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Webinars

Plastic Pollution Coalition’s Global Webinar Series brings together our global community to share the latest information, tips, and resources to stop the growing plastic pollution crisis.

February 15 | From the Frontline: Petrochemicals, Plastics, and Cancer Alley

Promotional image for PPC Feb 2024 webinar

February is Black History Month in the U.S., and despite major social justice wins over the last few decades, systemic racial and class injustices unfortunately continue to impact the lives of historically underserved groups. The serious consequences are clear: In the U.S., low-income, rural, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are disproportionately subject to and harmed by polluted air, waters, and soils from industrial infrastructure and activities. 

Join us on February 15 for our webinar From the Frontline: Petrochemicals, Plastics, and Cancer Alley. During this event, hear from frontline activists from communities of color across America’s industrial plastic and petrochemical corridors, who will discuss how they are taking action to protect themselves and their neighbors from pollution and injustice—and how you can, too. 

Our panelists for this important conversation include “The Father of Environmental Justice” Dr. Robert Bullard; RISE St. James Louisiana Executive Assistant Shamyra Lavigne; and Founder & CEO of Hip Hop Caucus, Reverend Lennox Yearwood. The conversation will be moderated by Plastic Pollution Coalition Communications Manager, Erica Cirino, author of Thicker Than Water: The Quest for Solutions to the Plastic Crisis.

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January 18 | Plastic-Free Resolutions: Protecting Your Health in 2024

With a new year comes new resolutions for protecting and improving the health of our bodies, families, communities, and the planet that we all call home. One healthy resolution to consider is to reduce or eliminate plastic from your life. But with plastic used for everything from making clothing to carrying food and drinks, this can seem like a daunting task.

In our first webinar of 2024, we offered tangible, common sense ways to reduce the amount of plastic you use in your daily life. We discussed why it’s important to avoid plastics, provided DIY and low- and no-cost solutions, and highlighted helpful products you may turn to when you need an extra hand. We were joined by Queer Brown Vegan Isaias Hernandez; Zero Waste Farmer Manju Kumar; and Co-Owner & Co-Founder of Life Without Plastic Jay Sinha. The conversation was moderated by MADE SAFE Founder Amy Ziff.

This webinar featured live Spanish translation by Alejandra Warren, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Plastic Free Future. The Spanish language recording can be found here. 

October 26 | Policy Matters: The UN Global Plastics Treaty

We are living in a time requiring unprecedented action to address the intertwined plastic pollution and climate crises and their toxic, unjust impacts on people and the planet. Right now, we have an opportunity to address these deeply interconnected and critical challenges within a United Nations (UN) Plastics Treaty, which is set to be finalized by 2025. With the third of five rounds of negotiations scheduled to take place next month in Nairobi, Kenya, this is a critical time to work toward an effective, equitable UN Plastics Treaty that stops plastics and fossil fuels at the source. Last month, the UN released a Zero Draft, the earliest iteration of the treaty which shows that, despite this being a big step forward, there is much work to do.

During our October 26 webinar, we discussed the latest developments in the UN Plastics Treaty negotiations with: Jo Banner, Co-Founder & Co-Director for The Descendants Project; Christopher Chin, Executive Director at the Center for Oceanic Awareness Research and Education; Justine Maillot, European Coordinator at Break Free From Plastic; and Larke Williams, Lead Plastic Pollution Negotiator at the U.S. Department of State. The conversation was led by moderator Rachel Radvany, Program Associate for Plastics Policy at the Center for International Environmental Law.

September 19 | Policy Matters: Solutions for a Plastic Pollution Free U.S.

Plastic pollution is an urgent threat to the climate, human health, communities, the environment, and wildlife. With industries set to triple their plastic production by 2060, public support for policies to reduce plastic pollution is growing across the world. From implementing bag bans and fees on single-use plastics, to rules that strengthen regulations on industrial polluters, communities and policymakers are using many strategies to address the growing plastic pollution crisis. Plastic pollution ultimately needs to be stopped at the source, and encouragingly, leaders in the United States are working to develop policy solutions that do just that. Bills like the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act and Reducing Waste in National Parks Act are legislative solutions intended to reduce and prevent single-use plastic and plastic’s many forms of pollution from impacting our climate, communities, waterways, and natural wonders.

