This became the inaugural meeting of Plastic Pollution Coalition – a global alliance of individuals, organizations and businesses working together to end plastic pollution. At this inaugural meeting, Plastic Pollution Coalition committed to the measurable reduction of plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on people, animals and the environment around the globe.  The coalition does not replace the work of any one of its members, but rather amplifies and expands on that work, by connecting local efforts to the global, and by igniting initiatives where there are none.

Reducing plastic pollution worldwide requires collaboration on a global scale between individuals, organizations, businesses and policy-makers. In the year that followed its inaugural meeting, Plastic Pollution Coalition set out to build the foundation for this collaboration.

I am proud to report that in 2010 we have achieved significant progress on all strategic objectives we set for the organization:

1. Build a foundation for global collaboration. The coalition has grown to over 100 organizational members and over 40 celebrity supporters from around the world, and continues to grow fast. New Coalition Manager Julia Cohen brings experience and leadership to this effort.
2. Ignite a global movement and elevate the discussion about plastic pollution and its impacts on the environment, health and social justice. Our social network is now over 80,000 people strong and growing fast.
3. Provide global news on plastic pollution. Plastic Free Times, a web-based portal for information and citizen participation on plastic pollution, launches in January of 2011. Managing Editor Amy Westervelt will lead this effort with experience and vision.
4. Connect local efforts to the global movement by delivering a global repository for legal resources, model ordinances and data on various plastic pollution efforts around the globe (launching in January of 2011).
5. Produce the first World Conference on Plastic Pollution to connect all facets of plastic pollution: public health, eco-system degradation, environmental justice and economic issues. TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch was a real catalyst in the public understanding of plastic pollution, with over 11,000 unique views from over 120 countries. All talks can be viewed online.

In 2011 Plastic Pollution Coalition will continue to measurably reduce plastic pollution by creating global connections, and elevating the topic of plastic pollution to the forefront of social, political and environmental dialog worldwide. Our top organizational priorities are the Four Challenges to Humanity, delivered at TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch.

If you would like to support this effort with a financial contribution or a limited edition art purchase, please visit our Donate page, or email art@plasticpollutioncoalition.org.

Thank you for your support, and thanks to all coalition partners for your committed effort toward a world free of plastic pollution!

Sincerely,

Daniella Russo

Executive Director

“Lets all REFUSE disposable plastic”, “We have only one planet, we must come together to keep it healthy!”, “It is time to understand the true cost of our disposable lifestyles” – are just some of the messages people wrote to us. The coalition members report similar impacts from the conference.

Read the press release just out.

The four challenges, delivered at the conclusion of the conference, are listed below. In the days to come, all talks will be made available on the event web site.

To Individuals and Businesses – REFUSE disposable plastics

These objects, created to be used for only a few moments, stay with us forever at a tremendous cost to the planet and the environment.
We challenge all individuals and businesses to end their dependence on disposable plastic. Today.

(Watch Erica Williams deliver the challenge from the floor of TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch)

To manufacturers of plastic products, plastic packaging and virgin resin product

• We challenge you to accept a voluntary cap on non-biodegradable product, and to begin investing resources  into developing a new generation plastic product – plant-based, non-toxic in any stage of its existence, biodegradable.

• We challenge you to own the responsibility of your product till the very end. The packaging you choose to for your products is your responsibility, not the buyer’s.

• We challenge you to rethink design of products – to reduce both carbon footprint and plastic footprint of your goods shipped around the world.

(Watch Wallace “J” Nichols deliver the challenge from the floor of TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch)

To Policy-Makers around the globe

We challenge you to adopt and support policies that support individuals and businesses in their efforts to eliminate disposable plastics. Adopt policies that create economic incentives for businesses who reduce their plastic footprint.

(Watch Leslie Tamminen deliver the challenge from the floor of TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch)

To All Nations Threatened by Plastic Pollution

We challenge you to come together and form a union against the onslaught of plastic to your environment, economic wellbeing and public health.
(Watch H.E.Stuart Beck deliver the challenge from the floor of TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch)

Thanks to the millions spent by lobbyists for the American Chemistry Council, Dow, and Exxon to defeat these bills, now every Californian knows just what the acronym BPA means; why BPA should never be allowed in baby products;  and exactly how much cash-strapped California spends on collection and removal of plastic bags (at least $25 million, and possibly much more), lavishly handed away at the checkout lines.

