Moms Clean Air Force is working on three campaigns related to plastics, from toxic chemicals in our homes to large-scale industrial pollution:
“Chemical Recycling”
This misleading practice is greenwashing at its worst. In recent years, plastics industry lobbyists have been promoting an old incineration method as a new way to solve the plastic pollution crisis. They are calling the process “chemical recycling” or “advanced recycling,” even though nothing gets recycled. Instead, the trash that enters a so-called “chemical recycling” facility is burned, creating harmful air pollution. Learn More

"Chemical Recycling" 101

Letter to Congress About Federal Plastic Incineration Bill, September 19, 2022

"Advanced Recycling" Is Scary

"El reciclaje avanzado" es uno de los trucos más aterradores
Petrochemical Pollution
The ubiquity of plastics and other petrochemicals comes at a steep cost to our health, especially for those living near production and processing facilities. Most petrochemical production facilities are located in Texas and Louisiana, but there are others in virtually every state, including a growing number in the Ohio River Valley. In April 2023, EPA proposed standards to cut pollution from more than 200 of the biggest, most toxic chemical manufacturing facilities in the country. Thousands of Moms Clean Air Force members submitted comments to EPA during the spring 2023 public comment period, calling on the agency to strengthen the rule. We expect these standards to be finalized in late 2023.

What to Know About the Petrochemical Industry: Q&A

Letter to EPA About Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, July 31, 2023

Petrochemical Pollution
and Our Health
Vinyl Chloride
Vinyl chloride is a toxic petrochemical used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, a material used in all manner of household items from shower curtains to flooring to siding. Vinyl chloride is a known human carcinogen that causes liver cancer as well as leukemia, lymphoma, brain cancer, and lung cancer. Moms Clean Air Force is calling on EPA to ban vinyl chloride under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
WHY WE CARE
HEALTH IMPACTS
Chemicals in plastics have been linked to a range of health issues, including neurodevelopmental disorders, asthma, allergies, reproductive harm, endocrine disruption, and cancer. Burning plastics releases chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, and other serious health harms. These include benzene, cadmium, dioxins, arsenic, lead, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and mercury.
Plastics production is expected to triple
over the next 40 years.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Plastics are produced in some of the nation’s most underserved communities, blanketing neighborhoods in carcinogenic air pollution. Systemic racism has created practices that force people of color to live closer to industrial facilities and often in neighborhoods already overburdened by industrial air pollution. While air pollution is a threat to everyone, the impacts are not felt equally. For example, Black communities with greater exposure to air pollution have higher than average childhood asthma rates, and Black children have a 500% higher mortality rate from asthma than white kids.
BACK STORY
Moms Clean Air Force’s work on plastics and petrochemicals is a natural extension of our ten-plus years fighting pollution from fracking and methane. Plastic is made from ethane, a fracking by-product, and petrochemical manufacturing facilities are often located near existing oil and gas operations. In 2021, we supported the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, the most comprehensive plan ever introduced in Congress to address the plastic pollution crisis, and we will continue to work with Congress on solutions that address the environmental injustices created by the buildout of petrochemical facilities in communities of color and low-income communities.
Moms Clean Air Force also supports state-based efforts to cut pollution from petrochemical facilities. Our organizers in the Ohio River Valley, Louisiana, and Texas are demanding that their elected officials and agencies show leadership in holding these facilities accountable.
More Articles and Resources

Ask Mom Detective: Are Dishwasher Pods OK for the Environment?

The Plastics Industry Must Be Held Accountable: Stop Endangering Our Families’ Health

Misti Allison Inspires Moms Across the Nation to “Find a Way”

Harnessing Mom Power to Create Local Change

The Plastic Industry’s Scariest Trick

“Chemical Recycling” Is Not the Solution to Plastic Pollution

Toxic Vinyl Chloride in Children's Toys Must be Banned

Lessons from Hosting a Podcast on Plastics and Petrochemicals

Meeting the Moment: How Moms Are Fighting for Seven Important EPA Rules

Moms Are in Washington to Tell EPA to Ban Vinyl Chloride

Keep Vinyl Chloride Out of Communities

“A New War on Cancer” Focuses on Prevention, Especially for Children

"Chemical Recycling" 101

Vinyl Chloride 101

Dioxins 101

What to Know About the Petrochemical Industry: Q&A

Moms Attend Senate Hearing About Ohio Train Disaster

PFAS 101

"Advanced Recycling"

Petrochemical Pollution
and Our Health

Ethane Cracker Plants

Información básica sobre el reciclaje químico

"El reciclaje avanzado" es uno de los trucos más aterradores

A Plastic People: Petrochemicals, Climate Change, and Our Health, Episode 5

Tell President Biden and EPA: Move Quickly to Finalize Strong Pollution Protections

Tell Congress: Protect Our Families From Plastic Incineration Pollution

Tell EPA: Ban Dangerous Vinyl Chloride

Tell EPA: Protect Our Communities From Plastics Incineration Pollution

Tell President Biden and EPA: Protect People From Plastics Industry Pollution

Tell EPA: Plastic Is Not a Biofuel

"Chemical Recycling" 101

Vinyl Chloride 101

Dioxins 101

What to Know About the Petrochemical Industry: Q&A

Moms Attend Senate Hearing About Ohio Train Disaster

PFAS 101

"Advanced Recycling"

Petrochemical Pollution
and Our Health

Ethane Cracker Plants

Información básica sobre el reciclaje químico

Ask Mom Detective: Are Dishwasher Pods OK for the Environment?
