This autumn we hosted the Fall of Plastics, a 3-part lecture series centered around the need to radically reduce plastics in our lives. From their significant carbon emissions, to bringing toxics into our bodies, to creating waste that is accumulating exponentially each day, petroleum based plastic materials need to be questioned.
If you listened to Season 2 of the Trace Material Podcast, you’ll remember hearing how the social history of plastics has created our plasticized present. And, we know it does not have to be that way in the future. These three events addressed what plastics do to our bodies and our environment and how we can make changes to reduce their presence in our homes.
In the first event we heard about a healthier alternative to plastic flooring with Duracryl. The second event was a conversation with Pete Myers from Environmental Health Sciences, which will become a bonus episode in season 2 of the Trace Material Podcast. The third event questioned luxury vinyl tile through research addressed by experts from Center for Environmental Health and Material Research L3C.
We hope the conversations from this fall continue to inspire global efforts towards designing healthier lives for all people on our planet.
Oct 20 12:00 ET Duracryl, A Healthier Resilient Floor
Presented by Duracryl, from their manufacturing facility in Rotterdam, Netherlands
“Something we find with the PVC producers is that they say that their products are recyclable--but making a toxic product recyclable doesn't do the job.” -Jeroen van den Berg, Duracryl
Nov 10 12:00 ET Trace Material LIVE! with Pete Myers
Unpeeling the Layers of Plastic Toxicity
Conversation with Founder and Chief Scientist of Environmental Health Sciences
Nov 17 12:00 ET What’s so Luxurious about Luxury Vinyl Tile?
New findings on carbon, toxic chemicals, and other environmental concerns across PVC's lifecycle.
Presented by Center for Environmental Health, Material Research L3C, and Autocase
The research paper will be shared once it is released.
“We encourage you to demand that manufacturers be more transparent about their supply chains, so that designers can make informed decisions about what we purchase. Finally, we hope that you'll help spread the word to your colleagues and clients that vinyl tile is anything but luxurious.” Judy Levin, Center for Environmental Health
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