Our Mission
The Plastic Pollution Prevention Team seeks to drastically reduce and ultimately remove unnecessary plastic products known to harm the environment and public health.
Current Campaigns
Natural Plants and Grass, Not Plastic
In urban, suburban and open area landscapes we promote drought tolerant plants that support local fauna in place of artificial turf. We ask our members to write letters to their local and state elected officials, and to make public comments at relevant public government meetings.
Drought tolerant, pollinator friendly yard
Plastic turf strip
On athletic fields we advocate for keeping functional drought tolerant grasses on sports fields in place of plastic carpeting.
“We are proud to have some of the nicest fields in the Central Valley … We water all our fields with recycled water from our drains that is also used in our five ponds on campus.” Steven Flowers, Associate Director of Athletics @ Stanislaus State University
Fremont High School, Worn out football field plastic turf, August 2023
Actions
National
Support the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act authored by Oregon Senator Merkley and California Congressman Huffman. This bill would "reduce plastic production, establish ambitious recycling targets, and protect communities" from health and environmental burdens, and shift the burden of cleanup to plastic producing corporations.
Add your name! https://tinyurl.com/SCplasticAction
Local
Sign a Petition to the Santa Clara Board of Supervisors from Mothers Out Front Silicon Valley to swiftly approve a draft ordinance prohibiting the installation of new artificial turf (plastic grass) on County-owned property, and to reject attempts to grandfather in projects under discussion. For more information see this letter to the Supervisors from both Green Foothills and the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter.
Plus! We ask our members to write letters to their local and state elected officials, and to make public comments at relevant public government meetings.
Links
Environmental Harm
- Petrochemical Production Continues to Climb
- Valley Water Plastic Turf Information Sheet
- Huge Amount of Plastic Turf Winds Up in the Sea
- PFOS - a PFAS 'forever chemical' - Found in Plastic Turf at Home Depot, Lowes
- NPR/KQED Discuss Greenwashing
Public Health Harm
- Santa Clara County Medical Association Letter to School Districts
- Microplastics Linked to Higher Risk of Heart Attacks and Stroke
Alternatives
Contact: Susan Hinton susan.hinton*lomaprieta.sierraclub.org