During our September 19 webinar, we discussed policy solutions for addressing plastic pollution in the United States. We heard about what the Biden Administration is doing from Jonathan Black, Senior Director for Chemical Safety and Plastic Pollution Prevention at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. We were also joined by Joan Mooney, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Management and Budget for the U.S. Department of the Interior; and Jane Patton, U.S. Fossil Economy Campaign Manager at the Center for International Environmental Law. The conversation was moderated by Christy Leavitt, Campaign Director for Oceana.

Past Webinars

2023

2022

2021

2020

2023

August 17: Plastic-Free Back to School

With summer winding down in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s back-to-school time for many students. As young people reconnect with classroom friends and teachers, students, parents, and guardians are also busy stocking up on new supplies and clothes for the school year ahead. Unfortunately, if you walk down the aisles of almost any store this time of year you’ll notice plastic binders, water bottles, pens, and other single-use plastics marketed as “back-to-school” supplies. Step inside the school, and you’ll find even more plastic: lunch trays, drink bottles, utensils and more. Plastic school supplies, foodware, and synthetic clothing shed microplastics and contain hazardous chemicals known to harm people, and children are especially vulnerable to their effects.

The good news: it’s possible to avoid a school year filled with toxic plastic—and we are going to show you how. During our webinar, we learned why reusable, refillable, non-plastic school supplies like stainless steel lunch boxes and food storage containers are better for student health, the planet, and school and family budgets—and how to incorporate them into the school year. We also discussed how schools can incorporate reusable, plastic-free items and practices into their operations. We were joined by Jessica Cambell, Lower School Program Director & Educator at Mount Madonna School; Debby Lee Cohen,  Executive Director & Founder of Cafeteria Culture; and Heather Itzla, Founder of Wisdom Supply Co. The panel was moderated by Dr. Manasa Mantravadi, Pediatrician and Founder & CEO at Ahimsa.

July 20: Greening Hollywood Sets to Flip the Script on Plastics

The average film production uses as many as 39,000 single-use plastic bottles over a 60-day period. Removing single-use plastics from sets not only saves money, it can also help influence what is shown on screen and help transform our culture from viewing single-use plastics as “normal”— because they’re not. Through the power of collaboration, entertainment unions, advocacy organizations, and stars use their influence to divest from single use-plastic, both behind and in front of the camera.

During this thought-provoking discussion, we explored the power of the entertainment industry to drive positive change to measurably reduce plastic pollution by eliminating single-use plastic in production. We were joined by Ellen Crawford, Actor and Union Activist; Asher Levin, Creative Director of the Environmental Media Association (EMA); and Emellie O’Brien, CEO & Co-founder of Earth Angel. The panel was moderated by Jordan Howard, Founder of ShftSpace.

June 22: Plastic-Free Seas: Diving Into How Plastic Impacts Health, Climate, and Our Oceans

Healthy oceans provide vast cognitive, emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual wellness Blue Mind benefits to all of us throughout our lives. The oceans cover more than three-quarters of Earth’s surface and account for 97 percent of its water, as well as much of the air we breathe. The oceans support an incredible array of life, help regulate the climate, and support life on our blue planet. Unfortunately, our oceans face significant threats from human-made pollution, particularly plastic. Experts estimate nine to 14 million metric tons of plastic enter the oceans each year, and without urgent action, that amount will only increase—projected to reach 23–37 million metric tons annually by the year 2040.

On June 22, we discussed the challenges that plastic pollution poses to our oceans and our bodies, how polluted waters disrupt the mental health benefits we gain from access to healthy oceans and waterways, and how we may restore our planet as well as our own physical and mental well-being. We were joined by “Her Deepness,” Sylvia Earle, President & Co-Chair of Mission Blue and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence; Dr. Wallace J Nichols, Marine Biologist & Author of Blue Mind; and Imari Walker-Franklin, PhD, Research Chemist at RTI International & Author of Plastics. The panel was moderated by Plastic Pollution Coalition CEO & Co-Founder Dianna Cohen.

