U.S. EPA
TRASH
FREE
WATERS
EPA-842-N-24-001
April 2024
THE FLOW OF.. .TRASH FREE WATERS
ISSUE 19
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Earth Month Reflections 1
WWF Hosts Second Plastic
Policy Summit 2
R6-EPA Collaborates with
University of Southern
Mississippi on STEM Survey 4
R1- Updates from the Mystic River
Watershed Association's Trash
Free Mystic 5
Floatables Characterization at
Two Flood Control Pump Stations:
Updates from the Puerto Rico
Integration Trash Free
Waters Project ....6
The Plastic Predicament in
National Parks: Insights from
5 Gyres' Plastic-Free
Parks Project 7
Upstream Reuse for Onsite
Dining Library 9
UCSB & Berkeley Global Plastic
Policy Tooi 9
In The News 9
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HOW S IT FLOWING?
Earth Month Reflections: How the Trash Issue Helped Ignite
the Environmental Movement
April is Earth Month, an important
month for those of us who work
in environmental restoration and
protection to reflect on what we
do and why we do it. Starting
from the first Earth Day on April
22,1970, this annual observance
eventually grew into a fuii month
of recognition about the need to
protect the environment. The
attention that Earth Day brought
to the need to protect the
environment helped set the stage
for the creation of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
in December 1970.
Trash Issues & Clean-ups for
Inaugural Earth Day
Months prior to April 22,1970,
experts and volunteers alike met
in Washington, DC, to plan
events across the country for the
first Earth Day. Many of these
events were centered around the
problem of trash in the environ-
ment. From garbage dump visits
in Irvine, California, to roadside
litter clean-ups in Hohokus, New
Jersey, people across the
country took action to address
the trash problem in a meaning-
ful way. In the decades since
that first Earth Day, environmen-
tal science and policy have both
made significant strides, ieading
to more informed decision-
making and improved infrastruc-
ture to address the problem of
trash in the environment.
In 2024, trash—especially plastic
waste—remains a threat to our
environment, including to our
aquatic ecosystems and to
human health. Although we
,4 girl scout pulls trash from the Potomac River at an Earth Day event in
April 7 970. University of California, Irvine students visit a garbage dump
on the first Earth Day with signs saying, "Recognize the polluter,
Recognize ourselves."
continue to build awareness and
community through organized
trash cleanup events, the need
for increased and improved
upstream interventions remains
to effectively solve the problem.
Significantly lowering the
consumption of single-use
plastics, working with the
private sector on improving
cradle-to-grave environmental
stewardship of their products,
reducing packaging volumes
and many other interventions
are needed to keep trash out
of our environment.
(continued on p.2)
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APRIL 2024 - ISSUE 19 THE FLOW OF...TRASH FREE WATERS
HOW'S IT FLOWING?
(continued from p. 1)
Trash is an Environmental
Justice Issue
On April 3,1968—the day
before he was assassinated—
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave
a speech in support of the
striking sanitation workers at
Mason Temple in Memphis,
Tennessee, in which he called
for the need for the city to be
"fair and honest" with those
workers. Dr. King's speech is
the first event recognized by
the EPA to start the Environ-
mental Justice Timeline.
Trash itself is an environmental
justice issue as trash in the
environment disproportionately
affects disadvantaged commu-
nities, who typically do not have
the resources to adequately
address the problem. Plastic is
the material of highest concern
in our trash stream, and the
environmentally detrimental
effects of plastic production
have been especially impactful
on the health of poor and
minority communities.
As we celebrate Earth Day and
Earth Month this year, we
should all remember and
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaks on behalf of striking sanitation workers at Mason Temple in Memphis,
Tenn., March 18,1968.
acknowledge the painstaking environment. Look for ways to about initiatives to combat
efforts of those who have get involved in your community trash and plastic waste in
steadfastly worked to address this month and check out our environment,
the problem oftrash in our EarthDay.ora to learn more
WORLD WILDLIFE FOUNDATION PLASTIC POLICY SUMMIT
WWF Hosts Second Plastic Policy Summit
WWF recently hosted their second Plastic
Policy Summit, bringing together over 300
policymakers, businesses, NGOs, academ-
ics and activists. Building on last year's
Summit, the event engaged stakeholders
on efforts to reduce harm from plastic
production and pollution, accelerate
coordinated action, and implement and
scale successful initiatives.
