Anonymous,
Fossil fuel and chemical industry lobbyists are pushing for Kenya to continue taking in the world's plastic, despite its pledge to restrict plastic waste imports.[1] Instead of sending our trash to other countries to deal with, we should fix our plastic problem ourselves -- starting by getting rid of the worst single-use plastics.
U.S. PIRG and our national network are calling for bans on the worst single-use plastics. To make sure our campaigns have the resources they need to win, we've set a goal of raising $10,000 by Sept. 30. Will you help us continue this vital work?
Support U.S. PIRG's campaign to ban the worst single-use plastics in your state and in states across the country today.
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Far too often, we don't deal with our own plastic waste. Instead, the U.S. exports much of its plastic to other countries for processing.[2] In 2019 alone, the United States shipped more than 1 billion pounds of plastic waste to other countries.[3]
Last year, Kenya joined more than 180 countries in a pledge to restrict waste imports. But now, a trade group representing some the biggest fossil fuel and chemical companies is lobbying for Kenya to continue accepting foreign waste as part of a trade deal with the U.S.[4]
Instead of urging Kenya to accept our garbage, we should deal with it ourselves. The best way for us to confront our waste problem is to make less of it. That means stopping the use of unnecessary plastic items that often end up as garbage.
That's why we're campaigning for bans on the worst single-use items, such as foam takeout containers, in states across the country -- but we can't do it without the support of people like you.
Donate today: Help us tackle our nation's plastic problem.
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Here's what U.S. PIRG and our national network are doing to move our country beyond plastic:
* Campaigning for bans on the worst single-use plastics in states across the country. Already, our partners in Maryland have succeeded in making Maryland one of the first states to ban foam takeout containers. And just last week, the New Jersey legislature made history by passing the most comprehensive single-use plastics ban in the country, sending it to the governor's desk to await a signature.
* Working with federal lawmakers to move our country beyond plastic. Advocates with our national network worked closely with U.S. Sen. Tom Udall and U.S. Rep. Alan Lowenthal to introduce the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020 -- legislation that would make producers of common waste items responsible for recycling or composting those products.[5]
* Opposing a $1 billion bailout for plastic companies. U.S. PIRG and our national network have organized thousands to urge their U.S. representatives to oppose a $1 billion taxpayer-funded bailout for the plastic industry.[6]
But we have a lot more work to do to tackle our plastic waste problem. Support from people like you is what allows us to field advocates and organizers, who can build broad support for solutions that work and get the ear of decision makers who can make a difference. Will you help us meet our fundraising goal of $10,000 by Sept. 30?
Donate today to help us continue our campaigns to ban the worst single-use plastics.
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Thank you,
Faye Park
President
1. Hiroko Tabuchi, Michael Corkery and Carlos Mureithi, "Big Oil Is in Trouble. Its Plan: Flood Africa With Plastic." The New York Times, August 30, 2020.
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2. Erin McCormick, Bennett Murray, Carmela Fonbuena, Leonie Kijewski, Gökçe Saraçoğlu, Jamie Fullerton, Alastair Gee, Charlotte Simmonds, "Where does your plastic go? Global investigation reveals America's dirty secret," The Guardian, June 17, 2019.
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3. Hiroko Tabuchi, Michael Corkery and Carlos Mureithi, "Big Oil Is in Trouble. Its Plan: Flood Africa With Plastic." The New York Times, August 30, 2020.
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4. Hiroko Tabuchi, Michael Corkery and Carlos Mureithi, "Big Oil Is in Trouble. Its Plan: Flood Africa With Plastic." The New York Times, August 30, 2020.
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5. "H.R.5845 - Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020," House.gov, last accessed September 3, 2020.
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6. Sharon Lerner, "Big Plastic Asks For $1 Billion Dollar Coronavirus Bailout," the Intercept, April 27, 2020.
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Your donation will power our dedicated staff of organizers, policy experts and attorneys who drive all of our campaigns in the public interest, from banning Roundup and moving us beyond plastic, to saving our antibiotics and being your consumer watchdog, to protecting our environment and our democracy. None of our work would be possible without the support of people just like you.
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U.S. PIRG
Main Office: 1543 Wazee St., Suite 460, Denver, CO 80202, (303) 801-0582
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