Hollywood Climate Summit

This webinar was being presented as part of the digital programming for the Hollywood Climate Summit, a hybrid event taking place online, and in person, in Los Angeles, California, June 22 & 23.

April 19: Greenwashing: Debunking the Plastic Industry’s False Narrative

People all over the world are tapping into their concern for the planet to make lifestyle changes that lessen their dependence on plastics. One result of this widespread ecological awareness is that more people than ever before are asking for products and services that are safer and healthier for humanity and nature. Many companies are responding with new marketing and ways of doing business, such as changing how their products and services are produced, packaged, and offered. But are all of businesses’ new plastic pollution solutions really as “green” as they seem? 

During the April 19, 2023 webinar we focused on the issue of “greenwashing” in the plastics industry—the epidemic of businesses falsely advertising products and initiatives as environmentally safe and friendly when they are not, masking real harm caused to the planet and people. We discussed how to avoid the plastic industry’s greenwashing traps to make better, more informed choices from our panel of experts who provided practical tips on how to identify genuinely sustainable products and companies, and how to spot the most common deceptive tactics used by major corporate polluters to greenwash their products.

We were joined by George Harding-Rolls, Campaign Manager for Changing Markets Foundation; Sumona Majumdar, Executive Director for Earth Island Institute; and Emma Priestland, Global Corporate Campaigns Coordinator for Break Free From Plastic in a conversation moderated by Shilpi Chhotray, Co-Founder & Executive Director of People Over Plastic.

March 23: Safe Drinking Water for All: Protecting Communities from Plastic During U.S. Lead Pipe Replacement

All people deserve access to safe drinking water. As part of the UN 2023 Water Conference, we are highlighting the need to keep plastic—and its toxic impacts—out of our water systems. Plastics are a health threat at every stage of their existence and are a critical environmental injustice issue disproportionately harming rural, low-income, and communities of color on the front lines of plastic production and disposal. That’s why plastic is not the solution for replacing the toxic lead pipes that currently deliver water into the homes of 22 million people in the United States. With $15 billion designated for lead pipe replacement over the next 5 years, this is the time to influence how the federal and local government use these funds to provide toxic-free drinking water without plastic. 

During our March 23 webinar, we discussed the health hazards of single-use plastic bottles and plastic pipes such as those made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). We also recommended options for safe, non-plastic drinking water solutions during lead pipe replacement as well as tips and resources to ensure community water sources remain free of pollutants. These solutions are applicable not only for lead-impacted communities, but also the growing number of communities impacted by PFAs, microplastics, and other chemicals that commonly contaminate water resources.

We were joined by Brandi Williams, Good Trouble Department Civil and Human Rights & Fields Campaign Director, Hip Hop Caucus;  Sharon Lavigne, founder of Rise St. James and 2021 recipient of the Goldman Environmental Prize; Judith Enck, President of Beyond Plastics and former Regional Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Dr. Terrence Collins, Professor of Green Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University; and Erica Cirino, Plastic Pollution Coalition Communications Manager and author of Thicker Than Water: The Quest for Solutions to the Plastic Crisis. The webinar moderated by Madison Dennis, Filtered Not Bottled Campaign Coordinator, Plastic Pollution Coalition.

February 16: Plastic-Free Pet Care: Safeguarding the Health of Our Furry Friends

Did you know that plastic can be harmful to your pet’s health? From plastic toys to disposable food containers and poop bags, plastic pet care items are everywhere. Science has established links between exposure to plastic chemicals and a range of diseases in humans—and many of the same risks apply to our furry, feathered, and scaly friends!

During our February 16, 2023, webinar, we discussed the health hazards of plastics used in pet care products. We also provided tips and tricks for finding plastic-free alternatives and explored 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 was for anyone who wanted 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.

We were joined by Dr. Arlene Blum, Founder & Executive Director, Green Science Policy Institute; Dr. Marty Goldstein, Veterinarian & Author, The Spirit of Animal Healing; and Tracy Rosensteel, Founder, Pooch Paper LLC. The webinar was moderated by Dianna Cohen, Co-Founder and CEO, Plastic Pollution Coalition.

