Plastics are not a distant threat plaguing our oceans and landfills, but are now an ever present evil presence that has followed us all home, whether we like it or not. Microplastics are “invisible” pollutants that have an impact on human health, but also threaten the wellness of our furry loved ones. 

And there are a lot of furry friends out there! There are over one billion pets worldwide, and according to the Global Animal Health Association’s 2022 report, the US, Brazil, the European Union and China alone account for half a billion pets. In Argentina, 66% of homes own a dog, with Mexico not far behind at 64%. The Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe have all seen pet ownership rise and in Korea it increased 50% from 2014 to 2018. 

According to research from 2024, 66% of households in the US own a pet, with 65.1 million American homes with a dog, and 46.5 million with a cat.  In fact 50% of the world’s population owns a pet in one shape or another. 

We go above and beyond for our pets, which is evident in the 259.37 billion US dollars we spent globally on pet care items in 2024. A figure predicted to rise to 427.75 billion by 2032. But unbeknownst to most pet owners, plastics are undermining our good intentions and potentially harming our beloved fur babies. Because plastics are ubiquitous in the pet industry – pet toys, pet clothes, pet bedding, pet toiletries, even pet food, they can all include plastics. 

Plastic is Haunting Us

That’s not all. Only 9% of all the plastic ever made has been recycled and all plastics over time shed microplastics.  Microplastics are small in size, no more than a grain of rice, and are easily transferable. Meaning they haunt us – turning up everywhere, in our water, soil, air, homes and in the food chain.  

Last July, EARTHDAY.ORG published Pets Vs. Plastics, a report that covered the ubiquitous nature of plastics in our world and its effect on our pets.​ The report revealed that plastics are a combination of fossil fuels, mainly oil and a cocktail of harmful chemicals, primarily bisphenol A (BPA)  and phthalates. Which can impact our health and that of our pets too. 

Microplastics  and their additive chemicals, have already been associated with a range of health issues impacting our pets, from embryo development to potential infertility, liver failure and miscarriage and more. 

Luckily, there are ways we can scare these pollutants away from endangering the health and wellbeing of our four-legged loved ones. To mark National Cat Day this spooky season, here are 7 ways to reduce the danger of microplastics on your pets this Halloween.

1. Plastic Pet Food 

When it comes to pet foods, it is also important to look beyond the label on the can and the ingredient list. Because the inner lining of pet food cans often contain plastic chemicals that can leech into the pet food itself.  For instance, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based coating was found in 95% of all cat food cans and a BPA-based coating was found in 81% of all dog food cans. A component chemical used to make PVC has been proven to be cancerogenic. 

We know that microplastics are in the human food chain — one study published in February 2024, reviewed a wide range of meat, fish and vegetarian meat alternatives used for human grade food and reported that 88% of them contained microplastics. 

Most pet foods are made with “feed-grade” ingredients, ranked lower than human-grade so there’s far more likelihood plastics can get into pet food. We know that feed-grade includes parts of livestock, such as sheep heads, that are often sent to be rendered and processed for pet food, with plastic ear tags still attached. These ear tags are typically used for identification and tracking reasons, but when mulched into pet food it means your pet is getting an unwanted dose of plastic.   

Home made pet food might be a solution for some pet owners. Consider making your own pet food if you can. But always take veterinary advice as changing the diet of your pet quickly can cause issues in and of itself. Dogs need protein, fat, minerals and vitamins to stay healthy. Dogs especially love cooked carrots, squash and sweet potatoes, mixed with protein. This may be a viable option for your pet if cooked in bulk and potentially frozen in batches. Note there are some foods that dogs especially cannot eat, like onions, grapes and chocolate for example. There’s a full list of ingredients to avoid HERE.

Cats have unique dietary needs of their own, that are different to the dietary needs of dogs. Plus dogs and cats have evolving nutritional needs dependent on their age. Cats too have a list of food that are poisonous to them – HERE.

There are many resources online featuring yummy pet food recipes as well as information on how to maximize the nutrients your pets need. Please always check what ingredients you can safely use before making your homemade pet food. 

Plus, instead of using plastic bowls for food or water, opt for glass or stainless steel. The next time you go grocery shopping, plan ahead and look online for pet recipes that are all about treating your pets well, and not allowing pet food to trick you into feeding them plastics. 

2. Clean up the Candy Wrappers

Everybody loves a Halloween sweet treat! Annually, the average American eats eight pounds of candy. But candy wrappers, due to their complex composition, don’t adhere to standard recycling practices. 

As a result, candy wrappers are amongst the top five commonly found items on beaches and waterways. These wrappers also shed microplastics directly in our homes and cars – all the places that are pets are. These micro and nano plastics collect in household dust and can be easily inhaled by pets, especially as they live closer to the ground. Studies have found high levels of plastic related flame retardant chemicals (PBDEs) in the blood serum of dogs and cats. 

Our pets’ plastic intake levels are also powerful benchmarks for our own plastic intake level. Dogs are considered sentinel species, which means because dogs live close to people and share the same air, water, and surroundings, if something harmful shows up in dogs first and alert us to risks for humans.

The most optimal solution is to reduce your candy consumption. Or opt for treats in recyclable materials like cardboard and paper. But the most important thing to reduce our pet’s inhalation of microplastics in household dust is regular sweeping and vacuuming! 

3. Plastic Toys are Not Nice

There are very little federal and state regulations on pet toys and most pet toys are made of plastics.  With this explosion of the pet industry over the last decade, you might assume that all pet toys on the market have been vetted by federal, state or global agencies. You would be wrong to think this.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission CPSC, which is dedicated to reducing “the unreasonable risk of injuries and deaths associated with consumer products”, has never recalled a pet toy because it was deemed to be hazardous. The Commission argues that it could only do that if a pet toy was deemed dangerous to a human as it has no authority to protect your pets.  And the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate pet accessories, toys, beds, crates, grooming aids, cat litter, etc.

Plastic pet toys often contain additive chemicals, like phthalates and Bisphenol-A (BPA), and because our pets love to chew on these toys, plastic chemicals can leach directly into their gums. On top of that plastic toy fragments that break off as they chew can be ingested and reach their stomachs.  Exposure to these chemicals has similar effects on our pets as it does to humans – including impacting sperm count and potential infertility.  A study in 2019 found phthalates in every single sample of cat and dog urine tested. The levels of phthalates found were similar to the levels found in human beings.

Research from 2017 suggested BPA is linked with changes to the gut microbiome and metabolism of pets and another study, albeit from 2013, conducted by researchers at Texas Tech University found that aging and worn dog toys contained increased concentrations of both BPA and phthalates.  According to a 2022 study there is evidence BPA might trigger the progression of prostate tumorigenesis, as shown in experiments on beagles tested in laboratory conditions.

