The Story of Stuff Project

Last week, a judge dismissed New York State’s lawsuit accusing PepsiCo of polluting Buffalo's waterways with plastic waste. Justice Emilio Colaiacovo criticized Attorney General Letitia James for filing the case, arguing the issue stems from people ignoring litter laws rather than Pepsi's practices. But this ruling overlooks a critical point: big corporations like PepsiCo continue to flood the market with single-use plastics that harm our environment and public health. PepsiCo claims it is "serious" about reducing plastic waste, yet it used its product space to fight against policies proven to drastically cut litter—a move that runs directly counter to real commitment. PepsiCo’s products contributed to 17% of plastic waste found in the Buffalo River, and still, the company walked away without accountability. This decision underscores a much larger issue in the fight against plastic pollution. While corporations make headlines with “sustainable packaging” goals, billions of tons of single-use plastics continue flooding our communities. And who ends up paying the price? It’s not Pepsi—it’s everyday people who bear the burden of cleaning up this plastic mess.

At The Story of Stuff Project, we love seeing folks challenge our reliance on single-use plastic! Wonderfil’s refill stations at Whole Foods Market are a fantastic example of meaningful change driven by women-owned businesses. Refill solutions, like those featuring Dr. Bronner's products, are essential in tackling plastic pollution at the source. Let’s continue working together to support the movement for waste-free alternatives.

Just Zero released a set of interactive toolkits to help communities nationwide put Zero Waste policies into action! These toolkits simplify the key policies and offer ways to adapt them for each state, city, and town’s unique needs. Are you interested in creating change on the local level? Check out these toolkits.

Plastic pollution is getting worse — despite widespread public awareness of the problem, massive investment in recycling, and years of pledges to stop polluting. So what do we get wrong when we talk about ocean plastic? A lot, it turns out. What's the solution? The #UNPlasticsTreaty could be one.

friendly reminder: you don't need to participate in Amazon Prime day ?? free yourself from the cycle of mindless consumerism, fam—we are the only way out of this mess. buy used, buy local, buy nothing!

Remember Burning Injustice, a short documentary that follows the inspiring journey of Latino activists John Mataka and Bianca Lopez? They exposed the toxic pollution and devastating health consequences of one of the last trash incinerators in California, fighting to close the facility once and for all. Through their unwavering determination, they called for environmental justice and a safer future for their community and loved ones. Today, we celebrate their success and the news that the Stanislaus County Covanta plant—the last remaining garbage incinerator in California—will cease operations in December! This marks a major victory in the fight against toxic waste incineration and for cleaner air and healthier communities. To everyone who stood up, raised their voices, and fought for change—thank you. Together, we are creating a future where justice and sustainability come first. ?? Californians Against Waste #BurningInjustice #EnvironmentalJustice #ZeroWaste #PeoplePower #CleanAir

As extreme weather like Hurricane Helene increases, Americans shouldn’t be forced to fund the industries causing the damage. Instead of giving tax breaks to fossil fuel giants, we should invest in renewable energy and community resilience. Our broken system can’t continue this way—let’s fix the Story of Broke and #EndFossilFuelSubsidies. Greenpeace 350.org Friends of the Earth Sunrise Movement GreenFaith Indigenous Environmental Network Oil Change International Our Revolution Zero Hour Turtle Island Restoration Network (TIRN) Stand.earth

Here's what you need to know from the world of #plastics this week: ?? Most of the products in the typical kitchen use plastics that are virtually impossible to recycle. Now Consumer Brands Association is pressuring regulators to make plastic appear more environmentally friendly. Thanks to ProPublica and Lisa Song for the much-needed coverage: https://shorturl.at/bphJu ?? Despite the fact that we've known for 40 years that vinyl chloride causes cancer in humans, it's still widely used. Last December, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) started the process required to limit or ban vinyl chloride.?Join Beyond Plastics to urge EPA to ban vinyl chloride before 10/23 deadline for public comments: https://shorturl.at/dzJf5 ?? Rep. Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-Ind.) and Don Davis (D-N.C.) are sponsoring sweeping recycling legislation backed by the plastics industry. The plan would promote chemical recycling technologies rebuked by environmentalists.?Read more in POLITICO, reported by Ellie Borst: https://shorturl.at/LYECq

Does recycling actually get recycled? That's the question one woman in Houston asked – and took it upon herself to find out. Check out this KHOU 11 story to see what she learned. CBS News Correspondent: Ben Tracy. https://lnkd.in/gJ55iEdH

You might have seen Amazon’s latest?partnerships?with TikTok and Pinterest, which will allow and encourage you to buy Amazon products without leaving the apps. It’s the latest tactic to further accelerate overconsumption. If you’re anything like us, you know this is terrible news – as these tech giants profit, people and the planet pay the price. Let’s break down the real impact of this shopping spree: Every click fuels a chain reaction—one that starts with extraction and production and ends in a landfill. Fast fashion items, shiny gadgets, and microtrends (remember the Stanley cup craze?) have short lifespans, pushing us toward a cycle of constant consumption. This isn’t just bad for your wallet; it’s disastrous for our planet. The carbon footprint of shipping, the waste from returns (many of which, by the way,?end up in the landfill), and the environmental cost of constant production all add up. Behind every “add to cart” is a person who made, packed, or shipped that product. Many of these workers face?harsh conditions, significant health risks, low wages, and job insecurity. Big tech’s pursuit of profit comes at the expense of human rights. The more we buy into the idea that stuff equals happiness, the more we get trapped in a loop of mindless consumption. This isn’t just about cluttering our homes;?it clutters our minds, too. As tech giants continue turning your social feed into a nonstop commercial, what can you do to fight back? Consider repair. Before buying something new, try fixing what you have – mend that sweater, polish the rusted jewelry, sand and repaint the chipped furniture. Just like cooking a meal is satisfying because of all the labor you put in, repair can be more gratifying than simply replacing an item. To get started, learn basic repair skills online or attend a local workshop with friends. And don’t forget to learn about your?Right to Repair – remember, many manufacturers purposely make it difficult and expensive to repair your own stuff, like appliances and electronics. You can support legislation in your state that makes it easier, more affordable, and more accessible to fix what you own. Focus on buying only what you truly need, and when you do need to make a purchase, buy used. Whether it’s?clothes,?electronics, or?furniture, there are marketplaces for pre-loved items that don’t only have a reduced carbon footprint, but are also much more gentle on your wallet. Or, you can choose not to pay at all – join your local?The Buy Nothing Project group, where you can give and receive items within your community for free. Say no to the scroll, and yes to what truly matters. Don’t let any company convince you that happiness is just one purchase away (and one more, again and again). Read more on our blog: https://lnkd.in/ejzT6Vwg