With our state in such dire financial straits that teachers are being furloughed and libraries are being closed, we are grateful to the chemical company lobbyists for helping us bring this needless waste of money to the forefront of public discourse.

Thanks to the expensive and contentious debate around these two bills, every Californian is wondering why plenty of other developed nations, like France and Canada have managed to ban BPA from baby products in their countries. Why can’t it be done here? Do we care less about our babies? Every Californian is chagrined to see that “developing nations” like India, Mexico, China and so many others have already banned plastic bags. Why can’t Americans do the same?

True, the bans on plastic bags and BPA in baby products in California were not enacted, in spite of overwhelming public, green business, labor and grocery store support. But something more powerful has been put into motion—the unstoppable energy of a mass movement.

Nothing can stop communities from raising their voices against plastic pollution. Banning plastic bags is something every community can do, just like many local jurisdictions have already started banning polystyrene containers.

And BPA? We simply have to continue to push on this. Our children deserve our protection. Mothers and fathers, let’s all speak up and demand safe BPA-free children’s products.

We, the founders of Plastic Pollution Coalition will continue to support all efforts to reduce plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on our environment. We are more motivated than ever; the time is now.

Daniella Dimitrova Russo, Dianna Cohen, Lisa Kaas Boyle, Manuel Maqueda

and Plastic Pollution Coalition Notable Supporters:
Rosanna Arquette
Rachelle Carson
Luis Conte, and family
Maria G. Conte, Carina Conte, Luis C. Conte
Chris Jordan
Kate Connor
Jackson Browne
Kelly Slater
Joanna Moore
Captain Charles Moore
Amy Smart
The Ditty Bops
Wavy Gravy

TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch is a forum where issue experts, youth leaders, visual and performing artists, actors, musicians, politicians and many others will share observations on how plastic pollution affects ocean/environmental health and public health; explore solutions for reducing our plastic footprint, and begin to develop ideas about eliminating plastic pollution through individual action as well as public- and private-sector innovation.

In a commitment to keep a low carbon footprint, and to encourage and empower global engagement and action, this important event will be streamed live to locations around the world.  Please contact us if you are interested in organizing a viewing party. Locations will be listed on the website as they are added. A live webcast of the event will be available on the day of the event through the website.

Due to space limitation, attendance is by invitation only.

A limited number of TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch individual and corporate sponsorships are available. Please contact us at info@PlasticPollutionCoalition.org.

Join us at TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch on Facebook or follow via Twitter at www.twitter.com/TEDxGP2.

About TEDx

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x=independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self organized.

*This independent TEDx event is operated under license from TED.

In June, Bonnie Raitt, as part of the Green Music Challenge initiative challenged her fans to stop using plastic bottles for two weeks and invest in a BPA-free, stainless steel bottle. “Each of us can make a difference in preventing plastic pollution by refusing single-use plastics, such as plastic water bottles, and make sustainable choices when we shop”, Bonnie said.  If you liked the silver, red or black bottles from the video, you can order them here.

Jack Johnson wrote an inspiring little song, encouraging us stop being “such fancypants” and drop the plastic water bottle habit. Alongside Jack’s  video are short shout-outs for AB 1998 from our notable supporters JJ Abrams,  Fran Drescher,  The Ditty Bops, and Louie Pshihoyos, the director of “The Cove.”

Musician Ben Harper also raised his voice against single use and disposable plastic, and in support of Plastic Pollution Coalition. If you haven’t already been to his site, check it out.

And many more have spoken out and given us quotes, currently rotating on this web site.

Music, art, and performance inspires us, energizes and gives our life meaning in ways that are sometimes too mysterious to define. Art feeds our souls. And that’s why these artists are such particularly potent messengers for the truth about our world.

Dr. Colborn joins a distinguished group of scientists:

• Arlene Blum, Ph.D., biophysical chemist and mountaineer, author of Breaking Trail, A Climbing Life and Annapurna, A Woman’s Place. Dr. Blum is an outspoken critic of flame retardants in plastics, and their impact on public health. She is also a Himalayan climber, keynote and motivational speaker
• Sylvia Earle, Ph.D., oceanographer, explorer, author, and lecturer. She was chief scientist for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from 1990-1992. She is a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, called “Her Deepness” by the New Yorker and the New York Times, “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress, and the first “Hero for the Planet.”
• Marcus Eriksen, Ph.D., explorer and plastic pollution education specialist, an outspoken ocean advocate and founder of 5Gyres project.
• Wallace J Nichols, Chairman, Ph.D., marine biologist, California Academy of Sciences.  Dr. Nichols is a Research Associate at the California Academy of Sciences and a Regional Vice Chair of the IUCN Marine Turtle Specialist Group.
  
