#FOAMFREE
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
[Contact Name]
[Contact Email]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[YOUR COMMUNITY] PLEDGES TO GO #FOAMFREE!
[Your City, Your State] (Month Year)—With [number of supporters] pledging support, [city] may ban polystyrene by [date] as part of a
national #foamfree campaign started by the 5 Gyres Institute, a non-profit based in Los Angeles California.
In this case, the word “foam” is used to represent polystyrene and expanded polystyrene foam—better known as “Styrofoam.” These
plastics are both made from styrene, which was found “anticipated to be a human carcinogen” by the National Toxicology Program in
2011 and listed as a carcinogen under California’s Proposition 65 in 2016. The Environmental Protection Agency ranks Styrofoam
manufacturing as the fifth worst global industry in terms of hazardous waste creation.
[activist names] became involved in [date] and engaged more than [number of supporters] to support a polystyrene in [city]. The idea is
also supported by [stakeholders names].
[STAKEHOLDER AND/OR ACTIVIST QUOTE]
Styrofoam and polystyrene products—from containers and cups to lids and cutlery—can be identified by the number “6” in the chasing
arrow symbol on the bottom. Studies have shown that styrene can migrate from containers into food and drinks when it comes in
contact with fatty or acidic foods—like coffee or take out. Styrofoam and polystyrene are difficult to recycle and are even banned from
many recycling programs because of contamination programs. The EPA reports that less than 2% of polystyrene was recycled in 2013.
As a result, these plastics often end up in landfills and waterways. In 5 Gyres’ 2016 Plastics BAN List study found that these are some
of the most common forms of plastic pollution in the environment. More information can be found at www.5gyres.org/styrofoam.
ABOUT 5 GYRES
Beginning in 2010, the nonprofit 5 Gyres Institute began a series of scientific firsts by researching plastic in all five subtropical gyres, as
well as the Great Lakes and Antarctica. In 2014, the organization published the first global estimate of marine plastic pollution: 5.25 trillion
particles weighing in at 270,000 tons of “plastic smog” worldwide. 5 Gyres’ paper on plastic microbead pollution in the Great Lakes
inspired a two-year collaborative campaign that culminated in a federal ban, signed by President Obama in 2015. In 2017, 5 Gyres will
embark on its 18th Expedition, to research micro and nanoplastic pollution in the Arctic. More information is at www.5gyres.org.