Thanks to everyone who was able to join us for the webinar! We will be sharing the webinar recording here shortly.

January 12: Washed Up: The Invisible Threat of Plastic Microfibers

Over 60% of clothing sold worldwide contains plastic—in the forms of polyester, acrylic, nylon, spandex, and more. Through regular washing and wearing, synthetic clothing sheds tiny plastic particles called “microfibers.” A single load of laundry can release over 9 million microfibers into our waterways. Many microfibers are so small they cannot be filtered by wastewater treatment facilities and ultimately end up in our oceans.

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, Aya Eco Fashion & Arms of Andes; Dr. Andrej Kržan, Chief Scientist, 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, Seeding Sovereignty.

Resources 

2022

November 17: Plastic-Free Presents: Mindful Gifting for Healthier Holidays

Every holiday season, millions of people face the challenge of finding thoughtful gifts for the ones they love. Unfortunately, cultural norms around holiday gift giving often create an ocean of waste in their wake—in packaging, wrapping, and in the many gifted items that are used a limited number of times before breaking or being discarded. Many of these items are made from plastic that offgases toxic chemicals and sheds microplastic particles, which are harmful to animals and people, especially children. Fortunately, there are alternative ways to celebrate and by forging new traditions, we can gift mindfully for healthier, lower waste holidays.

This special holiday webinar featured Alejandra Warren, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Plastic Free Future and Dr. Manasa Mantravadi, Pediatrician, Founder/CEO of Ahimsa in a discussion moderated by Dianna Cohen, Plastic Pollution Coalition’s Co-Founder & CEO.

It is best to be present, create new traditions, or give experiences and second-hand gifts instead of buying products extracted from Earth’s precious natural resources. But if you are planning to purchase new physical gifts this year, please support plastic-free businesses that strive to be friendlier to people and the planet. We invite you to sign up for our 2022 Plastic-Free Holiday Gift Guide. Shop plastic-free this holiday season, get exclusive discounts from sustainable businesses, and help reduce plastic pollution.

October 27: A Poison Like No Other: How Microplastics Corrupted Our Planet & Our Bodies

Microplastics are everywhere. They’re in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. They’re small enough to enter our cells, and they can mimic our hormones. Scientists are only beginning to understand the long-term impacts these invisible contaminants have on our bodies—many have been linked to diseases, from diabetes to certain cancers. Plastics are a risk to all of us—made up of over 10,000 chemicals that are harmful to our health and the planet.

During the webinar, we had a conversation with Matt Simon, author of the new book, A Poison Like No Other: How Microplastics Corrupted Our Planet and Our Bodies, and Dr. Deonie Allen & Dr. Steve Allen of Plastic Pollution News about the harmful impact of microplastics on our environment and our bodies.

September 14: Crafting Hollywood Storylines That Flip the Script on Plastics

Removing single-use plastics from Hollywood sets is important to help address plastic pollution, but if storylines continue to be littered with plastics we are missing a critical opportunity for societal awareness and transformative change. Entertainment is a powerful way to engage audiences on the issue, and while we’re seeing more references to the impacts of plastics on human health, animals, and the ocean in film and television, it’s not enough. So how do we ensure our stories set the scene for a plastic-free future without turning our favorite films and shows into a PSA on plastics?

During the September 14 webinar, we discussed tips and tools to help scriptwriters seamlessly craft plastic-free and plastic-aware worlds. The webinar was moderated Kate Folb, Director of Hollywood, Health & Society, and panelists included Fishtown Films’ Emily Gallagher & Austin Elston, the creative team behind the first ever zero-waste feature film “Citywide”, and Scott Z. Burns, one of the producers of An Inconvenient Truth, and the screenwriter behind Contagion and AppleTV+’s upcoming Extrapolations.

August 25: Will Mushrooms & Seaweed Help Replace Single-Use Plastic?

Our world is overwhelmed by single-use plastic packaging and products, and it’s having devastating consequences on our climate, communities, and health. But what if all those items weren’t made of toxic, fossil fuel-based plastic? What if they were made from regenerative materials like mushrooms or seaweed?