The Summit's plenary sessions demonstrat-
ed a universal commitment to acting on
piastic pollution across ail stakeholder
groups. WWF announced public polling
results showing that 85% of Americans
want immediate political action to address
piastic pollution. Senator Whitehouse
echoed these sentiments in his keynote
speech, advocating for congressional and
administration leadership. The Coca-Cola
Company and Mars, Inc. urged action on an
ambitious, legally binding global plastics
agreement that addresses the entire
lifecvcle of plastics. Leaders across
sectors—including the EPA's own Karissa
Kovner, standing in for Deputy Assistant
Administrator Jennie Romer—shared
progress made since the last Summit and
(continued on p.3)
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THE FLOW OF...TRASH FREE WATERS APRIL 2024 - ISSUE 19
(continued from p.2)
explained why they feel hopeful about
collectively addressing plastic pollution.
Environmental justice leaders from RISE St.
James. Beyond Petrochemicals, and Azul
called for stakeholders to reduce produc-
tion, invest in safer alternatives, improve
community education and ensure that
fence iine communities are consulted and
included in all decision-making.
Through 12. breakout sessions, speakers
and attendees dug into specific path-
ways to address plastic pollution. These
conversations considered how to decrease
harm from existing production and use of
plastic, optimize product design, and build
support for effective legislation at the
local, state and federal levels. Attendees
workshopped policy modeling scenarios,
built connections to overcome capacity
gaps, and brainstormed how to scale
reuse and reduction initiatives. Key
themes from the breakouts include:
1. Additional data and research are
important, but we already know enough
to act now. New evidence about plastics'
impacts on human rights, human health,
wildlife and the environment—as well as
the impacts of plastic alternatives—is
being published regularly, but we cannot
afford to wait until we have every
potential data point. Immediate action is
both necessary and justified with the
existing data.
2. While there is no silver bullet solution,
many successful legislative and
voluntary efforts can already be
replicated and scaled. State policy
efforts should be used as a foundation
for new legislation, existing federal
authorities can be activated to address
the problem, and closed loop systems
provide replicable models to cut plastic
use and shift to reuse. Product redesign,
paired with systems change, can reduce
problematic materials in circulation,
enable reuse and improve recyclability.
3. Collaboration, coordination and public
engagement are all vital to addressing
the plastic pollution crisis. All stakehold-
ers have a role to play in addressing
Clockwise from top left: Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island was spotlighted as a
Congressional Champion; attendees packed breakout rooms and engaged in discussion with
peers and presenters; and panelists on the compelling "Centering Justice" plenary session
included Reverend Yearwood (left), Shamyra Lavigne (center left), Sharon Levigne-
Davey (center right), and Roland Gonzalez Pizarro (right).
plastic production and pollution, and
these groups must work closely together
to scale successful initiatives and
minimize duplication of efforts. Public
buy-in will be critical, and initiatives
should strive to include community
education, engagement, and empower-
ment—particularly bringing in underrepre-
sented and fence line communities who
are disproportionately harmed by plastic
production and pollution.
To learn more, review this year's slides and
resources and last year's Outcomes and
Actions report which details immediate
opportunities to decrease plastic pollution.
For more information or to receive this
year's summary, please reach out to Will
Gartshore (will.aartshore@wwfus.ora).
—Meredith Soward
PLASTIC P-VLlCY SUMMIT
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APRIL 2024 -
ISSUE 19
THE FLOW OF...TRASH FREE WATERS
REGIONAL PROJECT SUCCESS STORIES
R6—EPA Collaborates with University of Southern Mississippi on STEM Survey
The EPA's Gulf of Mexico Division has been
collaborating with the University of South-
ern Mississippi on a science, technology,
engineering and math outreach project that
allows students to embark on a week-long
science survey of the Gulf of Mexico. This
immersive experience provides students
with hands-on exposure to methodologies
and techniques in the field of microbiology,
marine biology, coastal ecology, oceanogra-
phy, statistics and applied science. While on
board of the USM's research vessel, the
Point Sur, students work and learn along-
side EPA scientists from a range of
disciplines. The program also serves as a
fruitful networking experience for students
interested in marine research.
The STEM survey operates on a biannual
basis since the inaugural trip in the summer
of 2022, sending cohorts out every summer
and winter session. Whiie no two survey
trips are the same, the week at sea for
students includes basic elements that
ground both the work and the lived experi-
ence. Students engage in lectures from EPA
scientists and guided lab work as they
would in a regular semester. As student
researchers, they are also tasked with
creating and facilitating independent
research projects based on their experienc-
es on the vessel.
