Host a “The Problem With Plastic” Book Party or Event
Beyond Plastics' first book, "The Problem with Plastic" will be published by The New Press on December 2, 2025 and we would love to have your help spreading the word about it, before, during and after it hits shelves. Please see below for resources you can use to help urge your local bookstore(s) to pre-order the book (very important to ensure a wide release!), and for everything you'll need to host a house party, event at a book store or library, or a meeting of your book club once the book is released. If you have any questions at all, please contact Suzette Munley at suzettemunley@bennington.edu. Thanks for your help!
*Note: The menu bar above links to a Google document where you can copy language from. You can also scroll down to see each section and copy directly from this webpage.
BOOKSTORE PRE-ORDER
Sample Email or Website Contact Form Response:
Subject: Request to Order ‘The Problem with Plastic’ by Judith Enck
Hello [Bookseller Name],
I’m a big fan of [Bookstore Name] and always enjoy browsing your wonderful selection. I’m writing to ask if you’d consider ordering a copy of Judith Enck’s new book, “The Problem with Plastic.” Judith, Beyond Plastics president and former EPA regional administrator, joins journalist Adam Mahoney in offering an eye-opening investigation into how plastic pollution affects our health, communities, and climate — an important read for our region.
If you’d like more information, you can find the title and ISBN below:
Title: The Problem with Plastic
Author: Judith Enck
ISBN: 978-1-250-87654-7
Thank you for supporting local readers and for helping to bring this timely title to our community. I look forward to picking up a copy soon!
Warmly,
[Your Name]
[Your Email or Phone (optional)]
BOOKCLUB MEETING
Make “The Problem with Plastic” by Judith Enck Your Next Book Club Read.
Because reading together can empower a movement.
Plastic pollution isn’t just piling up in our oceans — it’s also in our bodies, our neighborhoods, and our ecosystems. “The Problem with Plastic” is a powerful investigation into plastic’s impact on human health and the environment, and how we can fight back.
Written by Judith Enck — a former EPA regional administrator, a longtime environmental justice advocate, and the president of Beyond Plastics — this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the scope of the problem and be part of the solution.
"I don't think anyone on planet Earth knows more about the plastics problem than Judith Enck — including, most crucially, what to do about it. This is a handbook for people looking to make a difference!" —Bill McKibben
We’ve got your back with:
📘 A powerful discussion guide
🎬 Bonus – Play a short video from Judith Enck
⚡️ Resources to push for local change
🎉 Event ideas for hosting a plastic-free gathering
🌿 Learn more about the plastics crisis
📚 Hand out our bookmark to plant the seeds of change
Your book club has power. Let’s use it.
Make “The Problem with Plastic” your next read — and help build a movement to break free from plastic.
HOUSE PARTY
Bring your friends, neighbors, and community together to learn, connect, and take action on plastic pollution.
What’s a House Party?
It’s a fun, low-pressure way to bring people together to talk about Judith Enck’s powerful new book — and what we can all do to reduce and avoid plastic pollution.
Here’s what it could look like:
📚 Chat about the book: Share a few favorite takeaways and open it up for discussion. We’ve got questions you can use if you want! (link to discussion questions)
🍽️ Keep it plastic-free: Show it’s possible! Use reusables for snacks and drinks.
📝 Take action: Invite people to take a small step, like signing a petition or joining a local group.
🔖 Hand out our bookmark to plant the seeds of change
📸 Post and tag: Snap a few pics and tag Beyond Plastics (you can find our social handles here) with #ProblemWithPlastic so others get inspired, too.
🧠 Get Inspired: Watch a short message from Judith Enck or invite a local speaker or organizer from our grassroots network, to connect the book to action in your area.
🙌 Just have fun with it: There’s no wrong way to do it. Whether it’s three people or 30, it counts.
Ready to host? Start with our:
Sample invites and social posts
Ideas for easy actions your group can take
Reach out! We’re here to help make it easy and fun.
BOOKSTORE EVENT
Bring “The Problem with Plastic” to your local library or bookstore.
Whether you're a long-time advocate or just getting started, this toolkit has everything you need to organize a meaningful event around Judith Enck’s new book, “The Problem with Plastic.” Designed for libraries and bookstores, it's a simple, powerful way to spark conversation and community action.
Below you’ll find:
A sample outreach email to bookstores/librarians
An event agenda template
Suggested discussion questions
Social media graphics & sample posts
A printable bookmark
A welcome video from co-author Judith Enck
Why host?
Because real change starts with informed communities — and a great conversation. Let’s elevate “The Problem with Plastic” from a book to a movement.
Sample Email
Subject: Partner on a book event for ‘The Problem with Plastic’ by Judith Enck and Adam Mahoney?
Dear [Name or Team],
I’m reaching out to explore a co-hosted event at [bookstore/library name] for “The Problem with Plastic,” a powerful new release by Judith Enck, former EPA regional administrator and founder of Beyond Plastics and Adam Mahoney, a rising journalist. The book dives into how plastic pollution affects our health, communities, and climate.