• Hideshige Takada, Ph.D, Professor, Organic geochemistry, Tokyo University. Dr. Takada started International Pellet Watch and is tracing the course of  plastic pellets across the world via global pollution maps.
• Tierney Thys, Ph.D., Marine Biologist, filmmaker, educator, National Geographic Emerging Explorer, and world expert on mola-mola.
• Jeremy Jackson, Ph.D., Professor of Oceanography at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Dr. Jackson is the author of more than 100 scientific publications and books, and his current research includes the long-term impacts of human activities on the oceans.

AB 1998 has two more hurdles to clear before it reaches the Governor’s desk.  First the Act must pass through the California Senate Appropriations Committee by August 14th, and then it must pass a vote on the Senate floor by the end of August. Governor Schwarzenegger has indicated his intention to sign AB 1998 if it reaches his desk.

Plastic Pollution Coalition will continue to gather support for AB 1998. See our YouTube collection of videos in support of the ban.  Never before has such widespread support for the reduction of single-use plastic waste been demonstrated in California. See the full list of supporters and opposition below.

To voice your support for The Single-Use Bag Reduction Act, please visit  PPC Member Heal the Bay’s Action Alert and write a support letter.

Supporters:
Californians Against Waste
Heal the Bay
California Grocer’s Association
1 Bag at a Time Inc
AFSCME
Amerigreenbag.com
Association of Communities United of South Los Angeles
Ballona Creek Renaissance
Bay Area Council
California Association of Environmental Health Administrators
California Coastal Coalition
California Coastkeeper Alliance
California League of Conservation Voters
California State Lands Commission
Chico Bag
City of Burbank
City of Del Mar
City of Long Beach
City of Newport Beach
City of Pasadena
City of San Buenaventura
City of San Clemente
City of Solana Beach
City of Ventura
Clean South Bay
Clean Water Action California
Defenders of Wildlife
Downtown Encinitas MainStreet Association
Duro Bag Manufacturing Company
Earth Resource Foundation
Earthwise Bag Company
East Bay Municipal Utility District
Environment California
Envirosax
ForestEthics
Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Market Inc.
Friends of Five Creeks
Global Green USA
Green Sangha
Humboldt Coastkeepers
Humboldt County Board of Supervisors
Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County Solid Waste Management Committee/ Integrated Waste Management Task Force
Marin County Board of Supervisors
Monterey County Board of Supervisors
Monterey Regional Waste Management District
Natural Resources Defense Council
Neighborhood Market Association
Northcoast Environmental Center
OCEANA
Orange County Coastkeeper
Ormond Beach Observers
Planning and Conservation League
Plastic Pollution Coalition
PW Supermarkets Inc. (San Jose)
Rainforest Action Network
Rite Aid
San Diego Coastkeeper
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority
Santa Barbara Channelkeeper
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission
Santa Monica Baykeeper
Save Mart Supermarkets
Seventh Generation Advisors
Sierra Club of California
Solid Waste Solutions Inc
StopWaste.org – Alameda County Waste Management Authority
Steven Bochco Productions
Super A Food Inc. (Commerce)
Surfers’ Environmental Alliance
Surfrider Foundation
State Lands Commission
Urban Semillas
Washington Elementary PTA
Western States Council of the United Food & Commercial Workers
WiLDCOAST
Wild Heritage Planners
WinCo Foods Inc.
Wisdom Academy for Young Scientists
Youth Opportunities for High School and Associations of Communities United of South Los Angeles

Opposition:
American Chemistry Council
American Forest & Paper Association
Biodegradable Products Institute
Bradley Packaging Systems
California Film Extruders & Converters Association
California Forestry Association
Californians for Extended Producer Responsibility
Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Command Packaging
Corona Chamber of Commerce
Crown Poly Inc
Great American Packaging
Heritage Bag
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Metabolix
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce

RE:  AB 1998 (Brownley) Single-Use Bag Reduction Act:

Dear Senator Simitian:

We write to express our support of the Single-Use Bag Reduction Act (Assembly Bill 1998) as amended. AB 1998 is scheduled to be heard before the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.  AB 1998 would ban plastic single-use carryout bags and require and require recycled paper carryout bags be sold at supermarkets, retail pharmacies, and convenience stores throughout the state.