During the weeklong survey trip, students
visit a variety of near- and offshore sites in
the eastern Gulf of Mexico. At these sites,
students gain unique hands-on experience
using techniques and equipment not readily
available in a classroom setting. Some
survey activities include deploying a
conductivity, temperature, and depth
instrument to collect water quality data.
Other experiments involve collecting water
samples at various depths for microplastic,
bacterial and nutrient analysis in the lab. In
addition, students deploy a manta net
device for sea surface sampling of micro-
plastics and planktons. Between collecting
and analyzing samples, students conduct
field surveys for marine mammals. Since
the inception of the STEM Survey, students
aboard the research vessel have observed
a variety of marine mammals such as the
common bottle nose dolphins, spinner
dolphins and a sperm whale.
The EPA and USM collaboration on the
STEM Survey is a testament to the power
of hands-on learning. Through their
commitment to the program, students gain
exclusive access to research focused on
the complex ecosystems of the Gulf of
Mexico. The EPA Gulf of Mexico Division is
hoping to expand the STEM Survey by
working with EPA Region 6. This expansion
is aimed at engaging underserved stu-
dents in Texas or Louisiana, exposing
them to the opportunities in the field of
marine research.
-Huy Vu, Ph.D.
USM students receiving hands-on experience aboard the Point Sur deploying a manta net to
collect surface microplastics (top) and counting and identifying microplastic particles as
part of the STEM Survey (bottom).
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THE FLOW OF...TRASH FREE WATERS
APRIL 2024 -
ISSUE 19
REGIONAL PROJECT SUCCESS STORIES
R1- Updates from the Mystic River Watershed Association's Trash Free Mystic
The Mystic River Watershed Association
(MyRWA), in collaboration with the EPA's
Trash Free Waters Program, hosted three
on-line workshops in 2021 to discuss
reducing the harmful inflow of trash into the
Mystic River and its tributaries. The goal of
the sessions was to develop a shared
trash-reduction campaign in the watershed.
Participants included local municipal staff,
community leaders, local nonprofit organi-
zations, and volunteers, and the group
identified both structural and non-structural
paths forward. Born from the efforts of
these workshops, MyRWA has been busy
working on existing projects and planning
for what's to come for combating trash in
their communities and waterways.
Trash Assessment
To gather data on the origins of trash
introduced through stormwater, MyRWA
used the Visual Trash Assessment protocol
in four cities around the watershed. The
program assigned volunteers specific
routes to evaluate trash on city streets
according to a rubric for trash levels. Land
use types were then overlaid using GIS to
identify patterns.
Consistently across three surveys, findings
showed that industrial, multi-family
residential and commercial areas had
higher trash levels than standard residential
neighborhoods. A 2022 assessment
revealed that commercial areas near
fast-food establishments had a higher trash
density than those without. Additionally,
street segments that had public trash cans
had less trash on streets than areas without
trash cans. MyRWA plans to use this data
to work with municipalities to inform policy
changes and focus future intensive street
sweeping efforts in land use types with
higher trash levels.
Storm Drain Stewardship Program
Directly inspired by the Trash Free Waters
workshops, MyRWA applied for and
received a $30,000 grant from the Massa-
chusetts Department of Environmental
Protection's MS4 (Municipal Separate
Storm Sewer System) Municipal Assistance
Grant Program to implement a storm drain
stewardship program watershed wide. This
Adopt-a-Drain program was offered to the
members of the Mystic Stormwater
Collaborative, a group of towns and cities in
the watershed dedicated to the common
goal of reducing stormwater pollution under
MS4 requirements.
Using an already existing platform, the
project created Adopt-a-Drain web portals
in 12 municipalities, where residents can
sign up for, and even give names to, storm
drains they pledge to inspect and remove
debris from. The goal of obtaining this buy
in from the residents is increased public
education and engagement in local water
infrastructure issues. MyRWA assisted
cities and towns by creating marketing and
outreach materials that help publicize the
project and educate residents on stormwa-
ter management issues. MyRWA also
works with software developers to maintain
the municipal databases and a water-
shed-wide map.
As of March 2024, the program has 838
residents claiming 1126 drains throughout
the Watershed. The program received
notable media coverage in The Boston
Globe. The Somerville Times, and the
Flarvard Crimson.
Next Steps and Exploring Tangible
Projects
In the past three years, the Trash Free
Mystic team has been engaged in various
feasibility analyses. These analyses aimed
to assess the technical, financial and
political viability of implementing tangible
trash projects within the Mystic River
The map shows the 72 municipalities of the
Mystic Stormwater Collaborative, highlighted
in blue, involved in the program. In these
areas, residents pledge to "adopt" and
monitor local drains.