It is a sobering thought too that every year in the US alone an estimated 634 million dog toys, mainly plastic,  end up in landfills. That is the equivalent to 40,500 tons of plastic waste dumped every year so your dog can chew on something ‘cute’. So, do your pet and the planet a favor and opt for pet toys made of hemp, cotton and natural ingredients instead.  A cotton T shirt tied up in knots for example will make your dog just as happy as a plastic pumpkin chew toy.

4. Trick or Treat?

A commonly overlooked source of microplastics in our pet’s lives are plastic textile materials like polyester, nylon, and acrylics. These synthetic fibers are used to make our cats and dogs’ clothes, bedding, and costumes. The global pet clothing market alone is expected to grow to $6.3 billion by 2028 with the pet bed sector reaching $4.25 billion in 2022, with a projection to reach $8.23 billion by 2030.

Fast fashion has exacerbated the use of these cheap materials, with global synthetic fiber production increasing from 57 million metric tons to 111 million metric tons in the last 20 years alone. Halloween is fast fashion’s dream holiday –  making cheap costumes the norm as  83 percent of the materials used for these are made of oil-based plastic. Which is a nightmare for our pets’ health as we wrap them in polyester ghost gear.

Better alternatives for our pet costumes, and our own too, are linen, cotton, and wool. All of these materials are natural fibers that are durable and will make for hauntingly cool pet costumes.

5. Sucking Up the Spooky

Last but not least, end your spooky night right with a careful cleanup!  Check indoors and outdoors, for plastic candy wrappers, decorations, and even forgotten chocolate bars, as chocolate is poisonous to dogs.   

We hope these tips help you celebrate the spooky season free of plastic nightmares. If you want to support our work dumping plastics, sign the ​​Global Plastics Treaty petition and make your voice heard.

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is cleared for use with attribution. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

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It’s officially been a year since EARTHDAY.ORG released our powerful Pets vs. Plastics report, uncovering just how deep microplastics are embedded in our pet companions’ lives. Given that pets are increasingly part of our families it is not surprising that the report had such an impact.

Research has shown that the majority of pet owners regard their relationship with their pets, especially dogs and cats,  as akin to a relationship with a child.   Millennials and Gen Z have been touted as the “fur-baby-boom generations.” 

The Problem With Plastics

Historically, plastic was hailed as the do-it-all material. By the 1950s it started to be used widely, driven by a post-war economy that saw plastic products flying off our shelves, while the booming fossil fuel backed plastic industry, manufactured every conceivable household item from packaging to clothes, in the form of polyester, to medical equipment to furniture, curtain, carpets and computers from plastics. Sippy cups and stethoscopes would soon be joined by thousands of pet products too- the majority of them made with the same cheap plastic materials – all created from a mix of oil and a cocktail of toxic chemicals. 

Plastic promised us hygiene, permanence and convenience. Unfortunately we learned too late that plastic may be permanent but it is not inert, it breaks down into smaller particles called micro and nano plastics. Which in turn leach plastic chemicals and can harbor viruses and bacteria. 

Today, we know how harmful this so-called “convenient” material can be as microplastics, tiny particles of plastics, and their toxic chemicals are associated with a whole range of human health issues.  Anything from cancers to heart attacks to infertility. 

On July 12, 2024 Pets Vs. Plastics exposed how plastic pollutants had infiltrated our pet’s lives too – their food, toys and bedding. As the pet market continues to boom, by the end of 2025 Americans alone are projected to spend $157 billion on pet related products, with the U.S. representing the world’s largest market. This explosive growth means more plastic products are ending up in our homes, and ultimately, in our pets’ daily routines and even inside their bodies.

So, it feels timely to look back at the key points from our pet report and remind every pet owner what they need to know.

Far From Squeaky Clean

Like babies, chewing is an essential part of a puppy’s development. But unlike humans, dogs don’t grow out of the need to chew, which provides necessary jaw exercise and can even reduce anxiety. From rubber balls to Lamb Chop, pet toys have gotten more and more creative as the industry capitalized on this and owners’ love for their four-legged friends.

Unfortunately, Pets Vs. Plastics found that pet toys are largely unregulated. Many pets are chewing and chomping on harmful plastic chemicals like, BPA (bisphenol A), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and phthalates. 

Plastic toys made with these types of products can potentially harm our pets because toxic  chemicals  leach out of these toys when they are chewed, licked, or played with. Once inside the body, BPA and the additives used to soften PVC can disrupt pets’ hormone systems, damage organs like the liver and kidneys, and have been linked to reproductive problems and even cancer. Pets are especially vulnerable because they interact with toys using their mouths, increasing their exposure to these harmful substances.

It’s not just the chemicals that can harm our pets—bits of plastic chewed off these toys can also be dangerous. In fact, a 2021 report in Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that 4%  of dogs required veterinary treatment after chewing on plastic toy materials, and 83% of pet owners give their pets essentially inedible chew toys. Yet, the Pets Vs. Plastics investigation revealed that a pet toy has never been recalled for being deemed “hazardous” by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which claims its authority extends only to products intended for humans.

The lack of federal action has led nonprofits and other organizations to develop their own safety standards. Bark’s first-ever industry-wide toy safety standard, is accompanied by their toy testing lab that utilizes jaw simulation technology. The work comes alongside ASTM international, a company dedicated to improving standards in a variety of products and services. 

Other companies have focused on sustainability. BeyondGREEN Biotech, Inc. uses biopolymers–organic, biodegradable materials from natural sources–to develop sustainable product manufacturing in the United States. With this method, starch from potatoes, cellulose from bamboo, and chitin from clams replace harmful synthetic substitutes. The company is also compliant with EN13432 and ASTM D6400, industrial standards for compostability in Europe and the U.S., respectively. Meanwhile, Green Pet uses cornstarch and bamboo as biodegradable material for their products.

But even these standards don’t target the threat of microplastics and other contaminants that can worm their way into our pets bodies. 

Are Pet Food Standards Poor?

As if ingesting microplastics from chew toys wasn’t enough, pets are also at risk of pollutants being in their food. Pets Vs. Plastics revealed that dust, animal poop, and polyethylene–a popular type of plastic–can all potentially end up in our pet’s food. These dangers are heightened by a lack of pre-market review for pet food, and lax laws on the use of additives. 

It’s hard to know for sure what ingredients are actually being used in our pet’s food and there have been lawsuits as a result of false ingredient claims.

The U.S. especially has a complicated and opaque pet food labelling system that was up until recently delegated to a non-federal organization called AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials). A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement outlined how AAFCO and the FDA worked together to define and approve new animal feed and pet food ingredients. But just a few months after EARTHDAY.ORG’s (EDO) pet report came out the MOU between AAFCO and the FDA, expired on October 1, 2024. This action was confirmed by the American Vet Medical Association (AVMA).

Now, the FDA is developing its own Animal Food Ingredient Consultation Program to review and approve new ingredients directly, rather than relying on the AAFCO process. We know that many hundreds of EDO supporters wrote to the FDA demanding better regulation for their beloved pet’s food but the FDA chose not to respond to them or us.