As founders of Plastic Pollution Coalition, we are concerned with the environmental and economic impacts of plastic bag pollution in inland and coastal communities throughout the state.  Californians use an estimated 19 billion single-use plastic bags every year.  The state spends an estimated $25 million annually to clean up and landfill these littered bags, which does not include the hundreds of millions of dollars that local governments continually spend to clean littered streets and waterways.

We can no longer recycle our way out of this problem.  Despite efforts to expand recycling programs, less than 5% of single-use plastic bags are currently being recycled. The rest of these bags end up in our landfills or as litter, clogging stormdrain systems, and making their way to our waterways and ocean.  It is estimated that 60–80% of all marine debris, and 90% of floating debris is plastic. Plastic lasts for hundreds of years in our environment and may never biodegrade in the ocean.  As a result, it poses a persistent threat to wildlife.  Over 267 species worldwide have been impacted by plastic litter, including plastic bags.

Paper bags are not a viable alternative to plastic bags.  Paper bag production contributes to deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and waterborne wastes from the pulping and paper making process.  Even compostable plastic bags made of plant-based sources have not proven to degrade in the ocean. Instead, they require industrial composting facilities, and only a small number of cities currently support the infrastructure to collect and dispose of compostable bags properly.

San Francisco, Malibu, Fairfax, and Palo Alto have banned plastic bags and at least 20 more cities in California are considering this approach.  Rather than taking a piecemeal city-by-city approach, AB 1998 will create one uniform policy for addressing all types of single-use bags to encourage consumers to use reusable bags, the most sustainable alternative.

California has a critical role to play in becoming a true leader in eliminating plastic bag waste and preventing the proliferation of plastic pollution in our communities.  The passage of AB 1998 will be a major step in breaking our addiction to single-use bags.

Sincerely,

Daniella Russo (Co-founder and Executive Director), Lisa Kaas Boyle (cofounder), Dianna Cohen (cofounder), Manuel Maqueda (cofounder)

• Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things, by Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie
• Flotsametrics and the Floating World: How One Man’s Obsession with Runaway Sneakers and Rubber Ducks Revolutionized Ocean Science by Curtis Ebbesmeyer and Eric Scigliano
• Garbage Land: On the Secret Trail of Trash by Elizabeth  Royte
• Bottlemania: How Water Went on Sale and Why We Bought It (Hardcover) by Elizabeth Royte
• No Impact Man: The Adventures of a Guilty Liberal Who Attempts to Save the Planet and the Discoveries He Makes About Himself and Our Way of Life in the Process by Colin Beavan
• The Story of Stuff: How our Obsession with Stuff is Trashing the Planet, Our Communities, and Our Health – And a Vision for Change, by Annie Leonard
• The World Without Us by Alan Weisman
• Sea Change: A Message of the Oceans by Sylvia A. Earle
• Transforming Cultures: Transforming Cultures from Consumerism to Sustainability by The Worldwatch Institute
• The Plastic Waste Primer: A Citizen’s Guide by Jeffrey P. Porro, League of Women Voters

For Tweens and Teens

• Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion (Scientists in the Field Series), by Loree Griffin Burns
• Green My Parents: Join the Youth Movement to Seed the Green Economy, by Tom Feegul, edited by Jordan Howard and Adora Svitak and hundreds of kids just like you!

And for the Very Young

• Abigale the Happy Whale, by Peter Farelley
• All the Way to the Ocean, by Joel Harper

Date and time: June 30, 7 pm.

Location: MULÉH, 1831 14th St, NW, Washington, DC 20009

Donation levels: Platinum $500; Gold $250; Silver $100; Bronze $50

Donations taken at the door or online.

RSVP by June 28, 2010 to rsvp@plasticpollutioncoalition.org or 202.997.8400.

Host committee:

ROSHANAK AMELI-TEHRANI & MICHAEL MATEER
JODY ARLINGTON
AMI ARONSON
NICOLE BOXER
LEE BRENNER
DIANNA COHEN & JACKSON BROWNE
JULIA COHEN & NEIL BARRETT
SACHA COHEN
KATE DAMON
NUNU DENG
KATHY FLETCHER
JULEANNA GLOVER
RHON HAYES
NOLA KAMBANDA
BRUCE KEILOCH
BRIAN KOMAR
NORA MACCOBY
CHRISTOPHER REITER
NICOLE RODGERS
ERDAL SARPER
MICHAEL SHANK
KIMBALL STROUD
VIJAY K SWAMY
MELISSA TORRES
BRIAN WOLFF