Working to reduce plastic use in Missouri

"The Great Rivers State"

We can break free from plastic, Missouri!

Happy Earth Month! The Show-Me Less Plastic team has been here, there, and everywhere this month, working to increase public awareness about the impacts of plastic pollution on all aspects of our lives. This month's plastic newsletter includes two May engagements, a special call to action, and all the good stuff, from news to research to a podcast and more!

Here's your April Plastic Awareness news!

Featured Events

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!

May 18: Plastic Advocate Network Meeting

Location: Virtual via Zoom

Date: May 18, 2026

Time: 6:30 - 7:30 PM

Register here!

Take Action this Month

Host a screening of The Plastic Detox!

This must-see, eye-opening documentary is now available for FREE community screenings! This film explores the reproductive health impacts of plastic, following the journey of six couples struggling with unexplained infertility as they lower their exposure to plastics in hopes it helps them conceive. Since the film was released on Netflix, it has grabbed attention, broadened awareness, and is sparking a lot of important conversations across the country.

We encourage you to host a film screening in your own community. Beyond Plastics has created a helpful toolkit detailing each step of hosting a screening, including how to access the film.

Plastics in the News

Recent Research

Upcoming Webinars and Trainings

April 27 at 1:00PM - The Fight to Rid Our Homes of Toxic Chemicals - A conversation with author Lindsay Dahl hosted by Alaska Community Action on Toxics

April 28 at 8:00PM - Microplastics and Our Health hosted by Santa Clara County Medical Association

April 29 at 1:00PM - Is it really green? Unmasking greenwashing with Dr. Emily Oertling hosted by Just Zero

April 30 at 12:00PM - The U.S. PCR Market at a Crossroads: Current Challenges, Opportunities, and Paths Forward hosted by US Plastics Pact

May 5 at 10:00AM - Beyond Recycling: EPR Meets Reuse hosted by Resource Recycling Systems

May 7 at 12:30PM - Building Better Systems: Infrastructure That Drives Recycling Behavior hosted by Northeast Recycling Council

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

May 20 at 6:30PM - Zero Waste Task Force Meeting hosted by Westchester Alliance for Sustainable Solutions

April Spotlights

Sustainable Business Highlight

Pura Stainless offers reusable stainless steel bottles for all ages—infants, toddlers, and adults alike. The Pura Stainless team is focused on children's safety and planet health, working to free families from a plasticized world and keeping petroleum-based plastics out of bottles in a fun, modern and colorful way. Check them out!

Plastic Podcast Pick

Earlier this month, Gwyneth Paltrow hosted Beyond Plastics Founder and President, Judith Enck, on The Goop Podcast. Watch or listen to the episode here!

In Case You Missed It

February 3 - Bi-Monthly Meeting featuring Hila the Earth hosted by BYO US Reduces

March 24 - The Cycle of PFAS hosted by Northeast Recycling Council

March 25 - The Evolving Landscape of PFAS hosted by Northeast Recycling Council

March 31 - US Policy Updates for the Waste Industry (part one) hosted by Be Waste Wise

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

April 7 - Material Reuse Forum 12 - Library of Things hosted by Northeast Recycling Council

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

April 15 - Zero Waste Task Force Meeting: Rags or Riches? Textile Recycling 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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