People power vs. plastic pollution
More—and better—regulation can help fight the manifold harms caused by plastic.
Today on The Condor, we published “Plastic chemicals are inescapable — and they’re messing with our hormones.” Grist’s Joseph Winters writes:
Scientists know, for example, that at least 3,200 plastic chemicals pose risks to human health or the environment. They know that most of these compounds can leach into food and beverages, and that they cost the U.S. more than $900 billion in health expenses annually. Yet only 6 percent of plastic chemicals — which can account for up to 70 percent of a product’s weight — are subject to international regulations.
Over the past few months, a flurry of studies and reports have highlighted one group of substances as particularly problematic: “endocrine-disrupting chemicals,” or EDCs. These chemicals, released at every stage of the plastic life cycle, mimic hormones and interfere with the metabolic and reproductive systems. They were recently found in samples of plastic food packaging from around the world, and a study published last month linked them to [10] percent [of] the United States’ preterm births.
Read the rest
A plastics 🐰🕳️
The abundance of plastics is inextricably connected to the climate crisis:
Why plastics are also a climate issue (GreenBiz)
How the fossil fuel industry is pushing plastics on the world (CNBC)
Petrochemical companies have known for 40 years that plastics recycling wouldn’t work (Grist)
When it comes to keeping food fresh, we can find alternatives:
So Much Produce Comes in Plastic. Is There a Better Way? (New York Times)
How plastics are making us sick:
The Scary New Evidence on BPA-Free Plastics (Mother Jones)
How Plastic Can Harm Your Health (Consumer Reports)
An upcoming webinar courtesy of Beyond Plastics:
We are excited to welcome Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, a world-renowned pediatrician, public health physician, and epidemiologist back to the virtual stage for this free educational webinar on Thursday, May 2. If you don’t already know him, Dr. Landrigan is at the forefront of exploring what our ever-increasing exposure to plastics means for our health and longevity as well as how we can reduce our exposure. Please click here to register.
The good news is that regulations and legislation can help turn the tide
To see evidence of that, let’s look at Amazon (the global e-commerce behemoth, not the gigantic rainforest!).
In 2022, Amazon reduced plastic use globally—but not in the US. A study by Oceana found:
📥 Amazon cut global plastic use by 11.6% in 2022
🗑️ However, it used 10% more plastic packaging in the US in 2022 (generating 208 million pounds of plastic waste)
🍃 Environmental Impact: An estimated 22 million pounds of Amazon's plastic packaging will ended up in waterways and seas from 2022 alone
📊 Amazon's reductions were influenced by regulations in other countries
Grist’s Joseph Winters writes:
In 2019, for example, Amazon India pledged to phase out plastic packaging after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on constituents to “make India free of single-use plastic,” hinting that he would announce major restrictions on the material later that year. Within months, Amazon India said it had eliminated plastic packaging from the country’s fulfillment centers, replacing it largely with paper.
In the European Union, a directive on single-use plastics has made it unlawful since 2021 to sell several types of single-use plastic, including bags, and after a long drafting process, the bloc last month agreed to “historic” targets to reduce packaging waste by 15 percent by 2040. Amazon said in 2022 that it had eliminated single-use plastic delivery bags at its fulfillment centers across the continent.
Despite efforts from progressive lawmakers, the U.S. still lacks a federal plan to phase down plastic packaging, which could help explain why Amazon hasn’t acted more aggressively on the issue stateside.
People power vs. plastic pollution
The fight against the climate, health and ecological harms caused by plastic requires a multi-pronged approach. From international treaties negotiated at the country level, right down to laws passed by your city or county. And, of course, there is a lot that can be done at the state level too—especially in one the size of California.
Here in the Golden State, there are three major plastics bills making their way through our state legislature this year. Climate Action California’s Plastics and Toxins Team1 are advocating for them to get passed.
Below, Californians Against Waste explains what the bills would achieve; click on “Share your support” underneath each one to write a letter to California legislators expressing your support.
The more people who show they’re in favor of these laws getting passed, the more likely it is that California’s politicians will do the right thing and vote “aye.”
The bills:
Reducing Toxics in Packaging
AB 2761 (Hart & Lowenthal)
Toxic plastics cannot be part of a truly circular economy. This bill would prohibit toxic PVC) and PFAS in plastic packaging. These carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting materials threaten our health at every point in their lifecycle.
Share your support for AB 2761
Reusable Cups for Dine In
SB 1167 (Blakespear)
According to CalRecycle, each year California discards 500,000 tons of single-use plastic food service ware, including single-use cups. This bill would require coffee shops to serve beverages to dine-in customers in reusable cups.
Share your support for SB 1167
Closing the Plastic Bag Loophole
SB 1053 (Blakespear & Allen)
Nearly a decade after California passed the (once) nation leading plastic bag ban, thicker "reusable" plastic bags still litter our communities. This bill would close the loophole that currently allows thicker plastic bags to be sold at checkouts, by prohibiting plastic grocery bags in California..
This team of volunteers advocates for effective, science-based policy and legislation to reduce the harms caused by plastic in California It meets twice a month on Zoom. If you’d like to join, fill out our volunteer sign-up form. Prior advocacy experience or scientific expertise is not required.