Working to reduce plastic use in Missouri

"The Great Rivers State"

We can break free from plastic, Missouri!

Spring is a season of renewal, growth, and fresh starts—so what better time to rethink our relationship with plastics?

This month, we’re bringing you the latest news on plastics, groundbreaking research on its environmental and human health impacts, and innovative solutions paving the way for a plastic-free future. Don’t miss our product highlights, thought-provoking podcasts, and must-attend webinars designed to inspire action and spark change.

Let’s make this a season of transformation—one less plastic item at a time!

Here's our February Plastic Awareness news!

February Features

Join us at the FIRST Show-Me Less Plastic Advocacy Workshop at the Columbia Public Library on Tuesday, March 4th from 11AM-2PM!

It's not too late! Enjoy a FREE home screening of the "Microplastic Madness" documentary!

How can YOU reduce your personal use of plastic?

When possible, avoid convenience foods packaged in plastic.
Consider choosing foods that are packaged in glass, such as maple syrup or peanut butter.
If you purchase something packaged in glass, clean it and reuse it for things like food storage.
Buy bulk coffee packaged in paper, or bring your own plastic-free container!
Choose stainless steel sippy cups for kids instead of plastic cups.

Plastics in the News

The Story You’ve Been Told About Recycling Is a Lie

New York Times

In the closing years of the Cold War, something strange started to happen...

Why some Starbucks locations are switching from plastic to paper cups

Grist

Starbucks customers across hundreds of locations in the United States started their weeks off with a surprise...

Microplastics in placentas linked to premature births, study suggests

The Guardian

A study has found microplastic and nanoplastic pollution to be significantly higher in placentas from premature births than in those from full-term births.

Scientists call on U.S., Canada to confront 'ubiquitous' Great Lakes microplastics pollution

The Detroit News

The United States and Canada should take stronger action against microplastic pollution in the Great Lakes, an international science advisory board recommended to the governments.

Microplastics can block blood vessels in mice brains, researchers find

The Guardian

Microplastics can move through mice brains and block blood vessels, essentially mimicking blood clots that could potentially be fatal or otherwise disrupt brain function.

Exxon is quietly planning a new $8.6 billion plastics plant in Texas

Grist

Diane Wilson had heard rumors for months that Exxon might be coming to Point Comfort, Texas...

Human brain samples contain an entire spoon’s worth of nanoplastics, study says

CNN

Cognitively normal human brain samples collected at autopsy in early 2024 contained more tiny shards of plastic than samples collected eight years prior...

Recent Research

Independent Science Key to Breaking Stalemates in Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations

February 2025

More than 70 independent plastics experts from the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics

Treaty (‘The Scientists’ Coalition’) attended what was expected to be the final negotiating session

(INC5) of the global plastics treaty...

Age-Dependent Effects of Butyl Benzyl Phthalate Exposure on Lipid Metabolism and Hepatic Fibrosis in Mice

January 2025

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including phthalates, have been implicated in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatic fibrosis.

Microplastic and nanoplastic exposure and risk of diabetes mellitus

January 2025

The issue of plastic pollutants has become a growing concern. Both microplastics (MPs) (particle size < 5 mm) and nanoplastics (NPs) (particle size < 1 µm) can cause DNA damage, cytotoxicity, and...

Exposure to leachates of plastic food containers disturbs glucose and lipid metabolism: Insights from models mimicking real-exposure scenarios

January 2025

The increasing use of plastic food containers, particularly for pre-cooked meals and takeout services, has raised concerns regarding the potential health risks...

Upcoming Webinars and Trainings

Feature Webinars from our partners at Missouri River Bird Observatory!

January 6 to March 31, 2025 - MRBO is hosting a Winter Learning Series every Monday at 6:30PM. Learn more and sign up here!

March 10 - Plastics and Public Health: the unsettling in medical research with Megan Wolff from Cottonwood Environmental Law Center

March 6 at 12:00PM - Microplastics Training hosted by the Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (IRTC)

March 6 at 4:00PM - How Plastics Fueled the LA Wildfires & How to Rebuild Better hosted by Plastic Pollution Coalition

March 6 at 6:00PM - Microplastics: A Poison Like No Other hosted by Beyond Plastics Virtual Group

March 11 at 11:00AM - Learning together: What does success look like in health equity advocacy & organizing? hosted by Missouri Foundation for Health

March 26 at 12:00PM - Impacts of Fracking in North & South America: Resources in English & Spanish hosted by Collaborative for Health and Environment

April 1 at 6:00PM - BYO US Reduces Bi-Monthly meeting hosted by BYO US Reduces

Plastics & Human Health Online Course - Registration Open!

Plastics, Microplastics, and Human Health with Dr. Megan Wolff, Cottonwood Environmental Law Center

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

February Spotlights

Sustainable Brand Highlight

Pirani Life makes convenience less wasteful by raising eco-awareness and creating high quality sustainable solutions to single-use products

Book of the Month

Zero Waste Living: The 80/20 Way empowers the busy individual to take easy steps that have a real impact on the climate and waste crises.

Plastic Podcast Picks

In this episode of The Great Simplification, host Nate Hagens is joined by Dr. Leo Trasande, Dr. Linda Birnbaum, and Christina Dixon, three leading plastic experts, to discuss the harmful effects of plastic on human health and the ongoing global policy efforts.

The most recent episode of The Indisposable Podcast: Reading, Writing, 'Rithmatic, Reuse, shares successes, obstacles, and strategies for switching K-12 schools to reusables in their cafeterias

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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