Subject: 🌏📰 BFFP Newsletter: The 2023 Global Brand Audit report is live, one year after a toxic train derailment in the USA, and more stories

Latest News and Updates

February 14, 2024

Top Global Corporate Plastic Polluters of 2023

The 2023 Global Brand Audit Report is LIVE!

On 7 February, the 2023 Global Brand Audit Report launched, revealing the world's worst plastic polluters


In 2023, 250 brand audits were conducted by 8,804 volunteers in 41 countries. Together, they collected and audited 537,719 pieces of plastic waste. Participants from 97 civil society organizations documented 6,858 brands from 3,810 parent companies


Plastic polluting companies must be transparent about the quantities of single-use plastic they produce and the chemicals contained, urgently redesign their business models away from single- use packaging in order to dramatically reduce plastic use, and fully embrace reuse, refill and packaging- free product delivery systems.

An emptied, burned railcar from the train derailment disaster in early February 2023 im East Palestine, Ohio, U.S. (Photo: Nick Childers)

One Year After the Toxic Train Derailment Disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, U.S.

In early February 2023, dozens of Break Free From Plastic members and close allies were tragically harmed when a so-called “bomb train” derailed in the small village of East Palestine, Ohio, and the decision was made to burn 115,000 gallons (approx. 435,000 litres) of vinyl chloride – a toxic chemical used almost exclusively to make PVC plastics, which is identified as a carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) because it is known to cause cancer.


One year later, thousands of people living on the border of Ohio and Pennsylvania are still facing this ongoing disaster. There are serious concerns with how the wastewater is being treated, and leading experts are still raising the alarm. The EPA refuses to do indoor testing for people’s homes, so many individuals have serious concerns about the health impacts they’re experiencing inside their own homes.

Image credit: European Environmental Bureau, 2024

European Politicians Test Positive for PFAS

Break Free From Plastic member, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) alongside Swedish organisation, ChemSec, initiated blood testing of a group of high-level European politicians to check for the potential presence of toxic chemicals. Out of the eleven politicians tested from nine different countries, up to seven PFAS, otherwise known as ‘forever chemicals’, were found in each test sample. High levels of these chemicals can cause severe health issues, such as cancer, infertility and immune system disruptions. Despite the EU having some of the strongest chemicals regulations in the world, these test results demonstrate that no one is immune to widespread forever chemicals pollution. Stronger regulation is needed to control hazardous substances in consumer products such as cosmetics, packaging and food contact materials, among others.

One Year After the Toxic Train Derailment Disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, U.S.

A BFFP-AP member Vietnam Zero Waste Alliance partnered with Vietnam Television (VTV) for this groundbreaking documentary, "The Direction for Imported Plastic Waste." Despite efforts to manage domestic plastic waste, Vietnam's plastic scrap falls short of what's required for its burgeoning plastic production. This scarcity has turned Vietnam into a major destination for imported plastic waste from developed countries. The consequences are stark - environmental pollution, health risks, and detrimental impacts on ecosystems where processing occurs. This documentary sheds light on the complexities of the plastic waste trade and the urgent need for better solutions.

GAIA and BFFP Africa Members at the INC3 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of INC-3 on Africa For Zero Waste’s 5th Podcast

In this episode, Merrisa Naidoo (Africa Plastic Campaigner for GAIA and BFFP),; Ana Rocha (Global Plastics Policy Director for GAIA),; Mohamed Kamal (Co-Director of Greenish Foundation),; and Douglas Kaziro (Program officer for chemicals and waste management at BIVA) talk to host Sureshnie Rieder about their reflections from the third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. INC-3 took place in November of 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya.

GAIA and BFFP Africa Members at the INC3 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Join BFFP's Graphic Design and Social Media Best Practices Webinar

Join us for an engaging session where creativity meets strategy, and learn how to navigate different social media channels! Sign up for the webinars organized by the Break Free From Plastic Digital Team.

Graphic Design & Using BFFP Editable Graphics

Date: February 28, 2024

Time: 9:00pm Philippine ST,

8:00am ET, 2:00pm CET, 3:00pm CAT

Social Media Best Practices & Overview of Social Media Survey Results 

Date: March 7, 2024

Time: 9:00pm Philippine ST, 8:00am ET, 2:00pm CET, 3:00pm CAT

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