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Working to reduce plastic use in Missouri
"The Great Rivers State"
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We can break free from plastic, Missouri!
This month’s plastic newsletter is PACKED. Inside you’ll find 2026 engagement and learning opportunities, ideas for plastic-reduction goals, hot-off-the-press plastics news, new reports and research, and webinars to keep you in the know in the New Year.
Here's your December Plastic Awareness news!
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January 19 - March 16: 2026 Plastic Learning Series
Join us for a series of FIVE plastic-specific presentations by excellent speakers from around the US! Each webinar will explore a different aspect of the plastic pollution problem. Whether you're just getting started in learning about plastic pollution or you're an active advocate, there will be something for everyone!
Register here!
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January 24: Community Advocacy Workshop - Jefferson City
Location: Runge Nature Center, 330 Commerce Dr, Jefferson City, MO 65109
Date: January 24, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Register here!
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January 26: Virtual Show-Me Less Plastic Advocates Meeting
Join us to network and connect with other plastic advocates in Missouri!
Date: January 26, 2026
Time: 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Register here!
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January 27: Plastic People Movie Screening - Jefferson City
Location: Capitol City Cinema, 126 E. High Street, Jefferson City MO 65109
Date: January 27, 2026
Time: Happy Hour 5:00 PM; Movie Screening to begin at 6:00 PM; Panel Discussion to follow!
Register here!
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Interested in forming a local group, adding more skills to your advocacy toolbox, or learning more about engaging in plastics advocacy? Register here for one of these free, two-hour long trainings!
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March 28: Community Advocacy Workshop - Northeast MO
Location: MW Boudreaux Memorial Visitor Center, 21629 Hwy J, Perry, MO 63462
Date: March 28, 2026
Time: 1:00 - 4:30 PM
See registration form for optional pre-workshop activities!
Register here!
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Input Opportunity: Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties
The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District is updating their Solid Waste Management Plan. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey and share your practices, perspectives, and thoughts! Your input matters and can help shape the future of solid waste management in your community. Take the survey here!
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New Resource Alert: Beyond Plastics' Ask a Scientist Tool
Do you ever wonder about various aspects of plastics and plastic pollution? Beyond Plastics science director, Trisha Vaidyanathan, PhD is here to shed some light on these questions in her monthly column, “Ask a Scientist.” Submit your question(s) here!
| | | 5 Plastic Reduction Goals for 2026 | |
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Eliminate at least one single-use plastic. Plastic bottles, utensils, or straws are common (and easy) places to start.
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Build one new plastic-reducing habit. This could be declining straws when ordering drinks or keeping reusable bags in your car—and actually using them.
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Swap at least one plastic item (or category) for a non-plastic alternative. The kitchen is a great place to begin—think cutting boards, food storage containers, or cooking utensils.
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Spread the word about plastic pollution—and solutions. Talk with friends, family, or coworkers about why plastic reduction matters and what actions they can take.
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Join or start a local group in your community! Collective action and community organizing are where true systemic change happens.
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Packaging Dive
The bipartisan Reuse Act unanimously passed the Senate and was sent to the House on Nov. 20.
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Cleveland.com
In 2014, Sherri Mason ventured out onto Lake Erie aboard the U.S. EPA’s Lake Guardian research vessel and came back...
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TIME
Throwing your plastic bottles in the recycling bin may make you feel good about yourself, or ease your guilt about your climate impact. But recycling...
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Frontiers
Plastic pollution is one of the defining environmental challenges of our time, with far-reaching impacts on ecosystems, communities, and...
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The Revelator
The global annual production of plastics rose to 400 million metric tons in 2022 and is projected to double by 2050. Many items produced are single-use, and less than 10% of plastic waste is recycled.
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December 2025
The widespread use of single-use food and beverage serviceware has serious environmental, health, and economic consequences.
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5 Gyres: Plastic Free Parks Trashblitz 2025
December 2025
Now in its fourth year, the Plastic-Free Parks project, led by The 5 Gyres Institute, brings together community scientists, advocates, adventurers, and volunteers to...
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October 2025
Plastics, particularly polyethylene terephthalate (PET), are widely used as food contact materials, textiles, and toys. However, their widespread use and potential for human exposure...
| | Upcoming Webinars and Trainings | |
Upcoming Trainings from Beyond Plastics
The Spring 2026 Beyond Plastic Pollution course begins on February 18 and is held via Zoom on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 PM. Learn more and register HERE!
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Sustainable Brand Highlight
Say hello to HiBAR and goodbye to plastic! HiBAR brings you excellent alternatives to your usual personal care products without all the plastic packaging. Their products are waterless, highly concentrated, and long lasting.
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Plastic Podcast Pick
Join Shannon Lovgren, host of EarthSayers, in conversation with Judith Enck, President of Beyond Plastics, as they explore the issue of plastic pollution and discuss Beyond Plastics’ new book, The Problem with Plastic.
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Book of the Month
Just released earlier this month, The Problem with Plastic, authored by Judith Enck and Beyond Plastics with Adam Mahoney, is a powerful investigation into plastic's impact on human health, and the environment, and how we can organize within our communities to create positive change.
Interested in hosting a book gathering for this book? Beyond Plastics has you covered.
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Interested in being part of the solution to plastic pollution in Missouri? Fill out this brief interest form or scan the QR code to connect with our Plastics Team!
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