Unwrap the Future II: Global and Local Solutions to Plastic Pollution

Globally, each year more than 380 million tons of plastic waste harm our health, pollute our environment, and hurt our economy. This program will highlight practical solutions for reducing plastic waste in the business and restaurant sectors, current research on plastic pollution policy, and legislation being considered in New Hampshire to address single-use plastics, extended producer responsibility, container deposit programs, and PFAS regulations.

MODERATOR:

Christina Dubin, Senior Organizer, Beyond Plastics; Campaigns Coordinator, Surfrider NH; Co-Founder, NH Network Plastics Working Group

PRESENTERS:

• Patsy Beffa-Negrini, PhD, RDN, Founding Member, Plastics Working Group

“By the Numbers, Ten Towns • Ten Actions Toolkit Two Year Impact”

Overview of the success of the Ten Towns Ten • Actions Toolkit Campaign at work in 47 towns across all regions of New Hampshire.

• Yayoi Koizumi, Founder, Zero Waste Ithaca

“BYO (Bring Your Own): Community Level Strategies for Zero Waste”

Hear about “Ithaca Reduces | BYO,” which has over 100 businesses that welcome customers to Bring Your Own containers, bottles, utensils, bags, and K-12 school reusables.

• Dr. Zoie Diana, Liber Ero Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Toronto

“Research & Policy on Plastic Pollution Solutions”

Discussion of the Plastics Policy Inventory, a global body of government responses to plastic pollution, and the Policy Effectiveness Library, research on the effectiveness of the policies.

• Christina Dubin, Board Chair, Seacoast CAN, Campaigns Coordinator, Surfrider NH

Learn about the Seacoast area restaurants reusables pilot, Reusable Seacoast, and Surfrider Foundation NH Chapter’s Skip the Stuff Campaign.

• Cindy Heath, Founding Member and Convener, NH Network Plastics Working Group

Update on Container Deposit, Skip the Stuff, PFAS & EPR Legislation in NH