On Saturday, February 8th, Keep Norfolk Beautiful and Norfolk Environmental Commission co-hosted an event that included free screening of the 2019 documentary film,” The Story of Plastic” at the Naro Theater in Norfolk. The event included presentations and information from a panel comprised of speakers from the Sierra Club, Clean Virginia Waterways, and Old Dominion University. The movie documented the
history and evolution of the plastics industry and how the current global plastic waste crisis came to be.

Plastics first came into the American mindset and culture in the mid 1940’s when creative and marketable uses for the byproduct of petroleum processing were being sought. Through development from big chemical companies, plastic products evolved from items such as Tupperware to all types of parts and equipment and consumer product packaging. While there are benefits from plastic products, there is a great downside to the fact that plastics do not degrade. They last forever.

Fast forward 85 years, and the world is literally covered in plastics, from the powders, granules, and pellets created at processing plants to the scraps, bags, and products long discarded. Creative ways to recycle and reuse have not been viable. Only 2% of all plastic is effectively recyclable. American municipal recycling collections and programs hit a wall in 2018 when China quit accepting America’s plastic waste. Their country was overwhelmed with plastic trash.

With the main market for recyclable materials gone, America’s piles of plastic trash have accumulated with nowhere to go. Along with those collected piles of plastic, much plastic trash has found its way into the oceans, waterways, and lands of our state and country. Chemicals from these plastics permeate the environment. Animals mistake the plastics for food or get caught in the debris as most of us may have witnessed either in person or on videos showing marine and land wildlife entangled in plastic debris or dead fish, deer and other animals found with plastic products in their bellies. Attempts to dispose of plastics by incineration have been found to only add to the issue by sending toxic smoke into the air causing harm to both humans and animals.

“The Story of Plastic” movie advocated change, not only how consumers choose products, but also in how manufacturers should be held accountable for the non-degradable products they produce. Panelists at the event spoke about efforts locally and within Virginia to clean up and quell plastic trash in the state. Christina Trapani, Executive Director of Clean Virginia Waterways, spoke about marine debris reduction
and possible future state legislation to prohibit and phase out styrofoam containers and put deposits or costs on plastic bottles and bags. She advocated that we each can make a difference with reducing plastic use, even by starting with the little things, one step at a time. More information on Clean Virginia Waterways 2026-2030 plan can be found on their website.

Robin Dunbar from Old Dominion University’s School of Public Service stated that 2 million metric tons of plastic garbage go into the ocean annually. She noted that federal congressional money from the “Drift Project” is provided to keep the Elizabeth River channel clear, and she discussed possible studies about macro debris in local waterways and advocated for more enforcement of environmental laws.

“The Story of Plastic” advocated change, not only how consumers choose products, but also in how manufacturers should be held accountable for the non-degradable products they produce. To see a 2-minute trailer of the movie or learn about hosting a screening, click here. And for a 4-minute overview of the movie, click here.

WHAT PFAS HAS TO DO WITH THE PLASTICS ISSUE

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals”, are a class of manmade chemicals that are often used in the plastic molding industry. PFAS are used as a common ingredient in mold release composites and coatings, where they are effective at releasing molded plastic parts from molds. However, PFAS also have properties that make them persistent in the environment.

PFAS are toxic at very low levels and have been linked to a wide range of health risks, including cancer, reproductive problems, and immune system disorders. They have also been found in human blood and breast milk, drinking water, soil, and food packaging. A study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that plastic food packaging from around the world contains at least 68 PFAS.