MISSION
The mission of the Virginia Plastic Pollution Prevention Network (VPPPN) is to promote and facilitate coordination, collaboration, and communication among groups working to reduce plastic pollution throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The VPPPN will not do original research, advocate for policies or legislation, or organize events. Its goal, instead, is to facilitate communication among people who are working on the following issues:
Educational campaigns to decrease litter and marine debris
Innovative approaches to decrease litter and marine debris
Legislation to decrease litter and marine debris
Research on all aspects of plastic pollution including
Land-based sources of marine debris
Water-based sources of marine debris
Products and services related to plastic pollution and source reduction as well as sustainable business practices
Derelict fishing gear (DFG)
Abandoned or derelict vessels (ADV)
Microplastics
Packaging innovations and other pre-consumer modifications to decrease the single use of plastics
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) and similar waste reduction strategies
Plastic pollution items of special concern
Plastic single-use shopping bags
Smoking-related litter including cigarette butts
Balloon-related litter
Single-use plastics (SUP) including food- and beverage-related items
Cleanup and removal events
Citizen science, data collection, and volunteer engagement opportunities
Funding sources
Membership is free to groups working on plastic pollution prevention including but not limited to:
Non-profit and non-government groups
Governmental agencies
Universities and research institutions
Tourism and hospitality industry
Businesses committed to preventing plastic pollution
At this time there is no membership available to individuals.
An on-line directory of all members’ programs related to plastic pollution prevention.
Monthly conference calls for members to share updates.
If there is interest, the VPPPN may also add:
Monthly (or bi-monthly) digest emails highlighting new research and reports, upcoming events, job openings, and other items of interest.
Webinars
Work groups devoted to sub-topics
Networking opportunities with other VPPPN members.
The Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan and the Virginia Plastic Pollution Prevention Network
The hundreds of stakeholders who contributed to the Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan (VMDRP) recognized the need to pursue a collaborative and coordinated approach to reduce litter and marine debris from land- and water-based sources. The VMDRP encourages fostering collaboration between government agencies (federal, state and local), manufacturers and businesses, non-profit organizations, research institutions, and Virginians who are seeking to prevent litter and marine debris or are engaged in cleanups and removal of plastic pollution.
The Virginia Plastic Pollution Prevention Network will fulfill goals of the Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan by:
Using web-based tools to foster collaboration and increased communication between members as well as the public.
Providing a clearinghouse for:
Cleanup and removal events and programs to include events, approaches, and organizing groups. This includes facilitating multi-jurisdictional and public-private partnerships in cleanup and removal efforts to create long-term ecological improvements for coastal and in-land waterways, habitat, and wildlife
Litter-prevention and marine debris projects, best practices, and research that are underway in Virginia and regionally.
Marine debris prevention activities, tools, and resources
Promoting the use of members’ existing resources.
Sharing information and data, including results of and data generated during cleanup events.
If you have questions, please send them to VirginiaPPPN@gmail.com.