New Analysis Finds Toxic Chemicals from Plastics Linked to Thousands of Preventable Deaths in the U.S.
Exposure to toxic chemicals commonly used in plastics is associated with a higher risk of death, according to a major peer-reviewed study published in The Lancet Planetary Health that is drawing renewed attention from public health experts and environmental advocates.
Heastie Wants to Protect the Environment — Pass the Plastic Reduction Act NOW
During his opening remarks of the 2026 legislative session, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie expressed strong commitment to protecting the environment and curbing climate change. Luckily, the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRIA - A1749 Glick/S1464 Harckham) is already on the Assembly floor and will do just that — and save money for municipalities and taxpayers.
California Attorney General Issues Enforcement Advisory Reminding Businesses Not to Sell Polystyrene Foam in California
Nearly one year after California’s ban on polystyrene foam took effect under Senate Bill 54, illegal products are still widely available across the state. On December 2, 2025, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued an enforcement advisory to producers of polystyrene foam food service ware, warning them that continued sales, distribution, or importation of these products in or into California violates state law.
Judith Enck’s New Book, 'The Problem With Plastic,' Shatters Common Myths and Gives Readers Real Ways to Fight Plastic Pollution
On December 2, The New Press will release “The Problem With Plastic: How We Can Save Ourselves and Our Planet Before It’s Too Late” by Judith Enck and Beyond Plastics with Adam Mahoney. The book, which is currently available for pre-order, provides a powerful investigation into plastic’s impact on human health and the environment, a searing indictment of the plastics industry that created this mess, and a playbook for how we can fight back.
Beyond Plastics Announces Former U.S. Senate Staffer Rita O’Connell as National Plastics Organizer
O’Connell to Lead Organization’s Grassroots Efforts to Block Chemical Recycling Facilities in Various States.
Follow the Money: New Report Reveals David vs. Goliath Battle Over New York’s Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act
A new report from Beyond Plastics reveals that in 2025, over 100 businesses — including Amazon, McDonald’s, ExxonMobil, and Coca-Cola — lobbied to block the New York Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (S1464 / A1749), outnumbering supporters’ lobbyists by a margin of 4 to 1. Titled “Follow the Money: The David vs. Goliath Battle to Pass the New York Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act," the report found that 107 registered businesses lobbied to defeat the packaging-reduction bill, and only 23 registered organizations lobbied to pass it.
Environmentalists and Community Leaders from Across New York Rally in Albany Calling on the State Assembly to Pass Packaging Reduction Act
New York environmentalists and community leaders from across the state rallied outside the state Capital building in Albany on Saturday, September 13 in support of the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (Assembly Bill 1749). The bill passed the New York state Senate the last two years but has not yet been brought to the New York state Assembly floor for a vote.
Alterra Energy Withdraws Controversial Plastics Pyrolysis Proposal in Sugarloaf, Pennsylvania
Alterra Energy has withdrawn its proposal for a plastic pyrolysis facility in Sugarloaf, Pennsylvania, sparking relief from community members. Obtained from a public records request, a letter from Alterra Energy to the Sugarloaf Township Board of Supervisors officially withdrew the company’s proposal for a so-called “chemical recycling” facility.
Beyond Plastics Unveils 31 Days of Action for Plastic Free July
In celebration of Plastic Free July, Beyond Plastics is rolling out a robust slate of resources and activities to help all of us take concrete steps toward a plastic-free future. With Beyond Plastics’ help, individuals can participate in 31 days of simple, effective actions — one for every day of the month — to reduce reliance on plastic.
Two Years in a Row, New York State Assembly Fails to Pass Widely Popular Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act
For the second year in a row, the Democratic supermajority- controlled New York State Assembly failed to vote on the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (A1749 Glick) despite having enough votes to pass. Judith Enck, Beyond Plastics president and former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regional administrator, issued the following statement.
Judith Enck: Pass the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act Immediately
“President Trump has launched an unprecedented assault on environmental protections. New Yorkers didn’t vote for any of this, yet at the eleventh hour the Assembly Speaker still has not brought up for a vote this widely popular environmental and public health measure that would pass major cost savings onto municipalities and taxpayers. As has been reported for weeks, the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act has enough votes to pass. It’s unbelievable that we’re in this position for the second year in a row. Assembly Speaker Heastie needs to bring the bill to a vote immediately.”
New York Mayors, Counties, Towns Urge Assembly to Pass Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act
Yesterday, the New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Offices, the New York State Association of Counties, and the New York Association of Towns issued a joint statement urging the Assembly to pass the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (A1749 Glick).
Beyond Plastics Raises Concerns Over Inaccurate Packaging Cost Study
As the petrochemical industry and its allies lobby against the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (S1464 Harckham/A1749 Glick) and falsely claim the legislation would raise grocery prices, Beyond Plastics is correcting the record.
National Sierra Club Head Ben Jealous Urges New York Assembly Leadership to Pass Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act
This morning, the national Sierra Club executive director and former NAACP executive director Ben Jealous sent a letter to New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assembly Member Michaelle Solages, chair of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus, urging them to pass the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act.
Award-Winning Environmental Justice Advocate Stands With Legislators Against Plastic Pollution
Today, Sharon Lavigne (founder, CEO, and director of Rise St. James and one of TIME’s 2024 most influential people) joined state legislators at a news conference at the New York state capital. Lavigne visited from St. James Parish, Louisiana, where she lives among the nation’s highest concentrations of pollution from plastics production in “Cancer Alley.” Lavigne and allies urged the New York State Assembly to pass the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (A1749 Glick) following the bill’s passage through the Senate on May 28.
California’s Polystyrene Foam Ban Is Not Being Enforced, Say Environmental Advocates
More than 90 organizations — including Beyond Plastics, Plastic Pollution Coalition, Californians Against Waste, Surfrider, and California Nurses for Environmental Health and Justice — have sent a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom calling for him to enforce the statewide ban on polystyrene foam food service products that went into effect on January 1, 2025. Despite the ban being in place for five months, these items remain widely available in stores and online.
ICYMI: As Chemical and Plastic Industry Spend Dirty Money, Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act Gains Momentum
As the final weeks of the New York state legislative session begin, the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act continues to gain momentum despite the plastics and chemical companies spending millions lobbying against the bill. Over the weekend and after the Senate passed the legislation, the Buffalo News editorialized in favor of it, calling for passage of the bill with teeth.
Senate Passes Major Plastic Reduction Bill; Faith Leaders Urge Assembly to Follow Suit and Put People Over Plastic
Yesterday, the New York State Senate voted 33-25 to pass the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (S1464 Harckham/A1749 Glick). Today, 130 faith leaders from across New York sent a letter to the New York State Assembly urging them to pass the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (S1464 Harckham/A1749 Glick).
BREAKING: New York State Legislature Passes Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act!
The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act Reduces Single-Use Plastic Packaging by 30%, Bans 17 of the Most Toxic Chemicals and Materials in Packaging, and Saves Taxpayers $1.3 Billion. Attention Now Shifts to Assembly