Chemical Footprint of a Plastic Bottle
It turns out that plastics are a much bigger problem than previously thought. Not only are they enormously polluting when created, but one of the main sources of ethylene oxide pollution -- linked to cancer and organ damage. Plastic packaging also leaches toxics into food and beverages with which it comes in contact. On top of all that, microplastics have been found to contaminate water, soil, air, and bodies -- including placentas and breastmilk!
There are several excellent organizations focused on reducing plastics. One is the Collaborative for Health & Environment, whose webinar I just watched and heartily recommend: https://www.healthandenvironment.org/webinars/96691
The Chemical Footprint of a Plastic Bottle
The global beverage industry buys more than 500 billion plastic bottles every year to package its products. A recent report documents the harmful impacts of plastic bottles on human health,...
www.healthandenvironment.org
Did you know that ~80% of petrochemicals are used for plastics? As climate change shuts down oil and gas use for energy, the fossil fuel industry is doubling down on plastics, to the detriment of all. Making plastic is a huge contributor to climate change, as well as toxics; the whole process is entirely unsustainable.
Four parallel strategies must be pursued to end the growing harm from petrochemical plastics:
Eliminate unnecessary and problematic uses of plastics, including single-use packaging.
Detoxify the plastics lifecycle by phasing out all uses of chemicals of high concern.
End racial disparities from plastics-related pollution by rooting out systemic racism.
Convert fossil petrochemicals to renewable carbon sources for durable uses of plastics.
If you would like to join the effort to curtail unnecessary plastic use and get the EPA to better regulate this highly polluting process -- leaks of ethylene oxide could be prevented right now! -- customize the letter below.
For more information, consult the following resources:
Plastic & Climate: The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet - Center for International Environmental Law
CIEL joined partners in releasing a groundbreaking report that examines the full plastic life cycle impacts on climate.
www.ciel.org
https://www.beyondplastics.org/plastics-and-climate
Although rarely acknowledged, the U.S. plastics industry is a major climate change polluter. New report reveals that plastics are on track to surpass coal's greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 - and more.
www.beyondplastics.org
https://defendourhealth.org/campaigns/plastic-pollution/
Plastic Pollution & Climate - Defend Our Health
Join the fight to prevent plastic pollution Plastics! That one word conjures up multiple threats to our health, justice, and environment. Plastic waste litters every coastline, chokes wildlife, and sheds microplastics everywhere, even into our food and bodies. The climate crisis has been prolonged by rapidly increasing production of plastics with rising greenhouse gas emissions from burning oil &… Read more »
defendourhealth.org