Meanwhile, even without the MOU in place, AAFCO continues to set model regulations and standards for pet food labeling, which many individual states still use as guidance. Some consumer advocates and pet owners have accused AAFCO of discriminating against consumers by restricting public access to meetings and regulatory processes, and they question whether AAFCO’s standards are unduly influenced by the pet food industry. These critics argue that AAFCO’s actions lack transparency and may not always prioritize animal welfare.

While the EU has stricter pet food regulation, countries like Australia and China have none, indicating a global shortcoming for pet safety.

Meanwhile, this January AAFCO approved a proposal to replace their Ingredient Definition Request process. The proposal means Kansas State University’s Olathe Innovation Campus (K-State Olathe) will be “provide the scientific review for a new animal food ingredient submission pathway”.

Some industry stakeholders, such as the Pet Food Institute, have expressed concerns – worrying that the burden of proof for ingredient safety could differ between academic and federal reviews, potentially leading to inconsistencies in standards. Shifting the review process to an academic panel could introduce more regulatory discretion and subjectivity, rather than the codified standards used by federal agencies. Plus, there is concern that consumers may be skeptical of a process not directly overseen by the FDA.

Actress Amanda Seyfried and her beloved dog Finn took part in a Plastic Tox Test to support EARTHDAY.ORG’s efforts to raise awareness about the health risks of plastic chemical exposure for both humans and pets.

Wrap it Up: Plastic Packaging 

A pet’s love is forever, but sadly so are the chemicals used in packaging. Pets Vs. Plastic reported that PFAs, per- and polyfluoroalkyl commonly called “forever chemicals”, were found in pet food packaging. In humans, these harmful chemicals have been found to lead to kidney disease, liver disease, cancer and birth defects. It was found some cat food contained more than 600 parts per million (ppm) while some dog food recorded just under that number.

A Paws-On Approach

So with all this plastic, we’re sure you’re thinking: “Well what can I do for my pets?”. And we’ve come up with some answers from vacuuming to shampoos. Check out our article 6 Ways to Protect Your Pets from Plastics to learn more about preventing ingestion for your furry friends. 

We need a 60% reduction in plastic to save our pet’s health. And with the already limited oversight shrinking, now more than ever we need to act. Our Global Plastics Treaty urges leaders to take a stand, putting people and pets over profit. 

From eliminating unsubstantiated claims about performance–like “indestructible”–to a global industry standard for all labeling, to proactive enforcement of regulations, we need better care for our pets. Sign here to take part in the fight against plastic pollution, and help fight for a better future for all. Let’s make a change, and put our best paw forward.

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

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It’s International Plastic Bag Free Day and there’s finally something to celebrate. Plastic bag use is on the decline, and that’s great news for all of us; even our pets who we love like family. 

Today is all about raising awareness of the damage single-use plastic bags cause and encouraging individuals, businesses, and governments to move away from them. Around the world, policies like bag bans and mandatory checkout fees have been implemented to reduce reliance on plastic. These initiatives not only cut down on waste but have also been shown to save retailers money and nudge consumers toward reusable alternatives. 

In some areas, these efforts have led to a drop in plastic bag litter by as much as 47%, making a real difference for our ecosystems and reducing harmful plastic exposure in our daily lives.

Why does that matter? Because plastic isn’t just bad for the planet; it’s toxic to people and animals. Chemicals like phthalates and bisphenols found in plastics can leach into our environment, contaminating our air, water, and even our bodies. Our furry companions, who explore the world with their mouths and paws, are especially vulnerable.

Here are our top 7 tips for protecting your fur babies from plastics:

1) Watch Their Water

When at home, it’s easier to ensure our pets get cleaner water. But once we take them out, it’s a different story. It’s understandable; you don’t want to leave your furry loved ones behind and you want to keep them hydrated. However, giving them bottled water can jeopardize their health. A single bottle can contain up to 240,000 microplastic particles, and the chemicals in those plastics can leach into the water your pet drinks. Instead, carry fresh water for them in a reusable aluminum or glass bottle!

2) Sweep up

That household “dust” isn’t just dust – it’s full of microplastics. Regular sweeping and vacuuming can reduce what you and your pets breathe in and ingest. 99% of carpets in the US are made from polyester, nylon, polypropylene, or triexta, which are plastic textiles, made from oil, meaning your beloved cats and dogs are coming into contact with tiny plastic filaments and fibers all the time — unless you are cleaning them up! 

3) Beyond Plastic Packaging

Plastic packaging leaches into your pet’s food and treats and bisphenol, often known as BPA, often  lines the inside of pet food cans. To avoid it, try reaching for options in non-plastic packaging. Also ditch the plastic bowls; glass or stainless steel are much better for serving up Rover’s dinner.

4) Hidden Ingredients

Pet food itself has also been found to contain microplastics, from ear tags from the heads of carcass animals used in the making of pet food to plastic packaging from waste human food that can get ground into the mix. So consider cooking your own home style pet food so that you know exactly what Buddy and Jinx are eating. There are lots of great resources on-line for this and the ASPA has advice on the nutrients your pet needs. 

5) Choose Natural Toys 

Our animal companions often ingest plastic from their toys, especially dogs who love to chew. The plastic they’re gnawing on isn’t magically edible and can get stuck in their gums, or worse, find its way into their digestive system. Many pet owners have racked up hefty vet bills after surgeries to remove toy fragments. And yes, manufacturers may claim that the squeakers in plush toys aren’t meant to be eaten, but we all know pets don’t read warnings.

Despite the risks, pet toys remain largely unregulated. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) only intervenes if a product poses a danger to humans, and the FDA does not regulate pet accessories at all. This means manufacturers can legally produce toys containing harmful chemicals like phthalates and BPA. Labels such as “indestructible” or “non-toxic” often have no official oversight or testing to back these claims, leaving pet owners to rely on trust rather than regulation.

These chemicals aren’t just theoretical risks; they’re showing up in our pets. A 2019 study even found phthalates in the urine of every dog and cat tested, at levels comparable to humans. These plasticizers, which make hard plastics more flexible, can leach from pet toys and be absorbed through pets’ gums, potentially causing liver, kidney, and reproductive damage. Worn or broken plastic toys increase exposure, and since pets never outgrow their chewing habits, this risk is constant.

Opt for toys made from natural materials like organic cotton, bamboo, natural rubber, wool, and hemp. Avoid heavily dyed toys. Even use an old cotton t-shirt tied up in knots as a toy, your dog will love it and it’s cheaper too!

6) Say No to Polyester

Pet cloth collars, clothes, beds, blankets, leashes and toys are nearly always going to be made from or contain plastic based materials  -like  polyester textiles and they shed microplastic fibers. So these should be a no-go for you and your pets! Choose natural materials instead. Wool and cotton are best. Plus check out what you can find at your local thrift  store – look for human clothes you can retrofit into pet fashion! That way you are cleverly recycling not creating more stuff!

7) Choose Smarter Grooming Products

Avoid pet shampoos and other grooming products with microbeads (those tiny plastic balls found in many beauty products). Instead, look for animal friendly shampoo bars. 

