Beyond Plastics

10/21/2026

Individual choices alone won't solve plastic pollution. We need policies, programs, and systems that stop plastic waste at the source.

That takes people who understand how government works, how public decisions get made, and how to turn community concern into action.

Our free, two-hour Beyond Plastics Grassroots Advocacy Training will help you build those skills, identify opportunities in your community, and become part of a growing national movement for change.

Join us November 7, or 10, or 12.
Let's build the grassroots power needed to stop plastic pollution at the source.

Register: www.beyondplastics.org/trainings

10/16/2026

Wherever you live, you have a role to play in stopping plastic pollution at the source.

Civics is at the heart of effective grassroots advocacy. Understanding how government works, how decisions are made, and how to engage in the public process helps us identify opportunities to make change happen.

Our free, two-hour Beyond Plastics Grassroots Advocacy Training will help you explore opportunities in your own community, build your advocacy skills, and connect with a growing national network of people working to stop plastic pollution.

Join us November 7, or 10, or 12.
Learn how to turn concern into action.

Register: www.beyondplastics.org/trainings

10/15/2026

We tried recycling one of ’ “recyclable” plastic cups in a Queens store. Did it actually get recycled? No. It went straight to this incinerator in Westchester, NY.

Tell Starbucks to ditch the plastic: actionnetwork.org/petitions/starbucks-cups

10/14/2026

Tell LA28: Don’t Waste the Games

The 2028 Olympics and Paralympic Games will bring millions of visitors to Los Angeles and, without a commitment to protecting the environment, could also generate millions of disposable cups, bottles, and other throw away items.

We’re calling on LA28 and its sponsors, partners, and venues to make waste reduction and reuse a foundation of the Games by using reusable cups and foodware, expanding water refill stations, and encouraging athletes and spectators to bring their own reusable bottles.

Add your name to the petition at dontwastethegames.org

10/12/2026

Thank you to the hundreds of people across the country who showed up and called on Starbucks to ditch the plastic.

We worked on 22 demonstrations at Starbucks stores in 11 states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington.

We called on Starbucks to do 3 things:
Stop lying about recycling their millions of plastic cups
Switch from plastic to fiber-based cups for to-go orders
Serve customers in reusable ceramic mugs and glasses for in store orders.

We are grateful to everyone who showed up and grateful to be in community with you.

10/12/2026

Join Judith Enck, Beyond Plastics president and author of The Problem with Plastic, for a free book talk on Friday, November 20 at 7 pm The Sanctuary for Independent Media in Troy, NY.

Judith and Shaunty M of Golden Leaf Books will discuss The Problem with Plastic and how a bill becomes a law.

Books will be available for sale, and Judith will sign books following the conversation.

The event is free, but please register in advance at mediasanctuary.org/event/judith-enck-on-plastics

Thanks to our friends at the Sanctuary for Independent Media for hosting this book event.

10/08/2026

Want to attend the virtual National Zero Waste Conference on October 21–22, 2026, hosted by Zero Waste USA?

Beyond Plastics supporters get a discounted rate of $50! Use this link to register at the discounted rate: events.humanitix.com/nzwc2026?accesscode=NZWCNGO2026

We're especially excited for the session, "Plastic: Policies, Pitfalls, and Particles" where you'll glean insights and solutions for your community on how to tackle the challenges of extender producer responsibility, bioplastics, and microplastic pollution at construction sites. We are excited that Brian Thompson will present at this online conference on behalf of Beyond Plastics.

10/07/2026

A new study looked at the toxicity of the chemicals used in everyday plastic items, focusing on food-contact plastics, textiles, toys, household items, and hygiene and medical items.

It found that the “majority of chemicals (79%) in the five use categories analysed lacked relevant data to assess human health toxicity, risk of exposure, or both.”

Of the chemicals that had relevant data, over 90% were considered hazardous, potentially linked to cancer, genetic changes, and endocrine, reproductive and organ toxicity.

Our elected officials have failed to regulate Big Plastic, putting our bodies and health at risk.

Environmental Justice Foundation

10/06/2026

We sense a trend with this company

apnews.com/article/starbucks-sugar-free-protein-drinks-coffee-beverages-9c1c76cc3d5dc712f76a8bfbd4493459

Starbucks is facing a consumer lawsuit over claims that the protein drinks labeled as “sugar-free” on its cafe menus may actually contain more sugar than a Reese’s peanut butter cup.

10/06/2026

On Sunday, environmentalists gathered in Albany to urge Starbucks to stop lying about plastics recycling.

Beyond Plastics founder Judith Enck spoke with Spectrum News NY1 about our Starbucks plastic cup recycling investigation, which exposed that none of Starbucks’ plastic cups were confirmed to have been recycled.

“One of the cups went from New York City to the Westchester County garbage incinerator on the Hudson River in Peekskill.

Another cup went all the way to Alabama to a landfill.

Some went to landfills in the Midwest from New York City.

So we're really concerned that Starbucks is lying to its customers. So we are involved in 22 demonstrations at Starbucks in 11 states around the country this weekend and next.”

spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/rochester/news/2026/10/04/protesters-across-new-york-call-out-starbucks-over-plastic-recycling-claims-following-investigation



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