Eileen Ryan, Beyond Plastics Speakers’ Bureau Member & Founder of Beyond Plastics Greater Boston
Eileen Ryan was inspired to join the Beyond Plastics Speakers Bureau as soon as it was proposed in 2021. She wanted to help spread the urgent message about the human and environmental impacts of plastic pollution.
“I love speaking to audiences of all ages,” Eileen says. “The knowledge about the health hazards of plastics – both from chemicals and micro and nano plastics — has radically increased in the past five years since I began my training as a public speaker.”
Some recent moments from her presentations have especially stayed with her. At one talk, an older man asked her, “So, you're completely against artificial turf? You don't think we need to work on an alternative product?” Eileen replied, “We already have an alternative to artificial turf and it’s called grass.” She then spoke about organically grown grass fields and the importance of moving away from synthetic alternatives.
Another memorable moment came after a public library screening of the documentary Plastic People. “I had two very low-income, possibly unhoused people in my audience,” Eileen says. “One is a bottle and can picker named John.” Before the screening, John told her how he always brings his reusable cup to Dunkin’ and how he knows about the microplastics found in bottled water. “He never drinks it,” Eileen says. “So even the unhoused are getting the message that plastic is bad for our health.”
Through her presentations, Eileen hopes people leave with a deeper understanding of the crisis and a sense that they can make a difference. She wants audiences to know that it’s not their fault that plastic is so difficult to avoid, but that there are ways to lessen exposure. She reminds people that we can’t recycle our way out of this mess, that the climate crisis is directly connected to plastics, and that plastic pollution is both an environmental justice and ecological crisis. Most importantly, she wants people to know that joining the movement matters.
“Being an activist is fun,” Eileen says, quoting Kirstie Pecci: “It’s the only way to stay sane and meet nice people.”
As an artist, Eileen is always leading the charge to find eye-catching, conversation-starting ways to inegage people in fighting plastic pollution.
Eileen often begins her talks with the words, “Plastic pollution is a human health and an environmental and ecological crisis...” It’s a message she brings to every audience along with her signature creativity. People especially enjoy seeing her signs and costumes at events and tabling actions, including her recent appearance at the Watertown Eco Fest alongside Leslie Evans.
Whether speaking at libraries, community events, or local festivals, Eileen continues to inspire people to take action and rethink their relationship with plastics. And, without fail, her custom outfits, protest signs, and postcard designs tend to leave the rest of us in the dust!
If you live in Massachusetts, check out Beyond Plastics Greater Boston and consider getting involved. You can find them on Facebook and Instagram as well as at local farmers markets, advocacy events (like this postcard writing party we featured a few years back), and sometimes at the state house calling for legislative change.
The Beyond Plastics Speakers Bureau
Our all-volunteer Speakers Bureau is about more than just sharing information — we aim to inspire and support advocacy and help empower communities to take action to stop plastic pollution. This growing network of trained, knowledgeable advocates plays an essential role in educating people, organizations, and policymakers about various aspects of plastic pollution and the solutions to this crisis. We are actively working to expand this network in every state so more communities can access local, informed voices.
If you’re interested in joining the Beyond Plastics Volunteer Speakers Bureau, please complete the form and we’ll be in touch.