During the webinar on Thursday, August 25, 2022, as we sat down with three companies providing innovative technologies to replace single-use plastics with renewable, compostable, and eco-friendly alternatives—Ecovative, LOLIWARE, and Sway. Panelists included Julia Marsh, Co-Founder and CEO of Sway, Meghan Olson, Director of Mushroom® Packaging at Ecovative, and Dr. Victoria Piunova, Chief Technology Officer at LOLIWARE. The panel will be moderated by Julia Cohen, Managing Director of Plastic Pollution Coalition.

The Challenges & Opportunities of Making Your Business Plastic Free

Starting and managing a business is hard work, and it can be especially challenging if you want to provide products and services that are not encased in toxic plastic. From skin & hair care products to food and cosmetics—plastic is so ubiquitous it can seem like the only option. Fortunately, it isn’t! During the July 27, we had a discussion with business owners who have succeeded in going plastic free, and learned how they did it.

Special thanks to Pangea Organics for sponsoring this webinar.

PANELISTS

– Joshua Onysko, Founder & CEO, Pangea Organics

– Cassia Patel, Director of Programs, Oceanic Global

–  Alejandra Warren, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Plastic Free Future

MODERATOR

– Erica Cirino, Communications Manager, Plastic Pollution Coalition

Toxic Tours: Virtually Experience the Impact of Plastic Production on Frontline Communities

During the June 22, we learned more about some of these communities and this powerful new Toxic Tours platform—which we at Plastic Pollution Coalition nominated for The Earthshot Prize—to help people around the world understand the toxic consequences of plastic production on communities and the environment.

PANELISTS

  • Lois Bjornson
    Impacted Resident, Southwestern Pennsylvania & Field Organizer
    Clean Air Council

  • Erica Jackson
    Manager of Community Outreach and Support
    FracTracker Alliance

  • Diego Mayen
    Member, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, Oil & Gas Committee, West Long Beach, California

MODERATOR

The Power of Service: Moving from Anxiety to Action for the Planet

Every day we are faced with news of climate change, the global plastics crisis, depletion of the rainforest, economic injustice, war, and more. With so many imminent threats to our environment and world happening all at once, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But there are solutions and there is hope! During the April 27 webinar, we focused on how to move from climate anxiety towards climate action.

PANELISTS

  • Maya Penn
    CEO of Maya’s Ideas, Environmental Activist, Animator & Author

  • Dr. Britt Wray
    Human and Planetary Health Fellow, Stanford University, and author of Generation Dread

MODERATOR

The Global Plastics Treaty: What You Need To Know

What is the Global Plastics Treaty, and what do we mean when we say it needs to be “legally binding” and “address the full life cycle of plastic”? And what does the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2) in Nairobi have to do with it?

During the March 16 webinar, we heard from experts about the need and opportunity to negotiate a bold and binding global commitment to address plastic pollution, and learned about what happened at UNEA 5.2 from some key people who were on the ground there.

PANELISTS

MODERATOR

Dont' Look Down: How Misinformation & Science Denial Obscures the Global Plastics and Climate Crisis

During the February 16 webinar, the panelists discussed the impacts of plastics on climate and human health and how industry uses science denial and misinformation to prevent urgent and transformative solutions from being adopted. The webinar featured Yvette Arellano, Founder & Executive Director of Fenceline Watch; Shilpi Chhotray, Co-Founder & Executive Director of People Over Plastic; and Dr. Michael Mann, Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science & Director, Earth System Science Center, Pennsylvania State University, whose work and persona provided inspiration for Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in the satirical film Don’t Look Up.

Flip the Script on Plastics in Hollywood: Rethinking Single-Use Plastics in Film & Television

During the January 19 webinar, we had a deep-dive discussion on Flip the Script on Plastics—an initiative to empower the entertainment industry to model real solutions to the plastic pollution crisis, both on set and in storylines.

We were joined by Hollywood activists and artists Yareli Arizmendi, Fran Drescher, and Kyra Sedgwick, following a presentation of the Original report from Dana Weinstein, Project Specialist for the Media Impact Project at the Norman Lear Center, University of Southern California.