Overall, reducing plastic use in your home cuts down on microplastics in your environment, making your household safer and healthier for everyone — paws, claws, and all!

This International Plastic Bag Free Day, let’s not just free our shopping carts from plastic — let’s free our pets, too. From the toys they chew to the bowls they eat from, plastic surrounds them in ways we often overlook. Choosing safer, plastic-free alternatives is more than a personal decision; it’s a stand for their health and a demand that industries and policymakers stop treating our pets as an afterthought.

To gain more insight on how plastics affect our pet’s health, read EARTHDAY.ORG’s report PETS vs PLASTICS. If you would like to take more action, you can reach out to the FDA to demand they better regulate our pets’ food and toys. 

If you want to cut plastics out of your life, we have tons of awesome tote bags on our Earth Day Store. 

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

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Just under a year ago, EARTHDAY.ORG released the Pets vs. Plastics report, revealing disturbing truths about how plastics and unsafe chemicals are making their way into the products and food our pets consume. Just weeks later, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made a troubling move by  “evolving” its 17-year relationship with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) as the entity that set standards for pet food and safety, though keeping them on their committees. This change has significant implications for pet food safety, as AAFCO had been setting the standards for pet food ingredients in the United States, allowing certain harmful substances to enter the food chain. The FDA is still figuring out a new system of pet food regulation. 

It’s time to revisit these findings, and not let regulations and standards for our pets products slip through the cracks. 

They’re Not Our Furry Friends, They’re Our Family

In recent years, the pet care industry has exploded. Over one billion pets exist worldwide, and the United States, Brazil, the European Union, and China alone account for over half a billion of these. As pet ownership rises, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z, the relationship between pets and their owners has become more like that of a child to a parent. In fact, the majority of pet owners view their pets, especially dogs and cats, as beloved family members. Millennials, often referred to as the “fur-baby-boom generation,” own more pets than any other generation, which significantly contributes to the growing pet care market. But they’re not the only ones: the most recent National Pet Owners Survey by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) found that of the 66% of U.S. households with a pet.

We care deeply about our pets—two-thirds of people take better care of their pets than themselves and feel closer to their pets than their immediate family. And it makes sense, our pets improve our health. Having a pet reduces stress and anxiety which, in the long-term, can help us to live longer lives. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has stated that it can only regulate products if they pose a risk to humans, leaving pets largely unprotected from harmful toys, bedding, and clothes. When we care more about pets than ourselves, why are we not demanding better regulation of the things our pets come in contact with? 

Our Pets Are Not Your Cash Cows

With so many pets, the industry is big business. In recent years the pet care market has been projected to grow at a rate of around 5.1% each year, and the global market’s pet trajectory is conservatively predicted to hit $500 billion by 2030. With such a large profit margin, it seems completely feasible to instate firmer regulations for the things our pets come into contact with. 

Where Plastics Lurk

Plastics and synthetic materials, like polyester and nylon, are present in many household items, like our couches, kitchen materials, nicknacks, and more. They shed microplastics and microfibers into the air which then become part of household dust, which pets frequently breath in and ingest through grooming and play. Being closer to the ground than humans, pets are at a higher risk of exposure to these harmful substances. Research has already shown that toxic flame retardant chemicals are present in the blood of dogs and cats and are associated with thyroid issues, weakening our pets’ immune systems which can cause more serious health issues such as heart problems, vision loss, and weak bones. 

All Plastic, No Play 

The toys that our pets chew on may also contain harmful chemicals. When buying our pets toys, we often think of their fun and not their health. Plastic additives like phthalates and bisphenol-A (BPA) are common in many pet toys, leaching into pets’ gums, stomachs, and skin. Given that pets frequently chew and play with these items, they are directly ingesting these dangerous substances, which could lead to long-term health issues. 

Micro plastics are not the only danger with their toys. Plastic toys are often brittle and break. You’d think with the growth in the pet industry that pet toys would be regulated, right? Wrong. There are virtually no federal or state laws, which expressly apply solely to the manufacture and sale of pet toys. This is concerning as, in addition to the chemicals that we cannot see with the human eye harm our pets, many toys are known to cause physical obstructions. A 2022 study supported this concern, showing that a significant percentage of dogs experienced health issues after chewing on toys that led to physical blockages or other injuries. Toys aren’t the only way our pets consume plastic chemicals. 

Food Should be Fuel, Not Poison

Pet food is not immune to plastic contamination. Many pet foods are packaged in plastic, which can leach harmful chemicals into the food. Cat food cans, for instance, are often lined with PVC-based coatings, while dog food cans are coated with BPA. Additionally, some pet food ingredients may come from discarded human food, which can still be wrapped in plastic. Even ear tags from livestock animals can end up in pet food. These plastics can break down into tiny fragments, posing serious health risks to our pets.

Do you remember in the beginning when we talked about the FDA not properly regulating pet food? Well this is what they do now: The FDA does not permit the intentional addition of plastics to pet food, but it only inspects manufacturing plants on a complaint basis, meaning there’s little oversight to prevent plastic contamination. This lack of proactive oversight means there’s little to stop plastic from entering the food supply chain, putting our pets at risk.

Just as microplastics are increasingly found in human food, pet food is not immune to these contaminants. One study found that 88% of meat, fish, and vegetarian alternatives contained microplastics. It’s highly likely that pet food, given its processing, is similarly affected. 

When it comes to labeling, the pet food industry has also been caught mislabeling ingredients and adding substances that aren’t listed on the label. While laws do require pet food to be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, free from harmful substances, and truthfully labeled, it’s important to note that pet food doesn’t undergo any pre-market review before hitting shelves. The only real regulation is around food additives, which leaves a gap in ensuring overall safety.

What Can You Do?

These plastic chemicals found in our pet’s toys, food, beds, and more have already been associated with a variety of pet health issues, from embryo development in dogs, to potential infertility, liver and kidney damage and cancers. 

As pet owners, it’s crucial to take proactive steps to reduce our pets’ exposure to harmful plastics and chemicals. Buy non-plastic toys and feed them whole food if possible. One of the most effective ways to minimize the risk of microplastics in your pet’s environment is by regularly cleaning and vacuuming your home.Additionally, using an indoor air filter can further reduce the presence of microplastics in your home, creating a cleaner and safer environment for both you and your pets.

Furthermore, it’s important to remember that pets are considered sentinel animals in scientific research. This means that their exposure to harmful toxins and chemicals is often indicative of what humans are exposed to. What’s bad for our dogs and cats is ultimately bad for us too.

Our pets are not just accessories—they are beloved family members who deserve the same level of care and protection that we expect for ourselves. As pet owners, it’s our responsibility to demand safer alternatives, support businesses that prioritize pet health, and advocate for stronger regulations that protect our furry family members.

