Dear John,

It’s time for a round-up of our latest news from May. Here’s what’s happening:

Coming up on June 4 in honor of World Oceans Day, Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC) will host our June Webinar, Sea Change: Advancing a Strong UN Plastics Treaty. This important conversation with leading scientists, advocates, and policy experts will explore the path to a strong United Nations Global Plastics Treaty, with a special focus on how the treaty could impact the world’s oceans. You won’t want to miss it—register here.

“Blue Mind” is a term created by marine biologist and author Dr. Wallace J Nichols to describe the cognitive and emotional benefits of water. This year, join us for the 12th annual 100 Days of Blue campaign, which began on Memorial Day, with the simple goal to get near, in, on, or under water daily, and share on social using the hashtag #bluemind. Be sure to check out this list of 100+ ways to practice Blue Mind.

We recently published Plastic and the Rise of Autoimmune Disease, an eye-opening first-person account and call to action from our own Campaign Coordinator, Sofia Johansson. A growing body of research has connected the surging plastic and toxic chemicals in our environment and bodies to the worsening burden of chronic disease.

In recent news, PepsiCo followed Coca-Cola’s recent terrible example and abandoned its reduction and recycling goals. On May 22, PepsiCo announced on its website that it will be eliminating its reusable packaging targets, while significantly dropping its goals to reduce virgin (new) plastic and recycled content. Learn more in our latest blog. 

A nationwide recall of nearly 18,000 ice cream and frozen yogurt products has been issued across the U.S. due to potential plastic contamination. The recall affects Iowa-based manufacturer Wells Enterprises, which supplies ice cream and frozen yogurt products for 22 different brands, including Blue Bunny, Bomb Pops, and Halo Top. Read more here.

At Plastic Pollution Coalition, we’re always working to tell the truth about plastic pollution and advance solutions. Thank you for standing with us.

Onward,

Jen Fela
Vice President, Programs & Communications
Plastic Pollution Coalition

P.S. Please consider supporting us – every bit counts and helps fund our critical work.

★ Plastic-Free Gardening Tips
In the northern hemisphere, it’s time to start your summer garden. We collected our top plastic-free tips in time for planting season. Read more.

★ Plastic and the Rise of Autoimmune Disease
Research is just beginning to expose the amount of plastic in our bodies. But with all the new studies emerging, we need to be ringing the emergency bells even louder on this public health crisis. Read the latest from PPC Campaign Coordinator, Sofia Johansson. Read more.

★ Horror Movies That Ditch Deadly Plastic
Three recent horror films—Smile 2, Heretic, and Hell of a Summer—give us examples of how reusable alternatives to single-use plastic, as well as plastic-free dialogue, help keep movies green and add more depth to storytelling. Read more.

★ Plastics in Dentistry: The Current Reality and Plastic-Free Solutions
Plastics’ widespread use directly in our mouths raises significant concerns about the impact on our health, as well as harm to the environment. We explore the current state of plastic use in dentistry and examine plastic-free alternatives for maintaining our oral health. Read more.

➤ Find more Latest News on our website.

★ Plastic-Free Goods
While we can’t always avoid plastics and plastic chemicals, making changes in your own life to eliminate plastic can help reduce your exposure. First, we encourage you to Buy Nothing, but in case you do need to purchase something, we invite you to visit the new collection of PPC Business Member brands on the DoneGood marketplace and use the code PPC15 to get $15 off your purchase of $100 or more. If you enter the marketplace through this link, it will automatically apply the discount code to your cart. You can also purchase PPC-branded items at Life Without Plastic and Pirani.

★ PPC June Webinar: Sea Change: Advancing a Strong UN Plastics Treaty
On Wednesday, June 4, in honor of World Oceans Day, we’ll host a timely conversation with leading scientists, advocates, and policy experts on the path to a strong United Nations Global Plastics Treaty, with a special focus on how the treaty may affect the world’s oceans. The next Plastics Treaty negotiating round is set for August in Geneva, Switzerland, just after the UN Ocean Conference in late June in Nice, France. This timely webinar will explore what’s at stake in the treaty negotiations, the barriers to progress, and what world leaders must do to protect the oceans from plastics and other harms. Joining the discussion will be: Christopher Chin, Founder and Executive Director, COARE; Graham Forbes, Global Plastics Campaign Lead, Greenpeace; and Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš, Founder and Executive Director, Azul. The webinar will be moderated by Kathryn Nelson, Plastic Free Mermaid. Sign up.

★ Hollywood Climate Summit in Los Angeles, CA, June 2–4
Plastic Pollution Coalition is excited to be a community partner for the 2025 Hollywood Climate Summit (HCS), and we want to invite you to attend! HCS isn't just another climate conference—it's an entertainment-forward networking and learning experience with special focuses on storytelling and strategy across sectors like film, TV, gaming, marketing, music, and journalism. Because PPC is a partner of the summit, our community gets a special 50% discount on tickets and passes with code: PARTNERHCS25 Secure your tickets.

★ Plastic Kills… Again! Short Film Contest 
PPC has teamed up with Earth Angel for a second round of our popular Plastic Kills short film contest. We’re challenging filmmakers to create original horror short films that highlight the terrors of plastic pollution with a grand prize of $3,000. Submissions will be open July 1–September 15, 2025. Learn more. 

★ Bahamas Plastic Movement’s Free Manual
The Plastic Pollution Education & Ocean Conservation Summer Camp Training Manual is a free, comprehensive guide designed for teachers, environmental organizations, and schools to educate, inspire, and activate youth in the fight against plastic pollution. Get the manual.

➤ Visit our website for more Resources, Events, and Ways to Take Action.