Watershed. Such projects included the
installation of inlet guards, increasing the
number of public trash cans and enhancing
street sweeping efforts.
MyRWA is currently seeking support for
measures including the installation of
hydration stations in parks and greenways;
a source-reduction strategy; pilot programs
aimed at identifying gaps in municipal trash
management systems; and partnering with
a local research lab on a sampling and
education project around tire wear parti-
cles—a major, unregulated source of
aquatic microplastics in urban areas.
Working in a 76 square-mile watershed with
22 municipalities, MyRWA has realized is
that each city and town brings a different
set of challenges and strengths to the
problem of keeping trash out of waterways.
This realization underscores the need for
tailored approaches to effectively tackle
trash-related issues at the local level.
—Sushant Bajracharya
¦ Active Community
Additional Mystic
Watershed Comunity
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APRIL 2024 -
ISSUE 19
THE FLOW OF...TRASH FREE WATERS
REGIONAL PROJECT SUCCESS STORIES
Floatables Characterization at Two Flood Control Pump Stations:
Updates from the Puerto Rico Integration Trash Free Waters Project
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Map of Puerto Rico showing the two Flood Control Pump Stations locations at San Fernando and
Pichingo, highlighted by the yellow pins.
The Trash Free Waters program
awarded $25,000 in grant
funding to University of Puerto
Rico-Mayaguez to support a
pilot study of floatables at two
Flood Control Pump Stations
operated by the Puerto Rico
Department of Natural and
Environmental Resources.
Aimed at supporting areas with
heightened trash problems and
infrastructure needs, the
installation sites selected were
focused in two communities
with environmental justice
concerns. To compare trash
transport mechanisms in
rainy-North and dry-South
areas, pumps were placed at
San Fernando in Catano near
San Juan Bay and Pichingo
pump station in Salinas. Data
were collected at both pump
locations to inform the study
looking to organize mitigation
focus and identify pollution
sources. The study was
completed in December 2023
and results have shed light on
questions surrounding impact
of rain and urban density, as
well as types of materials,
sources of debris and frequen-
cy of plastic versus other
materials making their way
into the pumps.
Sampling Methodology
Citizen science was incorporat-
ed by involving students and
volunteers into the sampling
process. They were trained on
methodology and safety
protocols before sampling,
which involved counting and
classifying each individual piece
of trash removed from the
pump. The classification was
broken down by categories
such as pieces of paper,
disposable food utensils, and
lids and grip rings at Pichingo.
Similarly, at the San Fernando
station, items were organized
into classes such as plastic,
cardboard and polyester. This
study was carried out from
September 7, 2022, to May 30,
2023, at Flood Control Pump
Stations in San Fernando and
from October 12, 2022, to
November 28, 2023, in Pichingo.
Findings of the Study
Eighteen total sampling
sessions were carried out over
the timeline of the project at the
San Fernando Flood Control
Pump Stations. Items with the
highest presence were straws
(81 units/17.4% of trash),
uncooked food packaging (57
units/12.2% of trash), plastic
pieces (45 units/9.7% of trash),
"ready to eat" food packaging
(44 units/9.4% of trash), and
cigarette filters (40 units/8.6%
of trash). Items found in the
samples were overwhelmingly
made from plastic versus other
materials, in this area, the study
found that trash gained access
to the stormwater system via
poorly maintained inlet grates.
The study also looked at
demographic variables to try to
paint a fuli picture of factors
leading to trash in the drains. At
this location, researchers
determined the service area as
100% high-density urban with
low-and middle-class housing.
Twenty sampling sessions took
piace at the Pichingo Fiood
Control Pump Station in Salinas,
resulting in different findings to
those in the North. The items
found most often from sam-
pling there were: pieces of
polystyrene (169 units/22.8% of
trash), pieces of wood (101
units/13.6% of trash), bottles
(78 units/12.1% of trash),
pieces of plastic (44
units/10.5% of trash), and cups
(58 units/7.8% of trash). In
contrast to the San Fernando
service area, the Pichingo
service area is low- to mid-
dle-density urban. Housing in
this area is also mostly lower-
and middle-income. Here, trash
was found to be coming mostly
from the drainage channel and
trash dumped directly into the
channel. Pichingo trash was
primarily plastic as well, putting
a spotlight on the intensity of
plastic pollution overall.
