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Building a Clean, Sustainable Future

The Petkim PVC complex plant. Enlarge Image

The European vinyl industry proposes a flawed and inadequate voluntary commitment to deal with PVC pollution says Greenpeace in its report

The European vinyl industry proposes a flawed and inadequate voluntary commitment to deal with PVC pollution says Greenpeace

Plastic PVC bottles. Enlarge Image

Stopping PVC

PVC doesn't look dangerous in the shop -- but look closely.

Greenpeace action at Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair '99, against use of PVC in toys. Enlarge Image

Plastics industry loses out

Many companies, when challenged by us, seek to silence questions through the court rather than provide answers. Production and use of the plastic, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is harmful to people and the environment in many ways. Two of Europe's biggest PVC producers sued Greenpeace in Italy for US$300 million rather face up to the problems of PVC. They lost.

Unborn babies are exposed in the womb to synthetic chemicals. Enlarge Image

Chemical consumers?

Maybe you live in a nice house, with a sparkling bathroom, comfy carpet, air that smells of alpine meadows and lovely polished surfaces? Well next time you buy polish, shampoo, detergent, toys for your kids or a new television you could also be bringing some nasty chemicals into your home. Do you want to remain an unwitting chemical consumer?

Action against toxic dioxin emmissions from a polluting incinerator. Enlarge Image

Dioxin - Closer than you think!

The deadly chemical dioxin has hit the headlines with the alledged poisoning of Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Yuschenko. What doesn't often make the news is the fact that dioxin pollution is far more widespread than political poisonings.

Martha Stewart - Her products contain toxic PVC plastic Enlarge Image

Picnics! Pool Parties! Toxins?

Summer has hit the north, so start up the grill and bring out the picnic gear. But watch out, some of your favourite tablecloths, beverage containers and lawn furniture from the Martha Stewart Everyday line could be PVC. PVC (polyvinyl chloride or vinyl) is the most damaging plastic to human health and the environment, and the largest source of the cancer-causing chemical, dioxin.

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