Despite decades of deceptive industry marketing, we know we can’t recycle our way out of the plastic pollution crisis. But the companies making and selling plastic—and their trade association surrogate the American Chemistry Council—aren’t giving up. Instead, they’re doubling down to mislead investors, governments, and the public into believing we can.

Lead Organization: Greenpeace

Author: Ivy Schlegel

Published on: September 2020

This briefing explains that companies – particularly those that are intensive plastic users or producers – are under a legal obligation to manage and disclose material business risks posed by plastic pollution. We start by explaining the known effects of plastic pollution on wildlife and ecosystems, on human health, and plastic pollution’s economic impact.

Lead Organization: ClientEarth

Author: ClientEarth

Published on: July 2018

The report documents how long-term systemic declines in the oil and gas industry had been accumulating long before the coronavirus pandemic emerged. Compounded by the impacts of the pandemic and related economic crisis, the industry’s collapse has accelerated, with leading companies losing an average of 45% of their value since the start of 2020.

Lead Organization: Center for International Environmental Law

Author: Center for International Environmental Law

Published on: April 2020

This report analyzes the correlation between advertising to children, the commercialization of toys in Brazil and its effects on the consumption and disposal of plastic, as well as on children’s health. It stresses the fact that 90% of toys worldwide are made of plastic materials, it has a low recyclability, it is potentially toxic to children and shows how advertising to kids contributes to these externalities.

Lead Organization: Green Chemistry, Sustainability and Education Research Group (GPQV) from the University of São Carlos commissioned by Instituto Alana

Author: Prof. Dr. Vânia Gomes Zuin, Evelyn Araripe, Stefania Fachina (translated by Jane Godwin Coury)

Published on: June 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped how people think about health and safety. In response, people around the world have stocked up on soaps, sanitizers, and disinfectant sprays, distanced themselves from friends and family, and limited trips to stores and restaurants. And in response to worker and customer concerns and an onslaught of plastic industry propaganda, plastic bans have been paused and reusables have been restricted in many locations. As retail establishments and restaurants reopen, and as COVID-19 cases continue to rise, it is imperative that reuse and refill systems are implemented that both protect our environment and alleviate any worker and customer concerns.

Lead Organization: Greenpeace

Author: David Pinsky

Published on: August 2020

La pandemia de la Covid-19 está disparando el uso de materiales desechables, buena parte de ellos, innecesarios. Greenpeace USA recopila en este informe una nueva ola de sistemas innovadores de reutilización y recarga, para frenar la avalancha plástica que está contaminando el medioambiente y llegando incluso hasta nuestro propio organismo.

Lead Organization: Greenpeace

Author: David Pinsky

Published on: August 2020