Toxic Plastic Pollution: Health, Environment, Legislation

In March 2025, HEJSupport presented the online course “Toxic Plastic Pollution: Health, Environment, Legislation”. The course is offered in English, German, and Russian. It examines plastic pollution primarily as a chemical issue, exploring the complex realm of plastic chemicals by drawing on information from key reports, including those from the Plastic Pollution Coalition, the International Pollutants Elimination Network, the Break Free From Plastic movement, UNEP, and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. It discusses health and environmental problems caused by chemicals in plastic, including issues linked to recycling plastic that contains toxic substances.

The course also highlights progressive plastic legislation, such as the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act in the United States and the EU Plastic Strategy, which aim to reduce plastic pollution and encourage sustainable practices.

Additionally, it covers the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and the ongoing negotiations for a global treaty on plastic.

By understanding the criteria for problematic plastic products and the importance of transparency and information tracking regarding chemical content in plastics, participants will gain a comprehensive grasp of the challenges and solutions for managing chemicals in plastic.