Section outline

  • Overview and Objectives

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    • Plastic pollution harms the climate, wildlife, ecosystems, and human health.  It is estimated that of the 14 000 tons of waste generated daily in US health care facilities, about 20% to 25% is plastic. Yet, the majority of plastics, including those used in health care, are not recycled and have created a plastics crisis for our environment. This webinar will provide an overview of the health harms from plastics and how plastic is a hazard at every stage of its life cycle - beginning with extraction of the coal, oil and gas from which nearly all plastics are made, production and use, and to the disposal of plastic waste. Speakers will also discuss how medically unnecessary plastics in the healthcare sector are contributing to the plastics crisis.

      Learning Objectives:

      1. Describe the health harms from single-use plastics.
      2. Discuss the life cycle of plastics including extraction, production, use and disposal and the potential health harms across the lifespan.
      3. Identify opportunities to reduce plastics use in the healthcare sector.

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    If you attended this session live, click Next to complete the course evaluation and post-test. 

  • Evaluation and Post-test

    In order to receive 1 Nursing Continuing Education (CE) credit, you must complete the course evaluation and receive at least an 80% on the course post-test.

  • Certificate

  • Next Steps

      1. A global Plastics Treaty is currently being negotiated. The last negotiating session is scheduled for November, 2024. The development of a Treaty represents a critical and historic opportunity to address the global plastics crisis that threatens human and planetary health. However, some countries are advocating for an exemption for the healthcare sector in the Treaty, which would exempt 10% of the global economy. Exempting the healthcare sector in the Plastics Treaty would stall movement away from single-use and toxic plastics, hinder innovation, and is counter to the healing mission of the sector.  
         
        Read the open letter here 
         
        Sign the open letter using this link: 
        Open Letter from Medical and Public Health Professionals on the Plastics Treaty 4th negotiation meeting (INC-4)
         
        More background here. 
      2. View other courses in the ANHE Practice Forum Webinar Series,
      3. Join an ANHE Forum or Committee, 
      4. Sign up to receive information about ANHE events and opportunities, 
      5. Donate to support nurses leading the way in protecting communities, 
      6. See ANHE's library of information and resources on environmental health, 
      7. Use your Nursing Voice to advocate for healthy communities by contacting us here.