be sure to sign up to receive information about the archived talks after the event. Sign up.

★ Win $3,000 in PPC’s “Plastic Kills… Again!” Short Film Contest 
Plastic Pollution Coalition 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 with a grand prize of $3,000. Submissions are due by September 15, 2025. Learn more. 

★ Achieving a 30% Reuse Future for the UK
A new study by PPC Business Member GoUnpackaged found that the UK grocery market could save hundreds of millions of dollars in end-to-end system costs by scaling up reuse systems. Among others, their findings show that a 30% reuse scenario could be achieved by converting just 18 priority categories of products and can result in substantial economic growth, emissions savings, and job creation. Read more. 

★ Bodhi Surf + Yoga awarded the Bandera Azul (Blue Flag) for Climate Change
Congratulations to PPC Business Member Bodhi Surf + Yoga for being awarded their second Ecological Bandera Azul (Blue Flag) for climate change. The Bandera Azul is a certification in Costa Rica for businesses that adhere to a strict set of sustainability requirements. Learn more. 

★ Apply for Paid Students Taking on Oil and Petrochemicals (STOP) Fellowship
Applications are now open for Post-Landfill Action Network’s sixth Students Taking on Oil and Petrochemicals (STOP) fellowship cohort. This paid fellowship will take place Oct. 2025–April 2026 and is meant for college/university students located near petrochemical sites, with an additional focus on states within the Ohio River Valley (PA, OH, WV). Apply by September 15.

➤ Visit our website for more Resources, Events, and Ways to Take Action.