CLEVELAND, OHIO — Today 30 Ohio residents and individuals representing a coalition of environmental and community groups protested the Plastics World Recycling Expo in a passionate, organized effort to protect their communities and the environment from the dangers and injustices of petrochemical pollution. The group gathered at the Free Stamp and marched around the convention center twice where inside an expo is taking place featuring more than 350 companies across the plastics industry as well as the colocated expos — the Plastic Extrusion World Expo, Compounding World Expo, and the Polymer Testing World Expo .
“We are tired of being fed corporate driven solutions to the plastic crisis as petrochemical companies ignore reality,” says Ditte Wolin with Th!rd Act Ohio. “The only way to address the plastics crisis is to stop making plastic. Anything less is to continue to harm communities across the plastic life cycle and contribute to global climate catastrophe”
Ohio and the greater Ohio River Valley region are currently on the frontlines of chemical recycling proposals with 2 operational facilities in Ohio and 9 proposed across Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. While recycling has been touted as a solution to the plastic crisis in truth the plastics recycling industry has deep historical ties to the plastic production and fossil fuel industries and, despite claiming to prioritize sustainability, depends on the continued production of plastic waste from petrochemicals in order to maintain its profit margins.
The technologies, collectively and erroneously referred to as “chemical recycling” and “advanced recycling” technology, often involve plastic incineration—which releases more greenhouse gasses per unit burned than fossil fuels—and rely on a constantly replenished supply of plastic waste as a feedstock. These facilities, which are disproportionately located in lower-income neighborhoods and neighborhoods of color, also pose major public health risks to nearby communities through the release of air and water pollution.
Today’s protest highlighted community concerns with these new proposals featuring speeches from:
- Mel, People Over Polymers
- Sea S-M, InterReligious Task Force on Central America
- Marge, Save Ohio Parks
- Cheryl Johncox, People Over Petro
- Mary Beth Naim, Th!rd Act Ohio
- Ivery Williams and Faye Moledina, Laurel School
“I believe industry should be held accountable to rules & regulations in the same way our citizens must follow rules. I want citizens of Akron to be able to breathe our air deeply, drink water without fear, and grow crops in soil that isn’t contaminated. The facilities we oppose in East Akron and elsewhere have escaped these statutes for long enough, and it’s time for them to face consequences. Our citizens deserve much more protection from the pollution and explosion risks posed by their daily operations. ‘People Over Polymers’ and I want to see that happen”, says Mel with People Over Polymers.
“On the heels of the 2024 general election actions like the one taken today have only grown in importance. In the face of a federal administration that has historically strong ties to the fossil fuel industry today is a reminder that organizing across Rustbelt and Appalachian communities remains crucial in our fight for a more just tomorrow. No matter what happens at the federal level our communities will continue to organize and fight for the clean air and water we deserve”, says Bailey Fullwiler with People Over Petro Coalition.
Today’s rally comes just weeks before the final round of the Global Plastic Treaty negotiations taking place in Busan, South Korea. While the United States delegation recently announced a position shift to support reducing plastic production, the United States continues to support the concept of plastic circularity including chemical recycling. The speakers emphasized the importance of government action from local resolutions to international plastic negotiations and encouraged attendees to continue to engage elected officials to oppose chemical recycling and plastic circularity.
Buckeye Environmental Network joined by People Over Petro Coalition, Coalition of Ohioans Against Polluting Technologies, The Climate Reality Project, Break Free From Plastic, People Over Polymers, SOBE Concerned Citizens, Third Act Ohio, and Earthworks .