Conclusions of the Puerto
Rico Floatables
Characterization Study
After finalizing the study this
past December, some major
conclusions have been made
around contributing factors to
trash ending up in pump
stations. A few weeks later, the
EPA and NOAA hosted a
workshop at the Department of
Natural and Environmental Re-
sources in Puerto Rico on
January 17-19, 2024. The
workshop aimed to assess the
progress in implementing the
2023-2028 Strategic Pian to
Reduce Aquatic Debris in
(continued on p. 7)
6
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THE FLOW OF,..TRASH FREE WATERS
APRIL 2024 -
ISSUE 19
REGIONAL PROJECT SUCCESS STORIES
Photos from the samplina process at San Fernando on March 20, 2023 (left) and Pichinqo on October
24, 2023 (right).
(continued from p.6)
Puerto Rico. Key stakeholders,
including local government
agencies, NGOs, and academia,
actively participated. The first
day focused on reviewing ac-
tions completed in 2023 and
lessons learned. The second
day focused on ongoing
actions, new actions for 2024
and identifying potential
resources. The third day
featured a hands-on training
session on this Marine Debris
Monitoring and Assessment
projects at the San Fernando
and Pichingo pump locations.
During the workshop, the EPA
provided a presentation about
these findings and conclusions
of the Puerto Rico Integration
TFW Project, and a full report
on the trash characterization
project was published by the
University of Puerto Rico in Aprii
2024 In addition to the da-
ta-specific findings, conclusions
highlight that advancing the
implementation of the strategy
continues to be challenging due
to limited funding and lack of
public awareness of funding
and informational resources. To
enhance awareness of available
resources, the EPA Caribbean
Office hosted the first Federal
Grant Summit for Puerto Rico
on February 9, 2024.
—Evelyn Huertas
NEW AND FORTHCOMING RESOURCES & PUBLICATIONS
The Plastic Predicament in National Parks: Insights from 5 Gyres'
Plastic-Free Parks Project
In the realm of environmental
stewardship, few places hold as
much significance as our
national parks. These vast
expanses of natural beauty
have long been sanctuaries for
wildlife, havens for outdoor
enthusiasts, and classrooms for
environmental education.
However, even these pristine
landscapes are not immune to
the scourge of plastic pollution.
A History of Progress and
Setbacks
The National Park Service has a
storied history of addressing
environmental challenges
within the 63 designated
national parks. In 2011, 22
parks implemented an optional
phase-out of the sale of
single-use plastic water bottles.
This initiative yielded remark-
able results, eliminating millions
of plastic bottles and signifi-
cantly reducing plastic waste.
This progress was reversed in
2017 by a change in policy,
underscoring the possibility of
changes in administration
priorities and the role that
statutory protections can piay.
(continued on p.8)
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APRIL 2024 - ISSUE 1 9
THE FLOW OF...TRASH FREE WATERS
NEW AND FORTHCOMING RESOURCES & PUBLICATIONS
(continued from p. 7)
In response to this setback, 5 Gyres joined
forces with partners to push for renewed
efforts to address plastic pollution in
national parks. Their collective efforts were
successful in 2022 with the Department of
the Interior's Secretarial Order 3407, which
instructed the National Park Service to
phase out the sale of single-use plastics
across all park service units and federal
lands within a 10-year time frame.
Community Science in Action
Armed with this newfound momentum,
5 Gyres launched the Plastic-Free Parks
TrashBlitz initiative to assess the scope
of plastic pollution trends within national
parks and federal lands. This volun-
teer-driven endeavor aimed to crowd-
source data on the items, materials and
brands of trash present in national parks
and federal lands across the country to
lay the groundwork for informed policy
decisions and localized solutions.
In 2023, TrashBlitz brought together
hundreds of volunteers who conducted
data collection and cleanup efforts at
over 30 national park locations. From the
iconic Yosemite National Park to the
marshy landscapes of Assateague Island
National Seashore, dedicated volunteers
scoured these landscapes and uploaded
their waste findings into the TrashBlitz
research platform. The new TrashBlitz app
enabled volunteers to track the coordi-
nates of each piece of trash without
access to cell service.
Insights Unveiled: Key Findings
The findings from TrashBlitz paint a
sobering picture of single-use plastic
pollution trends in our national parks:
• Plastic accounted for 66% of all
identifiable waste collected during
the audits.
• The top 10 identifiable items were all
single-use products, ranging from food
wrappers to beverage containers.
• Broken plastic pieces, though not
included in the items chart, constituted
25% of the total study, highlighting the
insidious nature of plastic fragmenta-
tion in the environment.
