In response to increased demand for renewable energy, the fossil fuel industry is shifting a substantial portion of its use of oil and gas from energy production to the creation of petrochemicals, including plastics. Despite the growing awareness of the profound climate impacts and health hazards associated with petroleum-derived materials, the petrochemical industry continues to grow. The resulting industry buildout continues to disproportionately harm low-income communities and communities of color, who are also exposed to toxic chemicals at higher rates and face the greatest threats from climate change. The corporations most responsible for global warming and plastic pollution are also promoting false solutions to managing these crises, like burning plastic and calling it “recycling”. But from organizations working on toxic chemicals to those focused on plastic pollution and climate change, our movement is onto them. CEH is expanding our longstanding work at the intersection of petrochemicals, plastics, and climate change. In 2022, we’re launching projects at two key leverage points in the petrochemical lifecycle: 1) reducing plastic consumption, and 2) undermining the oil, gas and plastic industry’s attempt to exonerate itself from the plastic waste crisis by expanding, and greenwashing, the harmful practice of plastic incineration. CEH has a strong history of advising public and private institutions to select environmentally preferable products, including foodware, furniture, flooring and electronics. Through our PPC Program, we will expand this work by supporting institutions like businesses, schools and government agencies to reduce their use of plastics. This will help them shrink both their chemical and climate footprints. In response to the growing plastic pollution crisis, the petrochemical industry is trying to advance several false solutions to plastic waste management, including practices like so-called “chemical recycling”, which—in reality—mostly takes the form of harmful plastic incineration. CEH will bring our science, communications, policy, and community engagement expertise to our work with allies to expose industry deceptions and support efforts at local, state, and federal levels to shut down “chemical recycling” and advance safer solutions. Stay tuned for more news on the rollout of this program.