PFI Legislative Outreach

Changes needed are major but also practical and affordable, report says, and would bring trillions of dollars in benefits

Texas to New Jersey: Tracking the Toxic Chemicals in the Ohio Train Inferno – Tankers of vinyl chloride were going halfway across the country, government records show, a trip highlighting the risks of transporting chemicals as plastics production grows.

The standards would force states to begin the arduous process of cleaning out ‘forever chemicals’ from their water supplies.

More than 170 trillion plastic particles weighing roughly 2 million metric tons are afloat in the world’s oceans, according to new research.

Trying to solve the world’s ocean plastic pollution problem has been a “long and painful journey” for Dutch entrepreneur Boyan Slat. The 28-year-old founder of non-profit environmental organisation The Ocean Cleanup has been working on ways to filter plastic waste out of the Pacific Ocean for nearly 10 years.

The subtle texture of the Amazon establishes a pure, live, strong and organic chocolate that, through the combination with memories, supports the commandments that Therese embraces.Family, honesty, connection, and longing are represented through minimalism, the freedom of the line, and the complexity of the simple

We are aware of what plastics are doing to our environment and sea life. We are happy to be joining the Plastics Free Initiative, and look forward to learning more about how we can reduce our use of plastics, and improve our communities and environment.

• What is the Green Campus Initiative? o Green Campus Initiative (GCI) is an Honors College organization dedicated to making Florida International University (FIU), and the greater state of Florida, more sustainable. Currently, GCI has been focused on the regulation of single-use plastics as they believe the time is now. At the university level, GCI works closely with faculty to implement sustainable initiatives related to reducing plastic waste. To accomplish their local and state-level goals, GCI works to expand their off-campus collaborations. o More and more countries, states, and cities have been implementing legislation regulating sin

North Atlantic right whales are dying faster than they can reproduce.

A ban on single-use plastic and paper bags in grocery stores had an unintended effect: Delivery services switched to heavy, reusable sacks — lots of them.

Starting May 4, 2022, New Jersey retail stores, grocery stores and food service businesses may not provide or sell single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam food service products. Single-use paper carryout bags are allowed to be provided or sold, except by grocery stores equal to or larger than 2500 square feet, which may only provide or sell reusable carryout bags. After November 4, 2021, plastic straws may be provided only upon the request of the customer.

Jerusalem artist collected plastic litter from beaches and parks in several countries, fashioning it into an installation for the World Trade Center.

Artist Tal Tenne Czaczkes made the sculpture for the Tel Aviv-Yafo municipality, which voted to outlaw single-use plastic on bathing beaches.

Jason Momoa made a very special trip this week from Los Angeles to Hawaii on Hawaiian Airlines to celebrate the airline’s partnership with his water company Mananalu.

On Saturday, July 9th, PFI and WCCG members joined the Department of Solid Waste for an electronic recycling day. The PFI and WCCG members manned a table containing many products which are alternatives to single-use plastics.

Small actions such as replacing your plastic toothbrush and lunchbox with reusable versions can make a big difference to the environment.

Plastic Free July is a global movement that empowers us to be part of the solution to plastic pollution. The concept is simple: Participants are challenged to take account of their current plastic use and reduce their reliance on single-use plastics.

The landmark legislation also restricts single-use plastics. Because California’s economy is sobig, experts say, the law could have far-reaching effects.

Please bring out all your electronics you do not need anymore for recycling.

A second person has been arrested after a video shared on Instagram showed people popping dozens of balloons and letting pieces fall in the bay at a Coconut Grove marina. Read Full Article Here »

“We’re trying to gather as much information as we possibly can,” said Blair Mase, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s southeast regional marine mammal stranding coordinator. “We’re really hoping it doesn’t become a trend.”   Was the cause plastic we dont know!

May 28th (Saturday) 11:00am to 12:30pm Charlotte J Burrie Civic Center 2669 N Federal Highway Pompano Beach, Florida 33064

Did you know the ♻ symbol doesnʼt mean something is actually recyclable? Play our trashy garbage-sorting game. Then, read on about how we got here, and what can be done.