Given the lack of regulation, it’s essential for pet owners to push for change. Consider contacting local political leaders to advocate for stronger protections for pets. Demand the FDA regulate pet food carefully to ensure that the products we buy for our pets are safe. Vote for lawmakers who support pet-friendly legislation, and sign the Global Plastics Treaty. Just as we have safety regulations for food and consumer products, our pets deserve the same level of protection.

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org.

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In honor of National Education and Sharing Day, observed every April 9th since 1978, we reflect on the profound impact that education has on the future — especially in the fight against the climate crisis. 

At EARTHDAY.ORG, we know that climate education is essential to ensuring there is a livable future for generations to come. In recognition of this important day, here are 3 Key Takeaways from our report, “Climate Education vs the Climate Crisis”.   

1. Climate Education = A Powerful But Yet To Be Fully Tapped Tool

Climate education should be treated as a core climate solution. It not only eases student anxiety about climate change and builds reflexive sustainability skills (green muscle memory), but  also prepares students for the green job market they will one day enter. 

There is no career untouched by climate change. Whether you’re a meteorologist predicting and reporting weather patterns, or an architect designing structures that must adapt to changing environmental conditions, or a nurse or doctor treating new diseases triggered by changing weather and the spread of insect borne infectious diseases, or an insurance broker deciding whose homes and businesses to insure – understanding the changing climate is an essential skill in today’s workforce.. 

Students must be equipped with this climate based knowledge, or risk being left behind.

Despite being a high impact and low-cost, climate education receives a fraction of global climate financing. About 1% of international climate aid is spent on education, even though research shows that a well-informed public can significantly shift societal behaviors and political will toward sustainability. We need our leaders and our educators to speak up and get climate education into every classroom!

2. Hands-On Climate Education

In order for climate education to be successful, it must be a compulsory and core subject. As climate change affects us all, it would be a disservice if students could opt-out. We all must build green muscle memory in order to build a trul sustainable future.  

The only way to achieve this is to make it cross-curricular. What does that mean exactly? Well  currently, the approach to teaching about climate change happens mostly in science and geography classrooms. 

However, it’s essential to integrate climate education across all disciplines – from economics and history to art and literature. This holistic approach allows us to tackle climate change solutions from all perspectives and makes it unavoidable!

We often learn best by doing. Climate literacy should go beyond facts and figures and also foster skills for problem-solving, community engagement, and resilience. Which means it should be grounded in civic engagement through hands-on projects in every student’s own community, this way students can learn while making a real impact.  For example many schools have found success in working with students to build solar on their own schools and campuses, whereby students can learn through action. 

3. We Have a Plan: Policy, Funding & Teacher Training

To scale climate education globally, we need support from three key angles.

Firstly we need National Mandates for Climate Education. Why? Because integrating climate education into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) ensures that climate education is taken seriously in schools. At EARTHDAY.ORG, we work hard to advocate for the inclusion of climate education in these international commitments, lobbying governments and policy makers around the planet!. To track our progress, check out our one of a kind NDC tracker to see the status of climate education in different nations. Saint Lucia, the Maldives and Antigua and Barbuda have all just adopted EARTHDAY.ORG’s climate education language. 

We need dedicated funding streams because climate education taught at scale requires consistent and reliable financial support. 

Finally we need teacher training programs to empower educators. Training equips educators with the confidence, content knowledge, and pedagogical strategies needed to incorporate climate education into their classrooms effectively. At EARTHDAY.ORG, we provide free resources like The Schools Guide to Climate Education, our very own professional development tool designed to support teachers who are aiming to integrate climate topics into their own classes. 

Why All of This Matters

If we want to mobilize the next generation of scientists, engineers, bankers, business people, voters, and community leaders, climate education needs to be treated with the urgency, investment, and strategic thinking it deserves. Learn more about climate education by visiting our Climate Education webpage – to find our reports, free resources for educators, information about policy, and much more!

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org.

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National Love Our Children Day is a reminder to protect our youngest generation from the urgent threats they face. For decades, plastic was seen as a miracle material – cheap, durable, and harmless. Baby bottles, pacifiers, food containers, and toys filled nursery shelves without a second thought. 

But we now know that plastics are anything but inert. They shed tiny, invisible particles – microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics – that find their way into our air, water, food, and even our bodies. For babies, who are still developing and especially vulnerable, this exposure raises serious concerns. 

On November 23, 2023, EARTHDAY.ORG released a groundbreaking report titled Babies Vs. Plastics, that exposed just how deeply plastic pollution has infiltrated our bodies. As today marks National Love Our Children Day, we’re diving back into the latest research to see what’s changed, and what can be done to shield the next generation to this invisible danger. 

Before the First Steps

The Babies Vs. Plastics report highlighted that infants ingest 10 times more microplastics than adults, largely due to their daily interactions with plastic-based products. If this isn’t shocking enough, research indicates that exposure to microplastics can begin as early as the womb, with particles detected in the placenta itself.

A study conducted in 2022 found two types of microplastics in the placenta, both linked to oxidative stress, reproductive issues, and immune dysfunction. Earlier, a 2020 study found microplastics on both the maternal and fetal sides of the placenta, raising concerns that these particles could disrupt fetal development and increase the risk of pregnancy.

A pre-print paper released in February 2025 discovered that microplastic and nanoplastic pollution is significantly higher in placentas from premature births compared to those from full-term births. The study analyzed 100 placentas from full-term births and 75 from preterm births, finding 203 micrograms of plastics per gram of tissue in preterm placentas, compared to 130 µg/g in full-term placentas. This association suggests that microplastic accumulation could contribute to the occurrence of preterm birth, although further research is needed to confirm causation. ​

Plastics in Every Part of a Baby’s World

After birth, microplastic exposure continues at an alarming rate, especially through one of the most essential baby products: bottles. The Babies Vs. Plastics report revealed plastic baby bottles are a significant source of microplastic ingestion, plastic bottles can release millions of microplastic particles per day. Given that 80% of all baby bottles are made of plastic, this means the vast majority of infants are exposed to microplastics daily through the simple act of feeding.

The Babies Vs. Plastics report found that heating formula or breast milk in plastic bottles significantly increases the release of microplastics, with hotter temperatures breaking down plastic even further.

A study published in February 2025 expanded on this research, finding that heating plastic baby bottles releases even more plastic particles than previously thought. Specifically, when liquids were heated to 158°F, the bottles released up to 16 million microplastic particles per liter, whereas at room temperature or 77°F, the release was substantially lower.

Unsuspecting Microplastics

While bottles and food containers are well-known sources of microplastic contamination, the Babies Vs. Plastics report also highlights often-overlooked culprits like baby clothes and playgrounds.

With 69% of our clothing coming from oil-based plastics, we are exposed to fabrics constantly shedding microplastics. With many infant garments made from synthetic fabrics, babies are especially vulnerable to microplastic exposure. It also plays a major role in water contamination, as every wash cycle releases thousands of microplastic particles into the water supply, contributing to widespread pollution.

