The Plastic Recycling Scam - with Dr. Veena Singla

The plastic industry is desperately trying to convince us that they can recycle plastic. Too bad it doesn't work.

This week on Green Street, Patti and Doug talk about the link between plastic food containers and heart disease, how climate change is threatening drinking water, and how RFK’s promise to regulate hazardous chemicals by getting rid of corporate influence will sit with the corporate cronies President Trump has selected to staff the EPA. Then Columbia University’s Dr. Veena Singla talks about her career studying the various methods being used by the plastic industry to try to make their products seem sustainable. 

The Plastic Recycling Scam with Dr. Veena Singla

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Links from the Interview

Dr. Singla's page at the Sustainable Packaging Coalition: https://sustainablepackaging.org/people/veena-singla/

The Burning Truth Behind Chemical Recycling (video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJGDCCgELMk

Links from the News Eating from plastic containers may increase the risk of heart disease: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/12/plastic-food-containers-heart-failure

Climate change is putting drinking water a risk: https://e360.yale.edu/features/climate-change-drinking-water

RFK has his work cut out for him working with the EPA: https://www.eenews.net/articles/can-trump-make-america-healthy-again-with-this-epa/

The Loneliness of MCS

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) can mean a lifetime of discomfort, exclusion and loneliness.

This week on Green Street, Patti and Doug discuss the health hazards of tatoos (the inks can be toxic) and the plight of minority communities in the area of Texas called "Cancer Alley." Then Dr. Ann McCampbell and Susie Molloy discuss their battles with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS),and how they have learned to live with this often debilitating condition.

Green Street - Loneliness of MCS

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Links from the interview:

• Summary of MCS:https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/multiple-chemical-sensitivity

• Dr. Ann McCampbell:https://annmccampbellmd.com/

• Effects of chemical sensitivities (study) :https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335518300457

Links from the news:

• Tattoos linked to lymphoma risks:https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2024/06/06/tattoos-linked-to-21-higher-risk-of-malignant-lymphoma-new-study-says/

• "Cancer Alley" residents are facing more than a lifetime exposure limit of carcinogens:https://www.ehn.org/cancer-alley-ethylene-oxide-2668508581.html

Pipelines Filled with Trouble - with Justin Nobel

Highly toxic and radioactive fracking waste is being transported through makeshift pipelines with no government oversight. What could go wrong?

This week on Green Street, Patti and Doug talk about petrochemical plants dumping toxins in the nearby water, how Cambodian brick factories burning plastic clothes for fuel are making workers sick, and how wildfires in California are creating toxic air and debris from burning plastic structures, furnishings and personal items. Then investigative reporter Justin Nobel talks about the secret network of unregulated pipelines in fracking country carrying highly toxic and radioactive waste to unknown destinations. 

Green Street - Justin Nobel podcast

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Links from the Interview

The Secret Pipelines Carrying Toxic Fracking Waste: https://www.desmog.com/2024/12/23/josh-shapiro-seneca-resources-whistleblower-demands-pennsylvania-gov-fix-completely-unregulated-fracking-wastewater-network/

Big Oil's Dangerous Radioactive Secret: https://www.desmog.com/2024/04/24/petroleum-238-fracking-big-oil-dangerous-secret-justin-noble-ohio-west-virginia-toxic-waste/

Links from the News

Petrochemical plants pour millions of pounds of pollutants into water: https://www.ehn.org/petrochemical-plants-send-pollutants-into-waterways-2670496106.html

Cambodian brick kilns powered by synthetic clothing scraps: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68102771

Wildfires and burning plastic: https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/blog/2025/1/17/plastic-chemicals-in-wildfire-smoke-and-how-to-protect-yourself