We have some exciting news. Starting on February 20, leaders from around the world will meet at the United Nations, where — after nearly 20 years of negotiations — they could finalize one of the most important protection measures in ocean history: the High Seas Treaty. We’ve been doing everything we can to move the treaty forward, which is why Only One is teaming up with Greenpeace, the High Seas Alliance, RISE UP, and Jane Fonda to deliver our High Seas petition to key decision-makers at the start of the conference. But in order to maximize our impact and secure the future of our ocean through this treaty being agreed, we need your help to raise the volume on this effort to new levels. Add your name to the High Seas petition — we are so close to reaching our goal of 200,000 signatures.
Right now, companies are creating crushing amounts of plastic pollution, and New Yorkers are forced to bear the costs. But two new plastics bills could change that and hold manufacturers — not taxpayers — accountable for the pollution they produce.
An unraveling crisis
New York generates more than 17 million tons of municipal solid waste annually, almost one ton per person. Less than one quarter of that waste is recycled. The rest chokes landfills, public spaces, beaches, and waterways. In just one example, studies estimate that at any given moment, 165 million plastic particles are floating in New York Harbor.
Aside from being a major threat to biodiversity, human health, and quality of life, the cost of managing an ever-growing pile of waste is not cheap. Unclear labeling on plastic products and mixed material goods make separating the recyclable from the non-recyclable an expensive challenge, costing taxpayers hundreds of millions annually.
