Second City Works presents "Getting to Yes, And"

Getting to Yes, And… | Judith Enck – ‘The Plastics Problem’

Feb 3, 2026
Judith Enck, former Obama EPA regional administrator and founder of Beyond Plastics, fights plastic pollution and environmental injustice. She discusses how plastics became dominant, why recycling often fails, health risks from microwaving and microplastics, and the communities harmed by petrochemical plants. Practical steps and focused policy wins round out the conversation.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ADVICE

Replace Hot-Contact Plastics Now

  • Avoid using black plastic and stop microwaving food in plastic to reduce toxic exposure.
  • Replace plastic food containers and dog bowls with glass or metal for safer daily use.
INSIGHT

Convenience Was Engineered

  • The convenience of plastic is manufactured by industry choices, not consumer preference.
  • Fracked gas glut and fossil fuel companies drove dramatic increases in single-use plastic availability.
ANECDOTE

The 'Keep America Beautiful' Origin Story

  • Keep America Beautiful was formed by packaging and consumer brand companies to block bottle bills.
  • Their 'crying Indian' ads shifted blame to individuals and discouraged policy solutions.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app