Playgrounds, another unexpected source of exposure, often contain rubberized flooring, artificial turf, and plastic play structures, all of which degrade over time and release microplastics into the environment.

The Babies Vs. Plastics report notes that crumb rubber, commonly used in playground surfaces, is made from recycled tires and can shed microplastic particles and toxic chemicals, including heavy metals and endocrine disruptors. As babies and toddlers crawl, play, and put their hands in their mouths, they risk ingesting these particles.

Invisible Threats

Since 1990, human microplastic consumption has increased sixfold, making everyday exposure seemingly unavoidable Because this surge in exposure is a relatively recent phenomenon, much remains to be studied about its long-term effects on human health, particularly in vulnerable populations like infants and pregnant individuals.

Emerging evidence highlighted in the Babies Vs. Plastics report suggests that microplastics may interfere with maternal-fetal communication and even cause DNA damage, raising concerns about their role in long-term health issues. Some studies have linked microplastic exposure to neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and autism, as well as behavioral and cognitive impairments in children.

Protecting Their Future

As we reflect on the findings of the Babies Vs. Plastics report, it’s clear that plastic pollution is not just an environmental crisis, it’s a direct threat to the health of our youngest and most vulnerable. From the womb to the playground, babies are exposed to microplastics in ways that were unimaginable just a generation ago. And while the full extent of the health consequences is still being studied, the evidence we have is already alarming.

Here’s What You Can Do To Get the Plastics Off Your Baby’s Menu

1. Don’t use plastic bottles – opt for alternatives like silicone or stainless steel. Safer materials reduce your baby’s exposure to microplastics and toxins!
2. Skip plastic teethers and toys – choose wood, natural rubbers, or silicone instead. 
3. Vacuum and sweep up a lot! Household dust which babies crawl around in –  is teeming with microfibers made of nylon and polyester which are PLASTICS!
4. Favor cotton, linen, hemp and bamboo based clothing and bedding. Unlike synthetic materials, these do not shed plastic microfibers, making them safer for your baby and better for the planet! 
5. Use toiletries labeled BPA- and phthalate-free, and keep ingredients minimal. Many conventional baby products are packed with unnecessary chemicals. When it comes to baby lotions, soaps, and shampoos, simpler is often safer.

On National Love Our Children Day, we are reminded that protecting future generations means more than just providing love and care, it means demanding safer environments, advocating for stronger regulations, and pushing for alternatives to the plastic-infused world our children are inheriting.

You can read the Babies Vs. Plastics here and our follow-up report, Pets Vs. Plastics. You can also take action by signing the Global Plastics Treaty which pushes world leaders to put people and the planet above an industry harming us all.

Join 30,000 others who refuse to accept the plastic industry’s deception. Every signature adds pressure on world leaders to take real, meaningful action. Sign today and be part of the movement to end the plastic crisis. 

And this year, there’s even more momentum behind the movement: to mark the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, EARTHDAY.ORG is launching the first-ever Earth Action Day on April 22. 

This new initiative is designed to shift the global conversation from awareness to action, providing people around the world with concrete steps to tackle the plastic crisis and other environmental challenges. It’s a timely reminder that lasting change starts with individual action, amplified through collective pressure.

Together, we can protect the next generation from inheriting a world overwhelmed by plastic. Let’s turn concern into commitment – on National Love Our Children Day, Earth Action Day, and every day in between.

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org.

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If you took high school physics, you may be familiar with Isaac Newton’s Third Law of Motion: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This principle was discovered in the 1600s, reminding us that every choice comes with a consequence.

While it’s most commonly applied to physical forces, it also mirrors the way our actions ripple through social and environmental systems. One striking example? Fast fashion. For every low price tag and trendy piece, there’s an equally impactful, often hidden, cost to the planet and its population, be it human or otherwise! 

For Every Action…

Fast fashion took off because it promises trendy clothes for unusually low prices. Brands can tap into our obsession with being on point but on a budget by creating super fast production and distribution processes that see runway knockoffs in the stores at lightning speeds. This allows ordinary people with ordinary incomes to participate in the latest trends, once reserved for far more affluent consumers. 

H&M and Zara were among the first to employ this accelerated business model and quickly became some of the most profitable in the fashion industry as a result.  In 2024, Zara and H&M were valued at respectively 17.8 billion US dollars and 13.6 billion US dollars. More recently, however, Shein has taken center stage in the world of fast fashion, leading the US garment market share by 50%. This is largely due to the brand’s enticingly low prices and clickable convenience – you can jump on the latest fashion trends without leaving your house OR breaking the bank. 

Shein’s growing dominance reflects a shift toward even faster production cycles and even more disposable fashion. 

But, according to Newton’s principle, these conveniences come at a cost – one that manifests in environmental destruction, worker exploitation, disease, and a culture of overconsumption. 

The Equal and Opposite Reactions…The Environment

The fashion industry is considered the one of the most polluting industries in the world, accounting for 2 to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, contributing to global warming, disrupting weather patterns, melting polar ice, rising sea levels, and intensifying natural disasters. 

In addition to carbon emissions, the process of synthetically dyeing clothes uses vast amounts of water and chemicals, which are often discharged into local waterways and eventually spread around the globe.

Fast fashion also creates mountains of waste. Because of the poor quality of these clothes and the quick turn-around rates of fashion trends, most people only wear their clothes 10 times before throwing them away. The fashion industry produces up to 100 billion garments a year and as much as a staggering 87% of them, that’s 92 million tons, will end up in landfills. Even thrift stores are overflowing with fast fashion products, once home to durable vintage items.

Workers

While low prices are attractive, there is a reason why fast fashion is so cheap. This business model maximizes labor output while minimizing costs and production time by relying on supply chains in the Global South that provide the low-cost labor fast fashion demands. Of the 75 million garment factory workers worldwide, less than 2% earn a living wage. 

On top of that, many are forced to work exhausting hours in unsafe conditions. The Rana Plaza disaster in 2013 exposed some of these harsh conditions. The factory owners discovered large structural cracks in the building and, despite warnings to evacuate, forced workers to continue making clothes. The next day, the eight-story building collapsed killing 1,134 people and injuring thousands.

The garment industry disproportionately relies on women, and in some regions they represent a staggering 80% of the workforce. This makes exploitation in fast fashion a deeply gendered issue, as these women are frequently subjected to mental and physical abuse as well as sexual harassment. A report by the Clean Clothes Campaign found that male managers often demand sexual favors from women in exchange for job security, contributing to a larger pattern of systemic abuse. 

Human Health

Believe it or not, the clothes you buy from Shein can potentially harm your health. Because nowadays, the vast majority of fast fashion, around 70%, are made of polyester – a cheap synthetic material. 

This plastic fabric is made from various chemicals derived from oil, a fossil fuel, and a range of plastic toxic chemicals. At every stage in production and consumption, polyester releases tiny pieces of plastic called microfibers. Because polyester is not biodegradable, these microfibers will stick around for hundreds of years and have contaminated our soil, our oceans, and our fresh waters. These microfibers and the toxic chemicals that leach from them have made their way inside our bodies. Studies have found these microfibers in human blood, lungs, hearts, umbilical cords, placenta, and breast milk. 