Delving deeper into the data, TrashBlitz
identified not only the brands, but also the
top parent corporations responsible for
producing the most prevalent plastic items
found in national parks. Corporations like
Philip Morris International and PepsiCo Inc.
emerged as major contributors to plastic
pollution, with their products found to be
frequently littering park landscapes.
Turning Data into Action:
Recommendations for Change
Armed with these insights, 5 Gyres and
TrashBlitz partners put forth a series of
recommendations aimed at addressing
plastic pollution in national parks. These
recommendations include:
• Urging the passage of legislation to
reduce single-use plastics, including
The Reducing Waste in National
Parks Act.
• Increasing access to water refill stations
and promoting reusable alternatives.
• Implementing reusable dining options
to reduce food ware waste.
• Expanding waste audits across the
National Park Service to inform targeted
interventions.
A Call to Action
The Plastic-Free Parks TrashBlitz report
serves as a canary in the coal mine to
highlight waste trends in parks and a
barometer to understand the most preva-
lent types of harmful plastics. It under-
scores the urgent need for collective efforts
to safeguard our national parks from the
scourge of plastic pollution. As stewards of
these natural treasures, it falls upon us to
heed this call, to advocate for change, and
to ensure that future generations inherit a
world free from plastic pollution. In the
words of Dr. Win Cowger, Research Director
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THE FLOW OF...TRASH FREE WATERS
APRIL 2024 - ISSUE 1 9
NEW AND FORTHCOMING RESOURCES & PUBLICATIONS
Upstream Reuse for Onsite
Dining Library
Reuse is an important part of the solution
for the trash-in-waterways problem. The
non-governmental organization Upstream
has created a Reuse for Onsite Dining
Library. The library includes resources
allows users to organize content based
on target audience, type of resource and
age of listing.
This resource will allow advocates for
reusable foodware to access a plethora of
factsheets and toolkits, model policies,
case studies, trackers and more to launch
or reinforce their reuse efforts.
^ Upstream
We heart reuse.
Reuse for Onsite
Dining Library
Look for the Reuse Library on Upstream's
website/
UCSB & Berkeley Global Plastic Policy Tool
Global Plastics Al Policy Tool
Countries are exploring ways to reduce the impact of plastic. This tool explores different policy interventions both regionally and globally.
|* Overview "j Details Settings Downloads Guide About Contents
Overview Showing Plastic Mismanaged Waste
Million Metric Tons.
Global 2050 Plastics Projections
Mismanaged Waste 0
121.5
Million Metric Tons
Incinerated Waste 0
176.8
Million Metric Tons
o
Landfill Waste 0
252.3
Million Metric Tons
GHG (Experimental) 0
3278.2
Million Metric Tons
Global Annual Rate of Mismanaged Waste as Million Metric Tons 0
O I 60 > % Reduced Single Use Packaging 0
~ I 60 > % Reduced Additives 0
Part of the tool's user interface, which can be found in its entirety at global-plastics-tool.org.
Dr. Doug McCauley from University of California, Santa Barbara and his team have
developed a Global Plastic Policy Tool. The tool is an open-source, interactive model
where users can explore regionalized data about the production, use and fate of
plastic and the effectiveness of potential policies world leaders can potentially use to
greatly reduce plastic pollution. Users can see the combined effects of possible
policies as well.
The tool harnesses a novel integration of artificial intelligence in policy impact forecast-
ing for the plastics system and has the potential to focus policymaking on those
interventions that have the greatest potential impact.
IN THE NEWS
Update to the TFW Webinar Series "Plastics & Climate" on April 4
Trash Free Waters hosted a conversation
on Plastics & Climate: Exploring What We
Know, Impacts on Vulnerable Communities,
and How to Solve the Problem. The
webinar featured a panel discussion of
three speakers:
• Alice Zhu, PhD Candidate &Vanier
Scholar at the University of Toronto,
Co-Founder of Plastics & Climate Project
• Dr. John M. Doherty, Science and Policy
Analyst at Environmental Law Institute
• Margaret Spring, Chief Conservation
and Science Officer at Monterey
Bay Aquarium
The speakers provided their expertise to
explore the topic from different perspec-
tives. After an overview of available science
at the nexus of plastic and climate change,
the discussion moved to policy options
highlighting new and existing channels to
combat the issue through regulation. The
disproportionate impacts on disadvantaged
communities were explored and technical
solutions were offered by highlighting
opportunities to align plastic and climate
interventions. The conversation generated
numerous questions from the large number
of attendees.
Watch the recording and view slides on the
TFW Webinar homepage.
