Working to reduce plastic use in Missouri

"The Great Rivers State"

We can break free from plastic, Missouri!

As information continues to surface on the negative impacts of plastic use and waste, we're delivering the latest news and research on plastic pollution, and a roundup of insightful webinars—both upcoming and past. Plus, we’re highlighting another sustainable brand, along with an excellent podcast and a fresh book recommendation to keep you informed and inspired.

Here's our March Plastic Awareness news!

March Features

Photos from the Road! In March, our Show-Me Less Plastic Team hosted the first Advocacy workshop in Columbia, MO! We also asked Missouri's conservation community to join us in tackling plastic pollution at CFM's 89th Annual Convention. Interested in a workshop or presentation near you? Connect with our team!

How can YOU reduce your personal use of plastic?

Buy toilet paper that is packaged in paper, not plastic.
Keep cardboard boxes in your car to transport heavy grocery items instead of plastic bags.
If you're caring for a child, choose glass baby bottles.
Use a reusable cloth bag or old fashioned steel lunch box to carry your lunch to work or school.
Try making your own yogurt and storing it in a glass container! Here's a recipe.

Plastics in the News

Is It Time To Talk About Chewing Gum And Plastic?

Forbes

Most of us are used to hearing how microplastics are literally permeating every aspect of our daily lives.

Microplastics hinder plant photosynthesis, study finds, threatening millions with starvation

The Guardian

The pollution of the planet by microplastics is significantly cutting food supplies by...

We got rid of acid rain. Now something scarier is falling from the sky

Vox

In the 1970s, acid rain was one of the most serious environmental threats in North America and Europe.

What You Can Do About Microplastics in Your Food

Consumer Reports

Few synthetic substances are as ubiquitous across the globe as microplastics.

Plastic Pollution: So Much Bigger Than Straws

The Revelator

The current administration continues to senselessly undermine efforts to reduce single-use plastics.

Organ failure, neurodegenerative diseases in seabirds linked to plastic consumption say scientists

ABC News

Australian researchers have linked plastic consumption to organ failure in tiny seabird chicks.

Recent Research

Discovery of Microplastics in Human Brains Post-Mortem

February 2025

Environmental concentrations of anthropogenic microplastic and nanoplastic (MNP), polymer-based particulates ranging from 500 µm in diameter down to 1 nm, have increased exponentially...

Study Explores Connection Between Prenatal PFAS Exposure from Contaminated Water and Childhood Cancer Risk in California

January 2025

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that are ubiquitous in nature following their use in manufacturing and consumer products since...

Link Between Plastic Chemical BPA Exposure and Body Fat in Children

December 2024

Childhood overweight and obesity have reached a global epidemic. According to the Chinese National Survey on Students’ Constitution and Health survey...

Study Investigates PFAS Chemicals in Canadians' Blood, Their Effect on Liver Health, and a Possible Dietary Method to Lower PFAS Levels

March 2025

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large class of chemicals, many of which are persistent, mobile, and bioaccumulative chemicals. The general public is exposed to PFASs...

Upcoming Webinars and Trainings

April 1 at 6:00PM - BYO US Reduces Bi-Monthly meeting with Katya Cronin, J.D. on FDA-approved PFAS-laden food contact materials hosted by BYO US Reduces

April 3 at 6:00PM - Melting Down The House hosted by Beyond Plastics Virtual Group

April 15 at 12:00PM - Children's Health: Assessing impacts of the exposome hosted by Collaborative for Health and Environment

April 16 at 9:00AM - 2025 Harkin on Wellness Symposium hosted by Harkin on Wellness

April 24 at 1:00PM - Childhood Cancer & the Environment: Prevention opportunities hosted by Collaborative for Health and Environment

Last Chance to Register - Plastics & Human Health Online Course!

Plastics, Microplastics, and Human Health with Dr. Megan Wolff, P-SNAP

Every Wednesday at 6:00PM from April 16 to May 28

March Spotlights

Sustainable Brand Highlight

Founded by two sisters, Plaine Products began with a dream to have less plastic waste in the world through their sustainable personal care products and packaging.

Book of the Month

If you’ve ever thought twice about using a plastic straw, check out A Year of No Garbage: Recycling Lies, Plastic Problems, and One Woman's Trashy Journey to Zero Waste by Eve O. Schaub.

Plastic Podcast Pick

The episode of The Indisposable Podcast: Reuse Beyond Policy: Impactful Community Projects discusses the power of community-focused, non-policy reuse initiatives. It's a great listen, check it out!

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

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