Earth Day was founded in 1970 as a day of education about environmental issues, and Earth Day 2021 will occur on Thursday, April 22—the holiday’s 51st anniversary. The holiday is now a global celebration that’s sometimes extended into Earth Week, a full seven days of events focused on green living.

A new report from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection sounds alarm bells: 93% of Floridians surveyed, including residents, local leaders and business owners, believe regulation of single-use plastics is needed.

The ocean is an enormous and powerful body of water. It’s hard to imagine that putting something small in it, like a plastic bottle or a drop of oil, could make any difference in its well-being or hurt the plants and animals that call it home.

A new report from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection sounds alarm bells: 93% of Floridians surveyed, including residents, local leaders and business owners, believe regulation of single-use plastics is needed.

The GFWC of Florida has resolved to create a collaborative partnership with the Plastics-Free Initiative as part of their broader call-to-action involving the elimination of ‘Single Use Plastics’.

The ocean conservation nonprofit Oceana has a new partnership opportunity: The National Business Coalition for the Oceans.

The University of Florida (UF) is conducting a survey on behalf of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) (per a request from the State Legislature) to learn more about the use of plastic bags, auxiliary materials and wrappings.

For six years they have been documenting this growing crisis on the bay’s spoil islands, a frequent haunt for boaters and jet skiers and a magnet for garbage.

It’s been almost a year since the massive fish kill in Biscayne Bay that left thousands of animals gasping for air and algae blooms floating across the water. Distilling down all that we have learned in the past year, we are proud to present a full report on last summer’s fish kill, as well as a community response plan for similar disasters in the future.

Twenty companies are responsible for producing more than half of all the single-use plastic waste in the world, fuelling the climate crisis and creating an environmental catastrophe, new research reveals.

The ocean is an enormous and powerful body of water. It’s hard to imagine that putting something small in it, like a plastic bottle or a drop of oil, could make any difference in its well-being or hurt the plants and animals that call it home.

Recycled crafts for kids can be a valuable tool of entertainment and distraction after a long school day.

EARLY EDUCATION AND CREATIVE PLAY Thousands of great ideas for early childhood education activities!

If you have been throwing those empty juice, water and soft drink bottles into the bin then STOP right there because today I’m sharing 16 easy ways to recycle plastic bottles for play!

The petrochemical industry and the pollution it creates disproportionately harms people of color and low-income communities. Every year, the United States alone burns or buries in landfill 32 million tons of plastic, impacting the health, wealth, and well-being of frontline and fenceline communities. In fact, the U.S. produces the most plastic waste per capita of any country, and exports much of this waste to the Global South. An astounding 91% of plastic is never recycled.

How To: This scavenger hunt requires children to find recyclable items. Make a list of all the recyclable items that the players have to find. You can even assign a time limit for the task. 30 minutes would be more than enough.

Help your students take recycling to a whole new level in your classroom with these inspirational ideas and projects. Recycling in your classroom can easily be made a daily activity.

Help keep millions of single-use plastic bags out of our environment by demanding that Publix eliminate their use of single-use plastic bags at checkout.

Climate change is altering our ocean and the essential services it provides us—such as a livable climate, fish to eat and important industries like shipping and tourism. But the ocean isn’t only a victim of climate change, it’s also a powerful source of solutions. It can help slow climate change by providing offshore renewable energy and natural carbon storage in critical coastal ecosystems like wetlands and mangrove swamps.

Oceans cover 71 percent of the planet and are home to important species and ecosystems that we rely on for food, livelihoods, climate regulation and more. But the oceans need our help. Saving the oceans can sometimes feel like an overwhelming task, but if we all pitch in, we can make a big difference.

The federal Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act (BFFPPA) was reintroduced (S. 984) by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA). The Surfrider Foundation has been involved with BFFPPA since its inception and we have been working closely on this reintroduction. The priorities that Surfrider focused on for the reintroduced bill included pushing for incentivizing reuse / refill models, strengthening the definition of reusable bag, addressing toxics more broadly, and closing the loophole for plastic waste exports. We’re happy to report that each of these priorities were addressed in the reintroduced bill.

