Working to reduce plastic use in Missouri

"The Great Rivers State"

We can break free from plastic, Missouri!

Happy Spring, fellow plastic reduction allies! This month's newsletter features two upcoming community workshops, tips for plastic reduction during Earth Month, and so much more. Plus, check out a recently-released Netflix documentary, The Plastic Detox and a podcast to go with it!

Here's your March Plastic Awareness news!

Featured Events

April 11: Community Advocacy Workshop - Kansas City

Location: Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), The Board Room, 600 Broadway Blvd # 200, Kansas City, MO 64105

Date: April 11, 2026

Time: 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Register here!

May 9: Community Advocacy Workshop - Rolla

Location: Phelps County Courthouse, 200 N. Main Street, Rolla MO 65401

Date: May 9, 2026

Time: 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Register here!

5 Tips for Plastic Reduction during Earth Month

1. Say NO to single use plastics. Commit to small changes like saying no to straws, declining disposable utensils, or bringing your own reusable cup (or going lid-free when possible).
2. Avoid fast fashion. Choose secondhand and look for clothing made from natural, durable materials.
3. Reduce takeout waste. Opt for dine-in, bring your own containers, or request no extras like plastic cutlery and condiment packets.
4. Speak up and share. Talk with friends, family, and colleagues about reducing single-use plastics, and lead by example.
5. Attend an Earth Day event in your community! You'll see us at:

• April 17: Mexico Parks & Rec Arbor Day & Earth Day Program
• April 22: Missouri S&T Earth Day Festival (Rolla)
• April 22: Mastodon State Historic Site Earth Day Community Event (Imperial)
• April 24: Missouri Southern State University Earth Day Conference (Joplin)
• April 25–26: St. Louis Earth Day Festival
• April 25: Birds, Bees, & Blooms Festival (Arrow Rock)
• April 26: Columbia Area Earth Day Festival

Plastics in the News

Recent Research

Upcoming Webinars and Trainings

TONIGHT - March 27 at 8:00PM: Plastics, Microplastics, and Human Health hosted by Northern Colorado Alliance for a Livable Future

March 31 at 9:00AM - US Policy Updates for the Waste Industry (part one) hosted by Be Waste Wise

April 2 at 12PM - Plastic, Chemicals & Infertility: What we know now hosted by Collaborative for Health and Environment

April 7 at 12:30PM - Material Reuse Forum 12 - Library of Things hosted by Northeast Recycling Council

April 8 at 7:00AM - Launching the Refill & Reuse Systems Handbook: Practical Guidance for Building Systems That Last hosted by Perpetual

April 9 at 4:00PM - The Plastic Detox: A Conversation About Plastic & Health hosted by Plastic Pollution Coalition

April 14 at 7:00AM - The Lifecycle of a Sustainable Waste Management Project hosted by Be Waste Wise

April 15 at 6:30AM - From Fast Fashion to Smart Solutions: Rethinking Textile Waste hosted by Be Waste Wise

April 15 at 6:30PM - Monthly Zero Waste Task Force Meeting hosted by Westchester Alliance for Sustainable Solutions

May 7 at 6:00PM - The Plastic Detox: Exploring the impact of plastic in reproductive health hosted by Beyond Plastics

March Spotlights

Sustainable Business Highlight

Wild offers high-quality personal care products—such as deodorant, body wash, and lip balm—packaged in stylish, easy-to-use, mess-free refillable containers. Refills are packaged using conventional plastic-free materials because Wild believes that personal care should be a cut above. Check them out!

Plastic Podcast Pick

In this episode of The Great Simplification, Nate Hagens is joined by Dr. Shanna Swan and Sian Sutherland as they discuss The Plastic Detox film and the powerful impact of reducing exposure to endocrine disruptors on fertility and human health. Listen here!

In Case You Missed It

February 26 - The interlinkage between plastics and climate change and the entire life of plastics from extraction to disposal hosted by Alaska Community Action on Toxics

February 27 - Circular Economy: Reality or Dream? hosted by Be Waste Wise

March 4 - 2026 Summit: Plastics on Our Minds and in Our Brains hosted by Moms Clean Air Force

March 5 - Chemical recycling of plastics: Health concerns and technological limits hosted by Collaborative for Health and Environment

March 10 - Smart Packaging & RFID: Digital Solutions for a Circular Economy hosted by Be Waste Wise

March 11 - Monthly Networking Meeting hosted by Beyond Plastics

March 12 - Consumers want nutritious, low-impact food: How can innovation deliver at scale? hosted by Innovation Forum

March 12 - Hold the Plastic: How to Get Plastic Out of Student Meals hosted by Beyond Plastics

March 17 - PFAS in Drinking Water: Health Risks, Science, and Solutions for Alaska and Beyond hosted by Alaska Community Action on Toxics

March 18 - Monthly Zero Waste Task Force Meeting hosted by Westchester Alliance for Sustainable Solutions

Connect with Our Team!

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!

Check out our plastics website at: https://www.streamteamsunited.org/show-me-less-plastic.html

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