microplastics

How can Chicago help curb Lake Michigan microplastic pollution?

Every year, 11.6 million pounds of plastic trash makes its way into Lake Michigan, Chicago’s largest source of drinking water. Even as the city tries to tackle this issue, it means that microplastics — the tiniest pieces — pass through the cities’ filtration systems and into our faucets. Researchers have found that ingesting plastics can have detrimental […]

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The plastic we drink: How can Chicago help curb Lake Michigan microplastic pollution?

“This is a huge problem that we need to address at a systemic level,” said Gabby Plotkin, senior policy manager at Illinois Environmental Council.  Right now, she added, municipal filters can’t remove microplastics. “The only way to do that would be on an individual level like buying a filter that particularly addresses microplastics,” Plotkin said.

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Illinois lawmakers consider banning plastic bags for large retailers

Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, has been working for more than 12 years on the bill to reduce the use of plastic bags. She believes this is the year it will make it across the finish line. “(Plastic bags) are a huge percentage of litter,” Walling said. “They clog infrastructure, they’re

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Plastic is in your brain. Researchers and advocates still aren’t sure how that impacts health

Whether you’re a hot cup of tea and meditate kind of person or a toss the leftover pizza in the microwave kind of person, you probably ate plastic this morning. Tiny plastic particles called microplastics easily find their way into the things we eat and drink — and there’s little you can do to avoid

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Plastic Pollution in Chicago

Over the past few years, Illinois has seen plastic waste reduction legislative victories in Springfield. Advocates in its largest city, Chicago, seek to implement similar legislation to protect Lake Michigan and other water resources from dangerous microplastic pollution.

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Water and Waste Town Hall

Tuesday, November 22 | 6-7:30 pm | Register via Zoom using the form below IEC is hosting a series of three town halls for our supporters. At the Clean Water and Waste Town Hall, participants will hear from IEC and our partners on the most pressing issues facing Illinois and our current advocacy plans. We’re

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Advocates Introduce Chicago City Ordinance to Combat Plastic Pollution

Aldermen, environmental groups, and consumer advocates bring the fight for plastic-free water to the Chicago City Council CHICAGO –Today, Alderman Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) announced the introduction of comprehensive legislation tackling the pervasive problem of plastic pollution in Chicago waterways and the Great Lakes. Alderman Waguespack was joined by organizations in support of the ordinance

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