There are a number of reasons! There are a number of reasons! In residential areas with urban streets, stormwater is conveyed along paved roadways with curb and gutter and into the storm sewer system through inlets or catch basins.

When the subject of plastic pollution comes up in the United States, Europe, or other Western countries, many people’s first instinct is to dodge responsibility and pass the blame onto other nations.

In 2019, news outlets across the world reported on a beaked whale that died after ingesting more than 88 pounds of plastic.

Whether you are adding a room, renovating your house, or starting from scratch, construction can be an arduous and lengthy process. Not only can it turn your life upside down, but it also can generate a lot of waste.

Looking for ways to teach your kids about recycling? Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Let’s raid your recycling bins for supplies and then try one of these eco-savvy crafts that is sure to excite kids of all ages.

A coalition of more than 550 community and conservation organizations, including many members in the #breakfreefromplastic movement, as well as sustainable businesses today released its Presidential Plastics Action Plan…

Oceana analyzed packaging market data for the nonalcoholic beverages industry, the market share of PET bottles, and plastic marine pollution data in 76 coastal countries around the world to estimate the total amount of PET plastic bottle marine pollution…

Join Miami Waterkeeper for our third annual State of the Water address. This free, virtual event will convene community leaders to provide a full and fact-based overview of the major issues facing our watershed and solutions for the coming year. 

As programs shutter and plastic use rises in the pandemic, a New York bill to get manufacturers to pick up the recycling tab could offer a solution.

The Plastics-Free Initiative Coalition is a co-sponsor of this important advocacy event “Rise above Plastics Advocacy Week.” We encourage you to take action on reducing single-use plastics, and sign up to participate in this virtual event #RiseAbovePlastics.

2020 brought unprecedented events, from a global pandemic to civil unrest due to racial injustices and systematic racism. Surfrider’s Plastic Pollution Initiative experienced a renewed sense of commitment and urgency in continuing to fight against plastic pollution. Plastic pollution is not only an environmental issue, but it’s also a social and racial justice issue, and now more than ever, we need to take concrete steps to address this crisis.

Oceana analyzed e-commerce packaging data and found that Amazon generated 465 million pounds of plastic packaging waste in 2019. This includes air pillows, bubble wrap, and other plastic packaging items added to the approximately 7 billion Amazon packages delivered in 2019. The report also found that Amazon’s estimated plastic packaging waste, in the form of air pillows alone, would circle the Earth more than 500 times.

A coalition of more than 550 community and conservation organizations, including many members in the #breakfreefromplastic​ movement, today released its Presidential Plastics Action Plan, urging President-elect Joe Biden to take eight key executive actions to solve the plastic pollution crisis and become a #PlasticFreePresident​.

In the aftermath of the violent mob that stormed the Capitol on January 6th, a single Congressman from New Jersey spontaneously conducted what we are calling the most important cleanup of the year, although it was far from any beach. Congressman Andy Kim from NJ’s 3rd Congressional District had just finished voting after Congress regrouped following the attempted insurrection. Walking the devastated Capitol Building afterwards, the Congressman did what so many Surfrider Foundation volunteers do all the time; he grabbed a trash bag and started cleaning up. Congressman Kim received recognition for this on CNN and participated in numerous interviews on the subject. He humbly claimed it was an ordinary act but that “his heart was broken” to see the building that is such an iconic symbol of our democracy so trashed and so disrespected. Read the full story here: Surfrider.org

The first club project designated as a “President’s Pick” for its individual merit, plus its adaptability for use by other clubs, has been announced! Congratulations to the Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove for building a community network of like-minded individuals and organizations for an effective campaign.

Affectionately known as “sea cows,” manatees are a treasured sight along Florida’s coastline. These slow-moving, gentle giants can weigh up to 1,200 pounds, subsisting solely on a vegetarian spread of seagrass and algae. But their diets too often include something that doesn’t belong – plastic.

Oceana reviewed nearly 1,800 documented cases of plastic consumption and entanglement among marine animals in U.S. waters from 2009 to early 2020 and discovered that manatees, along with turtles, were disproportionately represented…