Plastic: An Environmental Health Disaster
At every stage in the lifecycle — when plastics are made, used, and disposed of — they cause substantial harm to the climate, air, ecosystems, and human health.Plastics are a fossil-fuel based product, with chemical additives such as bisphenols, formaldehyde, and PFAS. These chemicals then leach into our bodies through plastic foodware, or our water and oceans through washing or litter. The impacts of our unsustainable plastic consumption are widespread and staggering.
These are complex problems that require many solutions. But with plastic packaging production expected to quadruple by 2050, we cannot wait.
We must act NOW to prevent further harm.
This info-sheet outlines some of plastic’s most serious impacts:
View and download the full info-sheet with citations here
OEC is taking action at the state level!
- We are supporting legislation and efforts to phase out plastic foodware.
- We are supporting legislation and efforts to phase out polystyrene and PFAS in foodware.
- We are supporting legislation and efforts to address microplastics from our washing machines.
- We are supporting legislation and efforts to address pollution and microplastics pollution from incineration.
- We engage with agencies and localities to increase recycling and re-use efforts, such as the bottle bill and modernization programs.
Make sure you’re signed up to receive OEC’s Grassroots Action Information Network (GAIN) action alerts. We’ll share updates and ways for you to take action.