We’d love to collaborate with you to bring this important conversation to [our/your] community — whether it’s a book talk, panel, or discussion. We would help promote the event, provide materials, and provide other support, as needed.
Please let me know if you’re interested, and I’m happy to share more details along with a toolkit to make it easy.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Organization, if applicable]
[Your Contact Info]
Sample Agenda
“The Problem with Plastic”
A Book Talk and Community Conversation
Hosted by [Bookstore/Library Name] & Beyond Plastics [local group or affiliate name]
Date: [Insert Date]
Time: [Insert Start–End Time]
Location: [Insert Venue Name & Address]
Agenda
6:00 – 6:10 p.m. | Welcome & Introductions
Welcome from [Bookstore/Library Name]
Introduction to Beyond Plastics
Overview of the evening’s agenda
6:10 – 6:35 p.m. | Book Talk: The Problem with Plastic
Remarks from a local speaker
Selected reading from the book
6:35 – 6:50 p.m. | Community Q&A
Audience questions and open discussion
Facilitated by [Moderator Name]
6:50 – 7:00 p.m. | Take Action!
Learn how to reduce plastic pollution locally
Sign up for campaigns, local advocacy, and email list*
Pick up free materials: bookmark, postcard, flyer
Light refreshments & networking
*To reduce printing, we encourage you to create and display a QR code at your event that links directly to your email list/campaign. You can generate free QR codes at bitly.com.
Hosted by:
[insert local group or affiliate name]: a national project working to end plastic pollution through policy and grassroots action.
Learn more: beyondplastics.org
[Bookstore/Library Name]: [Insert one-liner about host]
INVITATIONS
Copy the text below, paste it into an email, edit anything you need to, fill in the missing details, and send!
Sample 1: You're Invited!
Join me for a house party to celebrate the release of “The Problem with Plastic” by Judith Enck — a powerful new book about how plastic pollution is harming our health, climate, and communities.
📖 We'll chat about the book, connect with others who care, and talk about what we can do to create change — all over some snacks and good company.
📅 [Insert Date & Time]
📍 [Insert Location]
RSVP: [Your contact info or RSVP link]
Hope you can make it! Let’s connect and imagine a world with less plastic.
Sample 2: Let’s Take Action Together
You're invited to a house party to dig into “The Problem with Plastic,” a bold new book by Judith Enck — Beyond Plastics president and former EPA regional administrator — and journalist Adam Mahoney that exposes the truth about plastic pollution and what we can do to stop it.
📚 We’ll discuss the book, connect with fellow activists, and strategize about how to turn this moment into real change — all in community (and with snacks!).
📅 [Insert Date & Time]
📍 [Insert Location]
RSVP: [Your contact info or RSVP link]
Bring your passion, your questions, and a friend — let’s organize and build the movement. Because enough is enough. It’s time to move beyond plastics.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Quick Share Links
If you’re short on time, click the links below to quickly reshare the posts below to help amplify them:👇
Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky | X (formerly Twitter) | Threads | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube
If you have more time, copy the samples below, edit as you see fit and share.
Facebook:
📚 Just asked my local bookstore to stock “The Problem with Plastic” by Judith Enck and Adam Mahoney — a must-read on plastic pollution. Ask your favorite indie bookstore to carry it too! 🌍💚 https://www.beyondplastics.org/problem-with-plastic-book #theproblemwithplastic #planetorplastic #noplastic #zerowaste #noburn #peopleoverplastic #toxicplastic #zerowastelifestyle #plasticfree @newpressbooks @beyondplasticsactionInstagram
📚 Just asked my local bookstore to stock “The Problem with Plastic” by Judith Enck of @beyondplastics and journalist @adamlmahoney — a must-read on plastic pollution. Ask your favorite indie bookstore to carry it, too! 🌍💚 @newpressbooks https://www.beyondplastics.org/problem-with-plastic-bookX:
Just asked my local bookstore to stock “The Problem with Plastic” by Judith Enck & Adam Mahoney. You should, too. Let’s get this book out into the world! 📚🌎 @AdamLMahoney @enckj @plasticsbeyond @thenewpress #planetorplasticBluesky:
🤓 Must-read NEW BOOK from @beyondplastics.bsky.social and @adamlmahoney.bsky.social📘due out from @thenewpress.bsky.social on Dec. 2 🗓️! Pre-order your copy of “The Problem with Plastic: How We Can Save Ourselves and Our Planet Before It’s Too Late” NOW: https://www.beyondplastics.org/problem-with-plastic-book 🌎Threads
🤓 Must-read NEW BOOK from @BeyondPlastics📘coming from @thenewpress on Dec. 2 🗓️! Pre-order your copy of “The Problem with Plastic: How We Can Save Ourselves and Our Planet Before It’s Too Late” NOW: https://www.beyondplastics.org/problem-with-plastic-book 🌎Tik-Tok
🤓 Must-read NEW BOOK from @beyondplasticsaction📘coming from @thenewpress on Dec. 2 🗓️! Pre-order your copy of “The Problem with Plastic: How We Can Save Ourselves and Our Planet Before It’s Too Late” NOW: https://www.beyondplastics.org/problem-with-plastic-book 🌎
