Philly Talks Trash Fall 2024

Dear Reader,

We all trained ourselves to recycle and many did and still do so dutifully, but nearly 95% of the plastics that we put in our bins are landfilled or incinerated. We are now all too far down the single-use plastic rabbit hole to pull ourselves out easily. We and the growing number of companies who package their items in single-use plastics will have a challenge to get disentangled from the light, inexpensive plastics which are doing so much harm. It will take an increased awareness of the growing body of evidence concerning the dangers of plastics to our planet and our health and the alternatives available to us, before changes will be made.

And while it will not be easy, we can do it. Our guest essayist this quarter is Alisa Shargorodsky, director of ECHO Systems and one of the newsletter’s team members. It was Alisa and ECHO who helped Weavers Way co-op set up its Container Refund Program, recirculating nearly 30,000 reusable containers before she handed the program over to WW to run themselves.

🖋️ From Our Guest Author:
Alisa Shargorodsky, director of ECHO Systems

Philly Unwrapped is a coalition initiated by ECHO Systems, The Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, Trash Academy, Rethink Disposable, Circular Philadelphia, LUHV Foods, and Green Line Access. The coalition is dedicated to empowering local food businesses to transition from single-use plastics to sustainable, reusable packaging, or safer packaging free of toxic chemicals.

The goal is to provide practical resources, foster equitable engagement, and champion community-driven policy initiatives designed to support businesses rather than burden them, leading to an overall reduction of single-use plastics and promoting long-term, sustainable practices that make both economic and environmental sense.

Transitioning to reusable systems and sustainable alternatives doesn’t have to come at the expense of profitability. Our coalition is working to ensure that businesses, especially small, diverse ones, are equipped with the tools, support, and financial resources they need to make this shift. By leveraging federal funding opportunities through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), advocating for local policies that incentivize sustainability and offer direct support to the businesses that need it most.

The Process: A Comprehensive Approach
Philly Unwrapped uses a five-pronged approach to support local food businesses in reducing their reliance on single-use plastics:

1. Sustainable packaging toolkit: In 2023 the coalition developed a step-by-step guide for businesses to help them navigate the transition to sustainable packaging. We are now raising funds to bring this toolkit online.
2. Community engagement: The coalition engages local business owners through listening sessions and educational workshops to learn from their experiences and offer practical solutions.
3. Direct support: Through our partnership with Clean Water Action’s ReThink Disposable program, select businesses can receive hands-on assistance, reusable food ware, and guidance.
4. Creative research: by partnering with Trash Academy to develop an “Implosion”, a visual research tool that helps break down the complexities of single-use plastics and discover community-driven solutions.
5. Advocacy for policy change: The group collectively works to engage local lawmakers and advocate for policies that reduce single-use plastic waste while supporting businesses in adopting more sustainable and circular practices like reuse.

Take Action Today
Joining the Philly Unwrapped coalition is an opportunity to influence the future of packaging and help reduce the negative impacts of single-use plastics on our city. Sign up, or share this invitation with a business owner or organization that might be interested.

Together, we can make a lasting difference for Philadelphia’s food industry and local environment, creating a healthier, more sustainable future for us all. We are also welcoming sponsorships from Philadelphia Anchor Institutions.

Interested in joining? Complete our partner interest form and share this article with others in your network who care about sustainability and the future of Philadelphia.

To learn more and review to full overview please click this link.

🗳️ Politics and Legislation

Elections
It can’t be said often enough that the coming election may be the most consequential in generations, that PA is one of the most pivotal states, and that turnout in Philadelphia can be the deciding factor. According to the Environmental Voter Project there are more than 46,000 inconsistent voters in Philadelphia for whom the environment is their number one issue. Please make sure everyone you know votes in November.

City signs on for a Global Fossil Fuel Treaty
Philadelphia is the latest US city to sign onto the call for a global Fossil Fuel treaty to be negotiated. Resolution 24076600 restates the City’s commitment to the Paris Agreement, endorses a binding agreement to phase out oil, gas and coal extraction, and calls for a just energy transition. The resolution was introduced by Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke and voted unanimously by consensus on September 26. Philadelphia joins a growing coalition of cities and states both in the US and in 13 countries. Read here for more.

Greenwashing
Our intrepid environmental champion, State Representative Chris Rabb has introduced a bill (H.B. 2525) that would update language in Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to address product greenwashing.

We are all regularly subjected to greenwashing — deceptive or misleading claims about the environmental attributes of a product. Everyday examples range from the triangle icons on most plastic containers indicating they are recyclable, when they are not, to fossil fuel companies claiming they are helping to solve the climate crisis.

Rabb has few expectations for the bill in the current session – the house meets only 8 days in October and 2 in November, and it is unlikely the current senate would take it up at all. So we can expect to see it reintroduced next year. Be sure and let Rabb know you would appreciate less greenwashing.

Local ban update: Upper Merion Twp
Phase 2 of Upper Merion Twp’s single use plastic ban went into effect July 1, 2024. In addition to Phase 1’s banning of plastic bags, straws and expanded polystyrene containers, this expansion now includes single use plastic utensils. Maybe a field trip? Learn more.

📅 Events 📝

Click on the calendar icons below to add events to your Google calendar

📅 Oct 23rd, 5pm – 6pm (Online) • PPC Webinar | Plastic-Free President: The Future of U.S. Policy on Plastics • Join the Plastic Pollution Coalition for a discussion with key allies and policy experts about recommendations and priorities for the next U.S. Administration, to protect people and the planet. These actions will be critical not only for the U.S. but for the world—since the U.S. is the world’s top plastic polluting country.

We will be joined by: Judith Enck, President, Beyond Plastics; Jenny Hernandez, Climate Justice Framework Program Manager, Green Latinos; and Alexa White PhD, Climate and Environmental Justice Policy Director, Hip Hop Caucus. This webinar will be moderated by Amy Westervelt, Executive Editor, Drilled.

📅 Nov 13 – 15 (Online) • Just Zero Waste Free Future Summit • Join Just Zero for our inaugural Waste-Free Future Summit. Over the course of three days, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in five free, virtual sessions highlighting innovative tools and successful strategies that communities across the country can utilize to tackle our waste crisis. Register today to engage with experts, advocates, and volunteers who are working to shape a more sustainable, waste-free world.

📅 On-going: Planet Philadelphia radio show • Planet Philadelphia can be heard live the first and third Fridays of each month from 4 to 5 pm at Gtownradio.com (92.9) or anytime on the website archive. Co-producers and hosts Kay Wood and Linda Rosenwein interview experts on environmental issues and related science and technology ranging from hyper-local to global.

📅 On-going: ecoWURD • ecoWURD is a multimedia environmental justice journalism initiative examining Black communities at the intersection of race, health, income & the environment. You can listen to ecoWURD every Friday, 10 a.m. at 96.1 FM.

🌐 Plastic-reduction Resources 🤝🏽

The problems we face with plastic proliferation are great, but an ever-growing group of organizations, laws, and policies are taking aim at the issue, and small businesses are looking to meet the need for products without plastics. The Philly Talks Trash Resource Page is an expanding collection of waste-reduction information, politics, articles, products, and organizations, all focused on reducing plastic use. If you have suggestions for the page please email us. We will highlight a few products and organizations in each newsletter and the link to the full and growing list will always be available at bit.ly/pttq.

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