Washington Toxics Coalition Programs
Create model policies in Washington to demonstrate that chemical policy reforms work and build toward national reform. We have been successful in Washington at establishing policies that move our state toward reform of chemical policy. These include the Children's Safe Products Act, setting the nation's strongest standards for children's products. We must now see that this legislation makes Washington the first state to require full disclosure of toxics in children's products. We will also work to pass policies to move toward comprehensive reform, including a ban on the use of the hormone disrupting chemical bisphenol A in baby bottles and the creation of a state institute to help companies switch to safer chemicals. Finally, we will collaborate with the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families campaign in seeking national reform.
Use original research to frame the debate and win supporters. In Fall 2009, we released two original reports. Puget Sound Down the Drain drew attention to pollution in Puget Sound resulting from products in our homes. Earliest Exposures uncovered the presence of toxic chemicals in pregnant women exposing developing fetuses during the most vulnerable time of life. We will use these reports and additional research to draw people to our issue, win the support of policymakers, and build strategic partnerships.
Create and distribute educational materials to educate and mobilize our target audience. Our educational materials, such as those in our Growing Up Green series, provide quick, inviting tips to help people make safer choices and draw them into the movement. We will distribute this information via electronic and traditional media, and via our partners. With Planned Parenthood, we will reach out to low-income and minority populations to inform on safer choices and geting engaged in policy change. We will also seek new partnerships, particularly with Latino and faith-based organizations.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
Our accomplishments include winning the nation's strongest standards on toxic chemicals in children's products; banning toxic flame retardants; and publishing cutting-edge reports. We collaborate with our partners in the Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition, including medical, environmental, faith-based, and other organizations. Having added Planned Parenthood to our steering committee, we have increased our focus on reproductive health and our capacity to reach our target demographic, women of childbearing age.
Our goal for 2010 is to move Washington state and the nation further toward safer chemicals while broadening and building the movement for reform. To do so, we will use original research, education, skilled advocacy, and strategic coalition building to build the movement for safer chemicals, engage our audience politically, and win policy changes.