With the first month of 2023 already behind us, it’s clear this year is shaping up to be a critically important one for our movement and the planet. Building off the exponential growth in plastic policy action in 2022, we expect to see even more local, state, federal, and international governing bodies taking steps to reduce and eliminate plastic pollution at its source. And historically, this May, the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee will head to Paris for INC-2—the committee’s second meeting to negotiate an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution that will address the full life cycle of plastics, from production to disposal.

This year, at Plastic Pollution Coalition we are ramping up our campaigns to end plastic pollution and implement real solutions. This includes our advocacy of Filtered Not Bottled water distribution during U.S. lead pipe replacement projects, providing a pathway to equitable and nontoxic solutions for lead-impacted communities, providing resources to federal and local elected officials, and building public awareness about the hazardous pollution and injustice plastic causes. Additionally, our Flip the Script on Plastics initiative continues to gain momentum; we just launched a campaign celebrating the Oscars’ 95th anniversary, featuring winners and nominees that pass the Begley-Cohen Test—meaning no single-use plastic is shown on screen, or it is portrayed as problematic.

We continue to educate, connect, and advocate for a more just, equitable world free of plastic pollution, and encourage you to get involved! On February, 16, 2023, join us for a special webinar: Plastic-Free Pet Care: Safeguarding the Health of Our Furry Friends. We have invited experts to discuss the health hazards linked to plastic in pet care products, tips for finding plastic-free alternatives, and how we can all reduce the plastic footprint of caring for our animal friends.

Onward together!

Julia Cohen, MPH
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Plastic Pollution Coalition

P.S. We are ramping up our operations in 2023 and need your support. Please consider making a charitable donation to help us continue our work, and share our job openings. Your support is the driving force behind our every win!

★ Plastic Pollution Experts Judith Enck and Pete Myers Testify at U.S. Senate Hearing on Capitol Hill
Judith Enck, President of Beyond Plastics and former EPA Regional Administrator; and Dr. Pete Myers, Founder, CEO, and Chief Scientist of Environmental Health Sciences, testified in December 2022 before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works’ Subcommittee on Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice, and Regulatory Oversight. Both are scientific experts on plastic, as well asPlastic Pollution Coalition Advisors. This is the first time such a hearing has been convened to discuss the plastic pollution crisis. Read more.

★ My European Adventure: Finding Plastic Pollution Solutions in France & Switzerland
Discover the innovative ways Switzerland and France are reducing single-use plastics through the eyes of 11-year-old PPC Youth Ambassador Kareena Desai, as she shares her experiences from her recent trip to Europe. In an inspiring guest blog post, Kareena details how the simple practices she observed in Lucerne, Switzerland, & Paris, France, which have been required to cut plastic use under the European Union’s Single-Use Plastics Directive, may be implemented in the United States as well. Read more.

★ Microplastics, Nanoplastics, and You
You may have heard about microplastics and nanoplastics in the news, on social media, in your school or workplace, or in everyday conversation. “Microplastics” have even been deemed a “2023 Buzzword” by National Public Radio. Plastic is all around us…and inside of us. Check out our recent science-backed blog to learn what you need to know—and what you can do to protect your health. Read more.

★ January Webinar – Washed Up: The Invisible Threat of Plastic Microfibers
In our first webinar of 2023, we explored how the ubiquitous nature of synthetic textiles is causing a massive and largely invisible plastic pollution problem. We were joined by Meli Hinostroza, Co-Founder of Aya Eco Fashion & Arms of Andes; Dr. Andrej Kržan, Chief Scientist of PlanetCare; and Dr. Judith Weis, Professor Emerita of Biological Sciences at Rutgers University. The conversation was moderated by Madeleine MacGillivray, Climate and Plastics Campaign Coordinator at Seeding Sovereignty. Watch here.

★ Watch Highlights from The Ocean X Climate Summit 2022
In November 2022, Plastic Pollution Coalition Youth Ambassadors and Allies gathered in Egypt — as industry-dominated COP27 was also being held there — to discuss how protecting the ocean can help us mitigate the mounting impacts of the climate crisis. Watch highlights and access resources here.

★ Tell JPMorgan Chase: Defund Formosa Plastics
While Formosa Plastics’ “Sunshine Project” has been paused as a result of St. James’ residents’ activism, Formosa’s operations elsewhere continue — despite numerous legal violations, from dumping mercury-laced waste in Cambodia to poisoning fish in Vietnam to releasing plastic pellets into the Texas Gulf. In addition to such egregious pollution, the company’s dangerous plastics and petrochemical facilities have rocked nearby communities with deadly explosions. Tell JPMorgan Chase to live up to its “commitments” to human rights, responsible investing, and racial equity by divesting its current shares in Formosa Plastics—a plastics producer with one of the worst environmental and human rights track records in the world. Sign the petition.