We know that life imitates art, and by showing package-free and reusable and refillable systems in popular television shows and movies, we can influence culture and change the perception of toxic throwaway plastic as being normal—because it’s not.

2021

The Story of Plastic: A Conversation with Filmmaker & Frontline Activists

Go behind the scenes with Nikhilesh Paliath and Priscilla Villa Watt, two of the heroes featured in the Emmy-winning documentary film The Story of Plastic together in conversation, moderated by Stiv Wilson, co-producer and visionary behind the film.

During the webinar, they discussed the current state of the plastic pollution crisis two years after the documentary’s debut, focusing on the environmental and social justice elements of the film and the nexus of plastic pollution and human rights. They also talked about the breakneck pace at which the petrochemical buildout is harming communities around the world as single-use plastic products spread into new global markets.

Stiv Wilson is co-founder of Peak Plastic Foundation. He was joined by Nikhilesh Paliath, Founding Member & Senior Mentor, Green Army International; and Priscilla Villa Watt, Racial Justice Organizer for Policy and Research, Voices for Racial Justice.

The Cost of Convenience: Quest for Solutions to the Plastic Pollution Crisis

During the October webinar, we focused on the connection between the plastic pollution crisis and environmental injustice around the world, where economically disadvantaged nations take in a larger share of the world’s trash, and manufacturing chemicals threaten predominantly Black and low-income communities.

We were joined by journalist Erica Cirino, author of a new book, Thicker Than Water: The Quest for Solutions to the Plastic Crisis; Dr. Kerim Odekon, Environmental Justice Advocate & Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Stony Brook University, New York, USA; and Dr. Sedat Gündoğdu, Associate Professor, Microplastic Research Group, Faculty of Fisheries, University of Cukurova, Turkey.

Plastics & Climate: How Single-Use Packaging is Fueling the Crisis

Over 99% of plastic is made from fossil fuels, and greenhouse gases are emitted at every stage of the plastics life cycle. Yet, even as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that “climate change is widespread, rapid, and intensifying,” big brands like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé (including BlueTriton, formerly Nestlé Waters North America) are increasing their production of single-use plastics and packaging—driving a petrochemical expansion that threatens the global climate as well as communities and ecosystems around the world.

The September 2021 webinar featured Judith Enck, President of Beyond Plastics and former Regional Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under President Obama, who discussed the nexus between plastic production and climate change, including the immense environmental justice impacts, and Graham Forbes, Global Project Leader of the Plastic-Free Future campaign at Greenpeace, who discussed Greenpeace USA’s new report, The Climate Emergency Unpacked: How Consumer Goods Companies are Fueling Big Oil’s Plastic Expansion. The panel was moderated by Jen Fela, Director of Communications at Plastic Pollution Coalition.

Plastic Free Outdoors: Honoring Nature, Preventing Plastic Pollution

How can we stop plastic from polluting our most beautiful natural places? From trails to beaches, parks to playgrounds, and even protected areas—plastic is impacting the world’s most revered landscapes. During the August 25 webinar, we discussed efforts to truly honor nature by keeping plastic pollution out of it, including the campaign to urge U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to eliminate the sale and use of single-use plastics in U.S. national parks.

PANELISTS

MODERATOR

  • Heather White, Founder & CEO, OneGreenThing and Executive Advisory Board Member, Plastic Pollution Coalition

Plastic Free Periods: Protecting Our Bodies & Preventing Plastic Pollution

The topic of menstruation is still considered taboo to discuss in many cultures, despite the fact that half of the people on our planet menstruate approximately every 28 days. During our July 28 webinar, Plastic Free Periods: Protecting Our Bodies & Preventing Plastic Pollution, we discussed the connections between plastic pollution, menstruation, and social change. Together, we learned from activists, experts and leaders about period justice and how to protect your body from toxic chemicals in products, while exploring the movements happening now around menstrual practices toward a more just, equitable world. This webinar was sponsored by Plastic Pollution Coalition member Natracare and in partnership with Coalition member Menstrual Cup Coalition.