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APRIL 2024 -
ISSUE 19
THE FLOW OF...TRASH FREE WATERS
IN THE NEWS
Fourth Session of the Negotiations for an Internationally Legally Binding Instrument
on Plastic Pollution
During the United Nations Environment Assembly in March 2022, a
historic decision was reached to pursue a legaily binding commit-
ment to reduce plastic pollution by countries across the globe. The
Intergovernmental Negotiating Council was created and tasked
with generating the tool and bringing together world leaders in
policy and science to find common ground for compromise and
agreement. The INC has met three times already, with the most
recent being in Nairobi, Kenya, from November 13-19, 2023.
The fourth negotiating session was held in Ottawa, Canada, from
April 23-29, 2024. The recordings of previous sessions and the
forthcoming recordings for the fourth negotiating session (when
they become available) will be posted on UNEP's webcast page.
Additionally, provisional agendas, rules, and a revised draft text of
the treaty can be accessed on the official documents page.
NC-3 convened at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
EPA Begins Process to Prioritize Five Chemicals for Risk Evaluation Under Toxic
Substances Control Act
The EPA announced in December 2023 that it would prioritize five
chemicals for risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control
Act (TSCA)'s 2014 Workplan. The press release provides context on
use of each chemical under review, listing all five as "probable
human carcinogens":
• Acetaldehyde (CASRN 75-07-0) is primarily used in the manu-
facturing and processing of adhesives, petrochemicals, and
other chemicals, as well as intermediates for products like
packaging and construction materials. Exposure to acetalde-
hyde may result in a range of health effects such as irritation of
the respiratory system.
• Acrylonitrile (CASRN 107-13-1) is primarily used in the manu-
facturing and processing of plastic materials, paints, petro-
chemicals and other chemicals. Exposure to acrylonitrile may
result in a range of health effects such as irritation of the
respiratory system.
• Benzenamine (CASRN 62-53-3) is used in the manufacturing
and processing of dyes and pigments, petrochemicals, plastics,
resins and other chemicals. Exposure to benzenamine may
result in a range of health effects such as adverse effects on
the blood, fetal development, and reproduction.
• 4,4'-Methylene bis (2-chloroaniline) (MBOCA) (CASRN
101 -14-4) is used in the manufacturing and processing of
rubbers, plastics, resins and other chemicals. There is
extensive data that demonstrate exposure to MBOCA may
damage genetic material in cells, potentially leading to other
adverse health effects, particularly when exposure occurs to
infants and children.
• Vinyl Chloride (CASRN 75-01 -4) is primarily used in the manu-
facturing and processing of plastic materials like polyvinyl
chloride (PVC), plastic resins, and other chemicals, many of
these materials are used for pipes, insulating materials, and
consumer goods. This chemical was also involved in the
Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
Exposure to vinyl chloride may result in a range of health
effects such as liver toxicity.
The comment period closed on March 18, 2024, and the EPA's
decisions on any designation of these five chemicals as High-
Priority Substances under TSCA are forthcoming.
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THE FLOW OF,..TRASH FREE WATERS APRIL 2024 - ISSUE lj
IN THE NEWS
Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works Hearing on Microplastics in Water
9
The panel featured testimony from three topical experts from around the United States.
Pictured here are Dr. Susanne Brander (left), Dr. Sherri Mason (middle), and Mr. Brent
Alspach (right).
The US Senate Committee on Environment
& Public Works held a hearing titled
"Understanding the Presence of Microplas-
tics in Water" on February 27, 2024. Led by
Chairman Tom Carper of Delaware, EPW's
work covers many environmental topics,
including water pollution. Given the large
and growing evidence related to the
prevalence and impacts of microplastics in
our waters and the need for continued
research and concerted action, EPW
decided to host this hearing. Experts in the
field provided testimony to the Subcom-
mittee on Chemical Safety, Waste Man-
agement, Environmental Justice and
Regulatory Oversight.
The panel consisted of three speakers:
Susanne M. Brander, Ph.D., Associate
Professor of Oregon State University,
College of Agricultural Sciences,
Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and
Conservation Sciences; Brent Alspach,
RE., Vice President and Director of Applied
Research at Arcadis; and Sherri A. Mason,
Ph.D., Director of Sustainability, Penn
State Behrend.
Dr. Brander provided insights on the value
of university-based research and highlight-
ed the latest information on the presence
of microplastics in drinking and wastewa-
ter, as well as impacts to human and
ecosystem health.