★ Tell the EPA to Hold Chemours Accountable for PFAS Dump Into Cape Fear River
The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) has released a new documentary short, “Cape Fear Courage,” produced by the Emmy-winning filmmakers at Peak Plastic Foundation. Cape Fear River serves as a source of drinking water for nearly a half million people and several private wells, but despite local activism and the CEH's formal petition to the EPA on behalf of the community to force Chemours to pay for such health studies on 54 different PFAS chemicals found in the environment, the petition was denied. Sign the petition asking EPA to use its authority under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to hold Chemours accountable for its pollution, and to study critical testing on the health impacts of these chemicals.

★ 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. Sign the petition to ensure this funding goes to safe, non-plastic solutions that put community health and safety first.

➤ Find more Petitions on our website.

★ February 16 Webinar – Plastic-Free Pet Care: Safeguarding the Health of Our Furry Friends
During our February 16, 2023, webinar, we will discuss the health hazards of plastics used in pet care products. We’ll also provide tips and tricks for finding plastic-free alternatives and explore the impacts of plastic waste on the environment and how we can reduce our plastic footprint as we care for our animal friends. Whether you're a new pet owner or a seasoned pro, this webinar is for anyone who wants to learn more about how to provide the best possible care for their furry, feathered, or scaly pals, while also taking better care of our planet. Joining us will be Dr. Arlene Blum, Founder & Executive Director, Green Science Policy Institute; Dr. Marty Goldstein, Author & Veterinarian,“Ask Martha’s Vet”; and Tracy Rosensteel, Founder, Pooch Paper LLC. The webinar will be moderated by Dianna Cohen, Co-Founder and CEO, Plastic Pollution Coalition. Sign up.

➤ Find more Upcoming Events on our website & submit an event.

★ EPA Environmental Justice Grant Programs
The U.S. EPA has announced $100 million in total funding for Environmental Justice Grants, and we encourage our Members to take advantage of this opportunity. We know such grants can be cumbersome for some smaller groups given the substantial amount of paperwork involved, but there may be value in looking into this opportunity for your organization or group of organizations. *Application packages must be submitted on or before April 10, 2023 at 11:59 pm EST. Application information is here.

★ USAID Powered by the People (PxP) Grants Program
USAID has announced $45,000,000 in total funding over a five-year period to increase support to activists, civic organizations, and movements using collective action to make positive change. Similarly to the EPA grants outlined above, this opportunity with the USAID may be time-consuming for smaller groups. However, it may be worth your organization taking this opportunity into consideration. *Application packages must be submitted on or before March 1, 2023, at 3:00 pm EST. Application information can be found here, under “See Related Documents.”

★ Businesses: Take Advantage of the Public Comment Period for FTC Green Guides
The FTC is seeking public comments before it makes updates to its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims, or “Green Guides.” First published in 1992 and designed to provide guidance to industries on environmental marketing claims and how those claims may be interpreted and substantiated, the Green Guides were revised in 1996, 1998, and 2012, and have not been revised since—until now. This is an important opportunity to prevent further greenwashing in marketing. We encourage our PPC Business members to take advantage of this opportunity to leave feedback before the current deadline of Tuesday, February 21, 2023.

★ Plastic Pollution Coalition Is Hiring!
We are currently searching for a Communications Coordinator (Social Media) (Part-Time) and a Development Manager (Full-Time). We encourage you to review the job descriptions and share with your networks. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

★ Break Free From Plastic US Operations Assistant 2023
Our allies at Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) are seeking an experienced candidate to provide administrative and operations support to the BFFP US movement members and the BFFP US Coordination Team. The Assistant will also provide budget and grant development support to enable BFFP US’s small team to be able to facilitate and deliver the movement’s goals and strategies. Learn more.

★ Nominate Your Reuse Heroes for The Reusies 2023
Upstream’s third-annual awards recognizing reuse heroes across North America are open to nominations now through February 24, 2023. Be sure to enter your choices for Upstream’s multiple awards that recognize impact and innovation in business and community action. The Reusies are to be held on June 7, 2023, both in person at GreenBiz’s Circularity 23 in Seattle, Washington, and live-streamed around the world. Nominate your reuse heroes here.

★ Explore Plastic Pollution Coalition’s Resource Library
PPC has a wealth of resources 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 for ways to make a bigger impact, Plastic Pollution Coalition's resource library is a great place to start. Learn more.