PANELISTS

MODERATOR

SPECIAL THANKS
Thanks to Coalition member Natracare for sponsoring the webinar!

Natracare pioneered the plastic-free, organic, and natural period product movement in the late 1980s. Their period products are made from renewable, biodegradable, and compostable materials. Unlike conventional brands, Natracare’s products won’t be polluting the earth for the next 500 years.

Poisoned Planet: Injustice of Disposable Culture & Hope for the Future

In the June 23 webinar, we discussed the injustice of disposable culture and how to move beyond plastic with Sasha Adkins, Lecturer at Loyola University Chicago and Author of From Disposable Culture to Disposable People: The Unintended Consequences of Plastics, Brittany Davis, Human-Environment Geographer and Independent Researcher, and Frankie Orona, Executive Director of Society of Native Nations.The webinar was moderated by Jackie Nuñez, Plastic Pollution Coalition’s Advocacy Program Manager, and Founder of The Last Plastic Straw.

The conversation centered around plastics, eco-facism, and the consequences of disposable culture on our relationships to ourselves, to each other, and to the planet—as well as how to find hope for our future.

Unwoven: Phasing Plastic Out Of Fashion

In partnership with Fashion Revolution, during the April 14 webinar, we had an expansive conversation about the connection between plastic and fashion: from the way microplastics in clothing are polluting our air and water to the processing of synthetic materials and their toxic effects on garment workers as well as unintentional greenwashing in the industry. Armed with this knowledge, brands can do better business and stay true to their values while taking real action towards social and environmental justice.

Fashion Revolution Week (April 19-25, 2021) is designed for the global community to create a better fashion industry, and in 2021 will focus on the interconnectedness of human rights and the rights of nature. Their campaign will amplify unheard voices across the fashion supply chain and harness the creativity of the community to explore innovative and interconnected solutions.

PANELISTS

MODERATOR

  • Andrea Arria-Devoe, Executive Producer, STRAWS film & Contributing Editor, goop

Break Down: Explaining the U.S. Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021

During the March 31 webinar, Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Representative Alan Lowenthal of California, Co-Sponsors of the historic Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act (BFFPPA) of 2021, discussed the proposed legislation, with Moderator Judith Enck, former Obama Administration EPA Regional Administrator and Founder of Beyond Plastics. The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act builds on statewide laws across the United States and outlines plastic reduction strategies to improve the health of people and our planet.

Will Humanity Survive Plastic Pollution?
Toxic Impact of Plastics’ Chemicals on Fertility

Plastic Pollution Coalition’s February webinar focused on how plastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals are contributing to decreasing sperm counts and other negative effects on human sexuality and fertility in both women and men.

The webinar was moderated by Dianna Cohen, Co-Founder & CEO of Plastic Pollution Coalition, and panelists included: Shanna Swan, PhD, leading environmental and reproductive epidemiologist, and author of Count Down: How Our Modern World is Threatening Sperm Counts, Altering Male and Female Reproductive Development, and Imperiling the Future of the Human Race, and Pete Myers, PhD, Founder and Chief Scientist of Environmental Health Sciences. The webinar took place on February 24, 2021.

Global Human Health & Ocean Pollution

During the January webinar, Dr. Phil Landrigan, leading epidemiologist and pediatrician, and Director of the Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good at Boston College, and Julia Cohen, who holds a Masters of Public Health in Maternal & Child Health, and is Plastic Pollution Coalition’s Co-Founder & Managing Director, discussed the latest findings from Dr. Landrigan’s new report Human Health and Ocean Pollution as well as how each of us can reduce exposure to plastic pollution and its toxic impacts. The webinar took place on January 27, 2021.

2020

Deep Ocean to Outer Space: Plastic Pollution Solutions

Are you concerned about the amount of plastic inside us, in our oceans, and in outer space? During our December 4th webinar, we discussed the impacts of and potential solutions to plastic pollution in the ocean, as well as in outer space. This special event is in partnership with the Conrad Foundation and the Conrad Challenge, which empowers students to change the world. The webinar was moderated by Dianna Cohen, Co-Founder & CEO at Plastic Pollution Coalition, with these esteemed panelists: Dr. Sylvia Earle, President & Chairman of Mission Blue and National Geographic Society Explorer in Residence, and Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, Chair of Aerospace History at the Smithsonian Institution.

