September 7, 2005 Heinz Center Co-sponsors Plastic Debris: Rivers to Sea Conference
The Heinz Center, along with the Algalita Marine Research Foundation and the California Coastal Commission, co-sponsored the Plastic Debris: Rivers to Sea conference held September 7-9, 2005 in Redondo Beach, California. SOCW program director Sheila David, who organized the conference with Miriam Gordon of the California Coastal Commission, moderated several panels. The Heinz Center helped bring together international participants leading the development of innovative solutions to the plastic debris problem.
Heinz Center Trustee William McDonough and Philippe Cousteau of EarthEcho International were keynote speakers. Charles Moore, founder of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation in Long Beach, California, also presented at the conference. He became a leading figure in the plastic marine pollution debate after his initial research, which found six times as much plastic as plankton, by weight, in parts of the Pacific Ocean, jump-started the debate about marine litter and polymers.
Plastic industry participants at the conference affirmed the industry’s increasing commitment to solving the marine plastic litter problem. The industry has already proposed actions for the City of Los Angeles focused on reducing plastic bag usage by consumers. The California Film Extruders and Converters Association has developed an environmental audit it is marketing as a “green seal of approval.” Additionally, the Progressive Bag Alliance has begun printing bags with anti-litter messages and is talking with Los Angeles officials about funding a citywide public education campaign.