These microfibers, and microplastics, and the chemicals that leach from them, have been associated with a range of human health issues. From cancers, to heart attacks, strokes, infertility, miscarriage, endocrine issues, Alzheimer’s and more.

Overconsumption

Finally, our culture of overconsumption serves as both a consequence and a driving force behind these issues. We live in a world increasingly dominated by social media, where the pressure to consume has reached unprecedented levels. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok amplify the influence of celebrities and influencers, driving people to chase the latest fashions in an endless cycle of “must-haves.” 

The desire to ‘keep up’ fosters a stigma against rewearing outfits, encouraging individuals to treat clothing as disposable. Even seemingly lighthearted trends like ​​girl math perpetuate overconsumption by normalizing excessive spending and justifying impulsive purchases. This cultural mindset feeds the fast fashion machine, prioritizing fleeting trends over sustainability and fueling overconsumption. 

What Can You Do?

Despite the challenges posed by fast fashion, there is still hope for a more sustainable fashion future. Newton’s Third Law reminds us that for every harmful reaction, we can take an equally powerful, positive action. By making conscious choices, we can begin to shift the narrative. 

Choose quality over quantity, support brands that prioritize ethical labor practices, and embrace vintage style secondhand shopping and clothing shops. Advocate for systemic change by holding corporations accountable and demanding transparency in their supply chains. Most importantly, challenge the culture of overconsumption: rewear your clothes, repair them, and reject the notion that new is always better. 

Each of us has the power to disrupt the cycle and create a fashion industry that values people and the planet over profit. If you agree, take a look at our Fashion for the Earth campaign and read our Fashion Legislation Report. It brings together the most meaningful legislation recently adopted or being proposed in legislatures right now around the globe aimed at combating the worst excesses of the fashion industry. Make sure you are fully informed and most of all reject the notion that new is always better. 

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org.

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Plastics are all around — our clothes and carpets are made of plastic textiles like nylon and polyester, our technology is stuffed with plastics, our food is wrapped in it and our toiletries are made of the same chemicals used in plastic bottles. 

Of the more than 400 million tons of plastic that are produced each year, the vast majority is tossed away after just one use. This is why 20 million tons of plastics end up in the environment  every single year, causing severe ecosystem degradation and killing wildlife.

But last year, EARTHDAY.ORG helped to elevate another serious issue with plastics that had long been hiding behind plastic pollution headlines: their impact on human health. It turns out that plastic is NOT inert as plastic manufacturers had once assured us, but in fact degrades slowly over thousands of years, shedding microplastic particles and leaching toxic chemicals in the process. The plastics you can see are actually just the tip of the plastic crisis iceberg. 

All around us there is plastic that is invisible to the naked eye. It is in the air, in our water, in our soil, our food, house-dust and now it is inside all of us too. This is why the EARTHDAY.ORG theme for 2024 is Planet vs. Plastics — to drive awareness about the human health issues of our involuntary plastic consumption and hopefully enact change. 

On November 23, 2023, EARTHDAY.ORG published a meta-analysis report titled Babies vs. Plastics that outlines the history of plastic and how it became so prevalent in our society so quickly. The focus of the report is how plastic exposure impacts human health, with particular regard to babies.

Why babies? As it turns out, young children have a much higher risk of ingesting and inhaling microplastics due to their tendency to crawl on the ground, coming into contact with household dust laden with plastic particulates. Their development phase of putting everything into their mouths, including many products designed for babies that are specifically made of plastics — like bottles and teethers — also increases their chance of plastic exposure. In fact, the rate of ingestion and inhalation of microplastics of babies is ten times more than that of adults. 

The Babies vs. Plastics report highlighted how researchers have found microplastics in many different human organs, including the heart, lungs, urinary and gastrointestinal systems, as well as in human breast milk, placentas, and meconium, an infant’s first stool. 

There is evidence that early exposure to elevated concentrations of microplastics may be linked to conditions such as ADHD, autism, early onset puberty, and some cancers. And, just a year after the publication of EARTHDAY.ORG’s first plastic report, we have more evidence and an even clearer image of how plastics affect our bodies. 

A 2020 study in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, cited in the Babies report, asserted that humans could be ingesting up to 52,000 microplastic particles per year. A more  recent study, published in January 2024 – a few months after Babies Vs. Plastics was released, found between 10 and 100 times more plastic particles in bottled water than previous studies measured. In fact, they determined that a one liter of bottled water included, on average, about 240,000 microscopic pieces of plastic.  

Studies from 2023 on mice and fish, such as the one featured in the Babies report, found that microplastics that enter the bloodstream can also penetrate the “blood-brain barrier,” entering the brain itself and leading to visible behavior changes and cognitive decline. The exact effects of microplastics on the human brain is an area of ongoing research.   

If that was not alarming enough, in May 2024 — just 6 months after EARTHDAY.ORG’s Babies report — human brain samples were found to contain more shards of plastic than samples collected eight years prior, according to an online preprint (a study not yet peer-reviewed and published in a journal).

Another groundbreaking new study published in March 2024 made the discovery that patients with microplastic buildup in their carotid artery plaque were twice as likely to suffer from a heart attack or stroke than patients without. The researchers’ results provided some of the first direct evidence of the link between plastic and human health.  

In August 2024, the Minderoo Foundation released a pioneering study which provided a damning indictment of the impact of plastics on human health. Titled, an Umbrella Review: Impact of Plastic-Associated Chemical Exposure on Human Health, the report collated the best evidence to date of peer reviewed plastic research as it relates to human health, as well as outlined recommendations for policymakers and regulators. 

It is clear that the evidence is mounting regarding the devastating impact of plastics on human health — at all stages of the human life cycle — and the Babies report is already in need of updating. 

So How Can You Cut Your Plastic Intake?

On an individual level, there are several ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from exposure to microplastics and toxic chemicals. One of the more obvious steps you can take is simply to limit access to  plastic objects — children’s toys in particular. Not only is it safer for children to be surrounded by less plastic, it has been shown that kids who have fewer toys are better able to focus and play creatively anyway!

You can also reduce your exposure to plastic particles by sweeping or vacuuming your home as much as possible, as dust is full of plastic fibers. In addition, choose your cosmetics carefully and limit your use, as many contain plastic chemicals like phthalates. Finally, when purchasing clothing, try to avoid polyester, a textile used widely in fast fashion. Polyester is made of plastic and sheds microplastic fibers that you could end up inhaling or, if you use a washing machine, will rinse into the water supply and potentially be ingested by marine life.

The contamination of our water supply is an important issue, as it is believed that diet is the main source of exposure to micro- and nanoplastics.  Microplastics can build up in the bodies of many different organisms, a process known as “bioaccumulation,” through ingestion, inhalation, and even skin absorption. Microplastics in the air, soil and water are ingested by plants, fish, shellfish and other small animals, and are even sometimes inadvertently fed to livestock through polyethylene roughage. All of this plastic eventually works its way up the food chain and into our own bodies. 