Mr. Alspach provided viewpoints from his
involvement in the American Water Works
Association and as Principal Investigator of
studies funded by the Water Research
Foundation: "Developing Strategic Consum-
er Messaging for Microplastics in Drinking
Water Supplies" and "Fate of Microplastics
in Drinking Water Treatment Plants." He
provided information about the widespread
prevalence of plastic in our natural and
manufactured environments, as well as the
need for congressional support for
developing standardized analytic methods
for microplastic study.
Dr. Mason spoke from her purview as a
chemist and one of the first scientists to
consider the plastic problem in freshwater.
Her suggestions were multifaceted: source
reduction and mitigation through various
pathways, including Extended Corporate
Responsibility, more commonly known as
"Extended Producer Responsibility", to
increase product recyclability and shift
away from the most harmful chemicals
associated with plastic production.
Major takeaways from the panelists
included:
• The need to implement Extended
Corporate Responsibility policies to
promote product recyclability, decrease
usage of the most hazardous plastics
and encourage smarter plastics;
• The importance of using the actions in
EPA's National Recycling Strategy to
help transition to a true, comprehensive
national waste management system;
> Supporting waste management
strategies such as improved recycling,
chemical simplification and moving
towards globally touted approaches for
circularity and safely and sustainably
designed materials and products; and
* The critical need for congressional
support for research on occurrence,
toxicity, and treatability of microplastics.
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APRIL 2024 -
ISSUE 19
THE FLOW OF...TRASH FREE WATERS
IN THE NEWS
Upgrades for PFAS Protection Efforts
Vice President Kamala Harris visits Pittsburgh, PA to announce
$5.8 billion for water infrastructure improvements.
Final PFAS National Primary
Drinking Water Regulation
Announced by the EPA
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroal-
kyl Substances, or PFAS, are
defined by the National
Institute of Fnvironmental
Health Sciences as a "large,
complex group of synthetic
chemicals that have been used
in consumer products around
the world since about the
1950s [as ingredients] in
various everyday products."
Because of their unique carbon
bonds, they take a long time to
breakdown in the environment
and cause lasting harm to
human health. The newly
adopted rule allow regulators
greater access to addressing
the harmful impacts of PFAS
to humans across the U.S.
"EPA finalized a National
Primary Drinking Water
Regulation (NPDWR) establish-
ing legally enforceable levels,
called Maximum Contaminant
Levels (MCLs), for six PFAS in
drinking water [and] expects
that over many years the final
rule will prevent PFAS exposure
in drinking water for approxi-
mately 100 million people,
prevent thousands of deaths,
and reduce tens of thousands
of serious PFAS-attributable
illnesses," the April 10th press
announcement from the EPA
stated. The rule has tiered
enforcement timelines, the
soonest being public water
systems monitoring and
reporting PFAS by 2027.
Along with the ruling, the EPA
announced a $1 Billion
commitment of B 1. funding
allocation to PFAS testing and
treatment for both public and
private water systems, See the
full rule announcement on
EPAs website.
Historic Commitments to
Clean Water
In February, Vice President
Harris and EPA Administrator
Michael S. Regan traveled to
Pittsburgh to announce the
$5.8 billion commitment from
the Biden Administration's
Investing in America agenda.
This historic funding is slated
for investments in drinking
water and clean water
infrastructure upgrades. Just a
slice of the over $50 billion
allocated for water infra-
structure, this funding has
been rolling out to states,
Tribes and territories for
much needed improvements
and expansions.
Vice President Harris highlight-
ed the need for such improve-
ments in communities across
the country dealing with a
variety of challenges, especial-
ly lead pipes. "With this
investment, we are continuing
our urgent work to remove
every lead pipe in the country
and ensure that every Ameri-
can has access to safe and
reliable drinking water," she
said in her remarks.
The investment will come
through the Clean Water and
Drinking Water State Revolving
Funds, both well-established
channels for funding water
projects in the United States.
This commitment continues
the mission of the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law which has
awarded over $21.9 billion to
water infrastructure projects
since 2022.
National Academies
of Science to Host
Roundtable Series
on Plastics
Creating space for a national,
multi-sector common ground to
discuss plastic over its full
lifecycle, the National Acade-
mies of Science hosted the first
roundtable session on March
28-29, 2024. NAS describes the
event on their webpage as, "a
venue for federal agencies and
cross-disciplinary experts in
academia, industry and
non-governmental organiza-
tions to discuss priorities for
future research initiatives and
promising avenues for averting
the stream of plastics into
the environment."
Goals of the roundtable include
addressing central topics of the
national plastics issues:
production, material and
product design, waste genera-
tion management, environment
and health impacts, and data
collection, management
and modeling.
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