What are the health implications of plastics on both people and the planet?
Plastics are one of the most pervasive materials on the planet, finding their way into remote ecosystems, air and waterways and even our food and bodies. It is estimated that the average person consumes 2,000 microplastics in a week, roughly the weight of one credit card. Beyond this, from fossil fuel extraction to chemical refinement, the environmental impact of plastic production is often felt most directly by marginalized communities. And yet the impact of plastics on human health — both through indirect environmental exposure and direct exposure in the manufacturing of plastics — are relatively unknown. With toxic chemicals embedded in their structure and released in their production, some plastics have been linked to neurological, reproductive and developmental issues, among other health risks. Join this session to understand the impact of plastics both in the environment and in our bodies, as well as the role your company can play in waste reduction, toxic chemical elimination and advancing safe, circular materials.