Campaigning Against Corporate Plastic Polluters: How You Can Get Involved

During our November 18 webinar, we discussed the most effective campaigns to stop corporations from polluting the planet with single-use plastic. From global cleanups and brand audits hosted by Break Free From Plastic to campaigns scoring companies for their use of toxic PVC plastic and phthalates, there are projects happening near you, where you can add your voice. The webinar was moderated by Emily DiFrisco, Director of Communications at Plastic Pollution Coalition, and panelists included: Shilpi Chhotray, Global Communications Lead, Break Free From Plastic; Mike Schade, Mind the Store Campaign, Director Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families and Judith Enck, President, Beyond Plastics.

Unseen: Microplastics Research & Solutions

During our October 27 webinar, we discussed what the newest research is revealing about the pervasiveness and dangers of microplastics, and highlighted ways to reduce your exposure to microplastics as well as how to support legislation and policy change to make an impact. The webinar was moderated by Abby Barrows, Marine Scientist, and panelists included: Prigi Arisandi, Executive Director, Ecoton; Dr. Charles Rolsky, Postdoctoral student, Biodesign Institute, ASU & Plastic Oceans International, Director of Science, North America; and Thara Bening Sandrina, Captain, River Warrior.

Plastic Free Planet: Youth Mobilize for Change

During our September webinar, we discussed how youth activists and the youth movement are mobilizing for positive change for the planet on a policy level. Panelists talked about what they and their organizations are doing to change climate policy and ways youth activism is affecting local, state and federal governments to stop plastic pollution. The webinar was moderated by Hannah Testa, Founder of Hannah4Change, and panelists included: Dan Xie, Political Director, Student PIRGs; Xiye Bastida, Founder, Re-Earth Initiative and Abbigail Ramnarine, Activist, Bahamas Plastic Movement. The webinar took place on Wednesday, September 23, 2020.

Plastic Pandemic: Strategies & Solutions In Times of COVID-19

During our August webinar, we discussed ways to reduce plastic pollution during and after the pandemic. Panelists talked about how to prevent plastic pollution in your daily life, and advocate for local governments and businesses to help reduce plastic pollution during this unprecedented time. The webinar was moderated by Jackie Nuñez, Founder of The Last Plastic Straw and & Advocacy Program Manager, and panelists included: Eve Fox, Digital Director, Beyond Plastics; Cassia Patel, Program Director, Oceanic Global; and Lindsey Hoell, Co-Founder & CEO, Dispatch Goods. This webinar took place on Thursday, August 27, 2020 from 5-6 p.m. ET.

Plastics, Health, and Your Family

During this webinar, we explored the effects of toxic chemicals and plastics on human health, and provided practical tips and tools for how to avoid plastic and make healthier choices. The presenters included: Latham Thomas, Maternity Wellness Expert, Founder, Mama Glow & Author of Own Your Glow: A Soulful Guide to Luminous Living and Crowning the Queen, and Amy Ziff, Founder and Executive Director, MADE SAFE. The webinar was moderated by Julia Cohen, MPH Co-Founder & Managing Director, Plastic Pollution Coalition, and took place on Wednesday, July 29, 2020.

Getting Ready for Plastic Free July

Plastic Pollution Coalition hosted a webinar on June 25 to discuss the Plastic Free July movement and alternatives and solutions to single-use plastic in a conversation with Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, Founder & Executive Director of Plastic Free July, and Dianna Cohen, Co-Founder & CEO of Plastic Pollution Coalition. Speakers talked about the creation, evolution, and expansion of Plastic Free July and how we can collaborate for impact locally and globally to address and solve plastic pollution. Guest presenters included Shilpi Chhotray, Global Communications Lead, Break Free From Plastic and Young Grguras, U.S. Coordinator of Plastic Free Campuses of PLAN (The Post-Landfill Action Network). Plus, watch the video now of Tia Grazette, Founder of Le Good Society.

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