Category: Plastic Pollution

News

Plastic Pollution

Refillery Station Prevents Single Use Plastic in Rio Grande Valley, Texas "Republished from TruchaRGV.com"

September 14, 2023 by Abigail Vela

The Beginning of RGV Refillery Marisa Bravo is an RGV native hailing from Mission, Texas. RGV Refillery began in her home during the COVID-19 pandemic after Marisa grew interested in sustainable living. “I noticed a lot of plastic waste in my life that I was producing, so I wanted to change that. I did a […]READ MORE

All Eyes on the Gulf, Featured, Petrochemicals, Plastic Pollution

Systems of opression beget systems of opression

September 02, 2023 by Alexis Young

In Calcasieu Parish, a little over three hours away from New Orleans, sits the city of Sulphur, Louisiana. The over 85-mile stretch of oil and gas and petrochemical (plastic production)plants along the Mississippi River includes the Calcasieu and Cameron parishes surrounding Lake Charles. Founder of The Vessel Project of Louisiana and Gulf Fossil Finance Coordinator […]READ MORE

All Eyes on the Gulf, Petrochemicals, Plastic Pollution

You have to hit ‘em where it hurts

July 15, 2023 by People over Plastic staff with files from Alexis Young

Growing up, Shamyra Lavigne thought she lived in a paradise. Her home in St. James Parish, Louisiana was nestled between the Mississippi River and lush sugar cane fields. Her days were spent playing outdoors surrounded by tall grass, butterflies, and birds. When reflecting back on those times, Shamyra describes it as a life of privilege. […]READ MORE

All Eyes on the Gulf, Petrochemicals, Plastic Pollution

They just abandoned us.

July 13, 2023 by People over Plastic staff with files from Alexis Young

The EPA recently halted a civil rights investigation that might have addressed some of the major environmental racism concerns of predominantly Black communities in Louisiana's “Cancer Alley”. In 2022, Earthjustice and the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed a complaint with the EPA on behalf of Sierra Club AND Concerned Citizens of St. […]READ MORE

All Eyes on the Gulf, Climate, Petrochemicals, Plastic Pollution

In the afterlife of slavery

July 01, 2023 by People over Plastic Staff with files from Alexis Young | Photo and videography by Jay Marcano

Dr. Joy Banner is all too familiar with the uphill battle facing Black communities in Louisiana’s River Parishes. As Co-founder of the Descendants Project, an organization committed to the intergenerational healing and flourishing of the Black descendant community in the Louisiana river parishes she focuses her work on the intersecting histories of enslavement, settler colonialism, […]READ MORE

Climate, Oil and Gas, Petrochemicals, Plastic Pollution

Perseverance is absolutely critical

June 19, 2023 by People over Plastic

In Conversation: Patrice Simms of People over Plastic and Earthjustice In the last few years, the Biden administration has introduced a number of initiatives that would suggest it’s serious about environmental justice. For some observers, these initiatives were welcomed, if not long overdue. For years, community members, environmental groups and advocates have pushed the federal […]READ MORE

Climate, Cop City, Oil and Gas, Petrochemicals, Plastic Pollution, Prisons, Redlining

Juneteenth is a celebration of Black joy, but also a call-to-action

June 19, 2023 by Mary Black

Analysis: For me, Juneteenth is a celebration of Black joy. It’s also a call-to-action for climate and environmental justice for people of the African diaspora. Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved Africans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom, more than two years after the […]READ MORE

All Eyes on the Gulf, Petrochemicals, Plastic Pollution

In Focus: Deer Park, Texas residents continue to fear for their health and safety

June 01, 2023 by People over Plastic staff with files from Alexis Young

It might feel as though the community of Deer Park, Texas is a world away from the discussion table in Paris where international delegates are meeting this week to negotiate a Global Plastics Treaty. But for residents in this largely Latino and Hispanic community, any decisions coming out of those talks are certain to have […]READ MORE

Petrochemicals, All Eyes on the Gulf, Indigenous, Plastic Pollution

“We are the sacrifice zones”

June 01, 2023 by People over Plastic staff with files from Alexis Young

For residents living in the suburb of Deer Park, Texas, the chemical fire which broke out at the Shell Chemical Plant on May 5th was far from an isolated incident. The community, located just over 20 miles from Houston, is made up of mostly single-family homes lined with gardens and prides itself on being a […]READ MORE

All Eyes on the Gulf, Petrochemicals, Plastic Pollution

All Eyes On The Gulf: A Series That Brings You Into The Heart Of Frontline Communities

May 12, 2023 by People over Plastic

People over Plastic is dedicating a special series of stories to America’s Gulf South. This is a region where some of the nation’s most pressing environmental injustices play out every day. The Gulf Coast in particular is a crucial petrochemical hub consisting of at least 55 major chemical plants. This is also where one-fifth of […]READ MORE

Petrochemicals, Climate, Plastic Pollution

EPA Proposal will Curb Chemical Plant Emissions

May 05, 2023 by People over Plastic Staff

For years, communities living near petrochemical industries have fought to have their voices heard and it seems those years of advocacy are paying off. On April 6th, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposal to curb the emissions of chemical plants in the hope of protecting the public. The proposal would see a 6,000-ton […]READ MORE

Climate, Food, Greenwashing, Petrochemicals, Plastic Pollution, Waste

Analysis: Growing Bioplastics Or Growing Food

May 05, 2023 by People over Plastic Staff

In March, the Biden administration announced an effort aimed at tackling the plastic pollution crisis by replacing 90% of plastics with biomaterials. But the move is being described as short-sighted. Worse yet, it may even be more harmful for the environment in the long run. A growing body of research suggests these seemingly eco-friendly alternatives […]READ MORE

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Podcasts

Food, Indigenous, Petrochemicals, Plastic Pollution, Waste

Not My Mainland

December 08, 2022 by People over Plastic

featuring food justice advocate, Josh Mori, Kauaʻi Hawaiʻi
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Climate, Petrochemicals, Plastic Pollution, Prisons, Redlining

The First Responder

November 22, 2022 by People over Plastic

featuring community advocate making advancements in criminal justice, David Heppard READ MORE

Climate, Cop City, Greenwashing, Plastic Pollution, Waste

The Hot Seat

October 27, 2022 by People over Plastic

featuring ecologist and "Cop City" activist Jacqueline Echols READ MORE

Climate, Petrochemicals, Plastic Pollution, Waste

Secret Sauce

October 13, 2022 by People over Plastic

featuring community organizers Miss Sharon & Shamyra Lavigne, St. James Parish, Louisiana
READ MORE

Climate, Petrochemicals, Plastic Pollution, Waste

People over Plastic Season Three Podcast Trailer - with Prism

October 08, 2022 by People over Plastic