So, being cognitive of what you eat is critical. Avoid eating too much red meat, as there is growing evidence that it contains plastic particles, or shellfish, which consume microplastics which then remain in their digestive tracts. Fish too can carry high levels of microplastics, in addition to other toxic substances like mercury. It is important, therefore, to buy responsibly, opting for sustainably and ethically sourced products. The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch has published a guide to sustainable seafood that is a great place for conscious consumers to start. 

Some studies have found that leafy vegetables contain less microplastics than root vegetables, so opt to include them in your recipes. Also, avoid microwaving your food in plastic containers because the heat releases plastic chemicals, like BPA, directly into your food. Finally, if possible avoid drinking from plastic bottles!

The single most important thing that all of us can do to tackle the plastic health crisis is to call for our representatives and legislators to curb global plastic production. If you too believe in a safe, plastic-free future and want to get involved, join EARTHDAY.ORG’s End Plastics campaign and consider donating so we can continue speaking out against plastics. 

You can read the Babies Vs. Plastics here and our follow-up report, Pets Vs. Plastics. We will soon be releasing our third report, People Vs. Plastics on how the plastic industry uses PR and clever delay tactics to protect their profits and avoid accountability. But most easily of all, you can sign our Global Plastics Treaty Petition and make your voice heard before the final stages of the UN Global Plastic Treaty Negotiations, INC-5, that are taking place in Busan, South Korea, in early December. Please sign and demand meaningful action on plastic production. Let’s end the plastic crisis.

The post Babies vs. Plastic: A Year On, What’s Changed? appeared first on Earth Day.

On September 4, 2024, the World Bank released their groundbreaking report, two years in the making, on climate education: Choosing Our Future: Education for Climate Action.  At 149 pages long it is a bumper read, but in the interests of cheat-reading, I picked out some of the headline findings that most interested me, and hopefully you too. 

Climate Education = Green Skills = Good Jobs

In Brazil, an average of 25 percent of the skills demanded in the food and beverage industry are green, while 17 percent are required in creative industries. This highlights the growing need for green skills across various sectors, not just traditional “green” industries.

A global green transition would require green skilled workers for an estimated 100 million new jobs,  India alone could create up to 35 million new green jobs by 2047.

What is more, they found that In South Asia, workers in green jobs earn about  31 percent more than other workers.

Remember that “green skills” are broad too. They include technical knowledge, STEM, sector-specific, non-technical, socio-emotional, and cross-sectoral skills. In Egypt, India, and Kenya, less than half of the online postings for “green jobs” needed a STEM skill. 

These skills are not just for “new” jobs but also for augmentation of existing jobs. Green transitions will need some new skills for new jobs. But more importantly they will need additional skills for existing jobs. Nearly 76 percent of businesses in Indonesia report. Any job or any sector can become greener with the right set of skills. In Brazil, on average 25 percent of the skills demanded for jobs in the food and beverage service industries are green, as are 17 percent of the skills demanded for jobs in creative industries.

Nearly 80 percent of global business leaders believe that green skills will be the most important driver of the green transition. 

Student Behavior Changed — And Parental Behavior Did Too

A meta-analysis of 169 studies across 43 countries found that environmental education significantly improved environmental knowledge, attitudes, intentions, and self-reported behavior. In India, for example, climate-related outreach to children not only increased their pro-climate behavior but also increased the pro-climate behavior of their parents by nearly 13 percent. Parents are much more receptive to climate-messaging when it’s done with or through their children. 

In the U.S., providing middle-school children with climate education led to higher levels of climate change concern among parents. Politically conservative parents showed the largest gains in climate change concern and daughters were the most effective in building this concern among parents. 

In the UK, recycling rates increased by 8.6 percent when students shared lessons in waste education with their parents.  

A one-year university course on global climate change reduced individual carbon emissions by 2.86 tons of CO2 per year for the average course graduate. Overall it is estimated that financing education in low- and lower-middle-income countries could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 51.48 gigatons (a gigaton is one billion tons) by 2050

Students Don’t Know Enough

While approximately 88 percent of Bangladeshi secondary students want to do something about climate change, only 32 percent could correctly answer a basic question about greenhouse gasses. Ironically, climate change knowledge among young people was found to be lowest in lower-middle- and low-income countries – often in countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change – such as Pakistan (19 percent), Sierra Leone (26 percent) and Bangladesh (37 percent). 

It’s not just students. Teachers are tackling climate topics in the classroom but do not always have the training to do it accurately or effectively. Nearly 87 percent of teachers across six low-and middle-income countries reported including climate topics in their lessons. However, nearly 71 percent answered at least one basic climate related question incorrectly!

… But They Want to Know More

Around 68 percent of youth across eight low- and middle-income countries believe students should start learning about climate change before secondary school. 

If given the opportunity to take additional classes in secondary school on climate education, 33 percent stated that they would want to learn about climate solutions and green skills, a higher share than those interested in learning about AI.

… And So Do Their Teachers

86 percent of US teachers believed climate change should be taught in classrooms, however more than half do not cover it in their classrooms and further, 65 percent believe it to be outside their subject area.

Evidence from the aftermath of the 2022 floods in Pakistan found that approximately 97 percent of parents support climate change education in schools. Among education policymakers too, across 33 low-and middle-income countries, 98 percent support the inclusion of climate education in schools.

Similarly, although over 58,000 teachers from 144 countries and territories agreed that teaching about climate change is important, less than 40 percent felt confident doing so, and only about a third believed they could effectively explain its local effects.

Around 44 percent of policymakers interviewed agree that climate change is a priority for the education sector and 81 percent believe education systems and processes need to be revised to address climate change and to prepare for the green transition.

Education Beats Misinformation

Studies show that people with less education are more likely to believe in and share misinformation and yet UNESCO’s review of national curriculum frameworks across 100 countries has found that 47 percent of frameworks have no mention of climate change.

We need to do better. We need climate education on every school curriculum worldwide so that classrooms can play their part in mitigating climate change and creating a skilled work-force ready to meet the challenges a changing planet presents.  In the meantime EARTHDAY.ORG has created a free School Guide to Teaching Climate Change, to help teachers get climate education into their classrooms and our own report, Climate Education vs. The Climate Crisis outlines more about why we think it matters so much.

The World Bank’s  report calls for urgent action to adapt education systems for greater resilience and to harness the power of education to propel climate action. It outlines specific policy recommendations, including investing in foundational skills and STEM education, mainstreaming climate curriculum, building teacher capacity, and fostering adaptable workers and systems.

The report emphasizes the need to embed education into climate policy and climate into education policy, highlighting that tackling climate change requires changes to individual beliefs, behaviors, and skills, and education can be a powerful force to achieve these changes.

There’s much to do, but this report underscores the planet-saving power of climate education!

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