The Battle Over Plastic - with Judith Enck

Legislators are hesitant to make action to regulate plastic, but the problem gets worse every day.

In the news this week, Patti and Doug talk about the surprising toxicity of homes of Los Angeles due to the recent fires, and the decades of delay for people in Chicago waiting to get rid of lead pipes. Then former EPA Regional Administrator and Beyond Plastics founder Judith Enck talks about the recent battle in New York State over legislation to reduce the amount of plastic in product packaging.  

Green Street - The Battle Over Plastic, with Judith Enck

0:00

Links from the Interview

The website of Beyond Plastics: https://www.beyondplastics.org/

Links from the News

California Homes That Escaped Fire Didn't Escape Toxins: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/06/24/realestate/los-angeles-fires-toxic-homes.html

It's OK for People in Chicago to Wait 50 Years for Lead Pipe Replacement: https://insideclimatenews.org/news/26062025/chicago-lead-pipe-replacement-plan/

Plastic Fashion: Not So Pretty - with Alden Wicker

Plastic clothing is not only a worldwide pollution problem but a human health threat as well.

This week on Green Street, Patti and Doug talk about our rapidly deteriorating oceans, how data centers are providing heat for homes in Norway, and a new study about toxic chemicals in plumbing fixtures including shower heads. Then award-winning author Alden Wicker talks about fast fashion, and how plastic clothing is not only a worldwide pollution problem but a health problem as well. 

Plastic Fashion: Not So Pretty - with Alden Wicker

0:00

Links from the Interview

To Dye For - How Toxic Fashion Is Making Us Sick–and How We Can Fight Back https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/705645/to-dye-for-by-alden-wicker/

Alden Wicker's website: https://www.aldenwicker.com/

Links from the News

Scientists call for urgent ocean protections as warming seas threaten ecosystems: https://insideclimatenews.org/news/04062025/one-ocean-science-congress-destructive-industrial-fishing/

Data Centers are Providing Heating to Homes in Norway: https://businessnorway.com/articles/sustainability-heats-up-in-norwegian-data-centre-industry

Lead and other toxic chemicals found in cheap plumbing fixtures: https://www.nbcchicago.com/consumer/lead-cancer-causing-chemicals-found-in-popular-faucets-sold-online/3757121/

Here are the brands of plumbing fixtures you might want to avoid: Vesla, Kzh, Nictie, Hgn, Kicimpro. Vfauosit. Qomolangma

The Plastic Recycling Scam - with Dr. Veena Singla

The plastic industry is desperately trying to convince us that they can recycle plastic. Too bad it doesn't work.

This week on Green Street, Patti and Doug talk about the link between plastic food containers and heart disease, how climate change is threatening drinking water, and how RFK’s promise to regulate hazardous chemicals by getting rid of corporate influence will sit with the corporate cronies President Trump has selected to staff the EPA. Then Columbia University’s Dr. Veena Singla talks about her career studying the various methods being used by the plastic industry to try to make their products seem sustainable. 

The Plastic Recycling Scam with Dr. Veena Singla

0:00

Links from the Interview

Dr. Singla's page at the Sustainable Packaging Coalition: https://sustainablepackaging.org/people/veena-singla/

The Burning Truth Behind Chemical Recycling (video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJGDCCgELMk

Links from the News Eating from plastic containers may increase the risk of heart disease: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/12/plastic-food-containers-heart-failure

Climate change is putting drinking water a risk: https://e360.yale.edu/features/climate-change-drinking-water

RFK has his work cut out for him working with the EPA: https://www.eenews.net/articles/can-trump-make-america-healthy-again-with-this-epa/