The mission of the Virginia Plastic Pollution Prevention Network (VPPPN) is to promote and facilitate coordination, collaboration, and communication among groups working to reduce plastic pollution throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

April 2024

Welcome to the Virginia Plastic Pollution Prevention Network (VPPPN).

In this edition:

Next Meeting is Tuesday, April 16 at 2 pm
Why collect data at your next cleanup
Reduce plastic tip of the month
Article: Virginia lawmaker aims to move up timeline on restaurant polystyrene ban
Article: Microfibers = huge plastic problem
Clean Fairfax - Earth Month+
KVB - Great Virginia Greenup
June 1- CBF Annual Clean The Bay Day

April Virginia Plastic Pollution Prevention Meeting

The Virginia Plastic Pollution Prevention Network will have a meeting on Zoom on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 (2:00 to 3:30 p.m.) We will have a round robin discussion and VPPPN member organizations will share their plans for Earth Day!

https://longwood-edu.zoom.us/j/93627320979

The meeting will be available on zoom:

Zoom Link

As many groups are springing into cleanup mode..here's why it is important to collect data

Collecting data during a cleanup DOUBLES the impact!

Data...

1) identifies "trash hot spots" for localities

2) assists in creating education and outreach campaigns

3) is used to inform policy makers

4) assists in crafting laws to reduce plastic pollution

Collecting data is easier than ever

thanks to the

Ocean Conservancy's - Clean Swell App

Reduce Plastic Tip of the Month

Is it time to replace your plastic food storage containers? The answer is yes if they are discolored, misshaped or really old.

Article: Keeping food safe when using plastic containers

Replace old containers with: glass, stainless steel or ceramic containers

Learn More Here

Virginia lawmaker aims to move up timeline on restaurant polystyrene ban

When the General Assembly’s regular session wrapped up last month, both the Senate and House approved language in the state's budget to move Virginia's expanded polystyrene (EPS) food and beverage container ban forward. EPS containers are one of the most common items found during cleanups and one of the most difficult items to remove from the environment. This budget item was vetoed on April 8.

Read the Full Article Here

Microfibers = Huge Plastic Problem

Our clothing is largely plastic-based, and when it is washed, pieces shed off and end up in our washing machines as microfibers. This is a huge problem for our ocean, as a single load of laundry can release up to 18 million microfibers, and these tiny pieces of plastic end up in our waterways. The good news? Microfiber filters can help. Fight plastic pollution with Ocean Conservancy and call on your elected leaders to take action today.

Take Action Here

How PFAS, microplastics join forces as a synergistic threat

It’s now abundantly clear that microplastics are in all of our waters. Studies in Pennsylvania’s streams and rivers, even those deemed ecologically valuable, show high rates of microplastic pollution. A 2015–19 study of microplastics in a 200-mile stretch of the Delaware River by the USGS and National Park Service found microplastic fragments, mostly in the form of fiber, in 100% of the water and sediment samples and 94% of the fish.

Read Article Here

Earth Month+

This year, Earth Day doesn’t have to be just one day.

Earth Day 2024 Theme: Planet vs. Plastic

Earthday.org has declared this year’s theme “Planet vs. Plastics.” From single use plastic bags to disposable water bottles to fast fashion and everything in between, the Earthday.org campaign seeks a 60% reduction in global plastic production by 2040.

Join the campaign!

In Northern Virginia, Clean Fairfax is hosting the annual

Earth Daze celebration on April 28th. They are also supporting cleanups and community events across Fairfax County.

Check out the 2024 Earth Month+ calendar. Join the fun and pitch in to Rethink the 3 Rs: Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Repurpose, Rot, and THEN Recycle – not just on Earth Day, and not only during Earth Month, but whenever you have the opportunity!

View the Clean Fairfax Earth Day+ Calendar Here

Great Virginia Greenup 2024

Learn More

Chesapeake Bay Foundations annual Clean the Bay Day June 1, 2024

Saturday, June 1, 2024

9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation will be hosting their 35th Clean the Bay Day this year on Saturday, June 1 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm! Every year Virginians all over the state join together to clean litter that jeopardizes the health of our bay. To learn more about Clean the Bay Day and register at cbf.org/clean .

The earlier you register, the more choices you will have regarding cleanup sites. This year we’re highlighting Zone Captains and their critical work helping Clean the Bay Day run smoothly! For questions, please contact ctbd@cbf.org.

The VPPPN monthly eNewsletter wants

YOUR input!

If you would like to have your upcoming event (or publication) mentioned in the monthly VPPPN eNewsletter, write a paragraph with the following information, and email it to VirginiaPPPN@gmail.com.

Are you reading a book about plastics, environmental justice, ocean sustainability and health or another related topic? What about a podcast series relevant to plastic pollution or marine debris? We want to know so we can share that information with other VPPPN members!

FORMAT: Submissions to the VPPPN monthly eNewsletter must be sent as a Word or Pages document or as text in an e-mail. Word limit: 150. You can also send us a photo, logo, or flyer as a JPG.

CONTENT: Include the title, time, date and place of the event or program, and a phone number (with area code) or e-mail address of a contact person. State if the program is free or has a fee; has an age requirement or other restrictions; or has a registration deadline or welcomes drop-ins. Also include the name of the group sponsoring the event, and a website (if available) for more information.

Support the

Virginia Plastic Pollution Prevention Network

As our network grows, so do our expenses. Please consider a donation to support the VPPPN if you have found it to be valuable to you. We would appreciate your support of $10, $20 or more. Member organizations that donate $100 or more will have the opportunity to add their logo and website link to our website.

Donations by credit card (Master Card and VISA) can be made using the link below. All donations to support the VPPPN are managed through our partner, Clean Virginia Waterways of Longwood University. THANK YOU!

Support VPPPN

The Virginia Plastic Pollution Prevention Network is a Program of Clean Virginia Waterways of Longwood University, Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program and Eco Maniac Company.