So let’s build an urgent worldwide campaign with a single clear message: stop dumping plastic in paradise!

Dear friends,

This is unbelievable -- western governments are dumping millions of tonnes of plastic waste on developing countries instead of recycling it!

We’ve all seen shocking pictures of paradise beaches choked with plastic waste. But I bet none of us knew the plastic could be from Europe, the US, and Canada!

Right now, in a bid to tackle this scandal, a summit in Geneva is deciding whether to stop the export of plastic to countries that can't process it.

There’s huge support for the idea, but big business and powerful governments like the Trump administration are trying to block it. Champions say a massive show of public support could make the difference, and will take our voices into the room in 48 hours -- so let’s speak out urgently with a single clear message: stop dumping plastic in paradise!

Sign to stop plastic dumping ->

Plastic is literally choking our oceans. Everywhere we look we see the carnage -- dead whales washing up with stomachs full of plastic, seabirds suffocating, turtles drowning in plastic nets. And most of the plastic enters the sea in developing countries without strong recycling systems.

Which is why it’s so INSANE that rich countries are shipping their plastic waste to some of these exact countries!

Now we have a chance to change it. A coalition of countries led by Norway is pushing to add plastic to a deal on hazardous waste, meaning it couldn’t be exported unless there were safeguards it would be properly processed, and giving poorer countries the right to refuse it.

We can’t solve the plastic crisis engulfing our oceans while using pristine coastlines as a global plastic dump. The decision will be made in days -- so join now to tell our governments: stop dumping plastic in paradise!

Sign to stop plastic dumping

Our movement has fought the scourge of plastic pollution again and again. We’ve helped win bans on plastic bags, funded clean up plans on polluted rivers, and delivered a giant call to ban throwaway plastics to the UN. Now we need to rise to defend our oceans again.


With hope and determination,

Risalat, Rewan, Bert, Iain, Spyro, Alex, Rosa, and the rest of the Avaaz team

More information:

The world's recycling is in chaos. Here's what has to happen (Wired)
https://www.wired.com/story/the-worlds-recycling-is-in-chaos-heres-what-has-to-happen/ 

Norwegian proposal to place trade controls on waste plastics gains support (Resource)
https://resource.co/article/norwegian-proposal-place-trade-controls-waste-plastics-gains-support-12823 

America’s new recycling crisis, explained by an expert (Vox)
https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/4/2/18290956/recycling-crisis-china-plastic-operation-national-sword

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