Aminah Taariq Sidibe on Plastics and Sustainability
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/03/25
Aminah Taariq-Sidibe is the Manager of End Plastics Initiatives at EARTHDAY.ORG, where she leads efforts to combat plastic pollution and its impact on marginalized communities. She holds a B.Sc. in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences and a B.Sc. in Communications from Cornell University, as well as a Master’s in Communications from Columbia University. Previously a Yale Environmental Fellow, Aminah specializes in science communication, environmental justice, and sustainability advocacy. Plastic pollution disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, particularly in the Global South and low-income areas, where waste processing facilities expose residents to toxic chemicals and health risks. Microplastics have been detected in human organs, raising concerns about endocrine disruption, immune system damage, and chronic diseases. Environmental justice initiatives, such as Flint’s water crisis activism and the LA Zero Waste Plan, highlight the intersection of social equity and sustainability. However, pro-plastic lobbying hinders progress by promoting false solutions like “advanced recycling.” Community engagement ensures inclusive policies, while science communication and the End Plastics Initiative drive global action toward sustainable plastic reduction.Scott Douglas Jacobsen: How does plastic pollution impact marginalized communities?
Aminah Taariq Sidibe: Marginalized communities, particularly those in the Global South and low-income areas in wealthier nations, are disproportionately burdened with plastic waste, pollution, and toxic exposure. These communities often host plastic production facilities, incinerators, and landfills, leading to higher rates of respiratory diseases, cancer, and endocrine disorders due to chemical exposure. Additionally, plastic waste exports from wealthier countries flood regions that they know lack the infrastructure to manage them, further compounding environmental and health risks.
Jacobsen: What are the health risks associated with microplastic exposure?
Sidibe: Microplastics have infiltrated our air, water, food, and bodies. Studies have found microplastics in the human brain, blood, lungs, and even placentas. These particles act as carriers for toxic chemicals, endocrine disruptors (like BPA and phthalates), and persistent organic pollutants, all of which have been linked to hormone disruption, immune system damage, and chronic diseases like cancer and metabolic disorders. The reality is, we don’t yet know the full extent of the harm they cause—but we do know that marginalized communities facing higher environmental toxic loads are at even greater risk.
Jacobsen: What are case studies of environmental justice initiatives integrating social equity with sustainability?
Sidibe: Flint Water Crisis & Environmental Justice Organizing: Flint’s water crisis exposed low-income, Black residents to lead-contaminated water due to cost-cutting measures, prompting grassroots activism, national outrage, and policy changes that highlighted environmental racism and forced broader accountability for water safety.
The LA Zero Waste Plan: Los Angeles is implementing equity-centered waste management policies, ensuring that frontline communities benefit from sustainable waste solutions rather than being dumping grounds.
The Basel Convention Amendments (2019): Countries like Indonesia and the Philippines successfully pushed back against plastic waste imports, citing environmental justice concerns. This marked a shift in the Global South fighting back against plastic colonialism.
Jacobsen: What are the pro-plastic lobbying efforts and preemptive legislation?
Sidibe: The plastics industry, led by fossil fuel giants, has aggressively lobbied to frame plastic as a “recyclable” and “necessary” material despite overwhelming evidence of its harm. One example of lobbying is The American Chemistry Council’s effort to gain funding and subsidies for “advanced recycling”, which is really just plastic incineration. Preemptive legislation, often backed by industry, blocks cities and states from passing plastic bans or regulations (banning bans on plastics).
Jacobsen: How do these hinder sustainable future solutions and approaches?
Sidibe: By promoting false solutions (like recycling), resisting bans, and controlling policy narratives, these lobbying efforts delay real progress. They divert attention from reduction efforts, mislead consumers about recyclability, and actively push more plastic production while the world drowns in plastic pollution. This makes it harder to implement circular economy strategies and transition to sustainable alternatives.
Jacobsen: What role does community engagement play in ensuring sustainability policies are inclusive?
Sidibe: Community engagement is essential. It ensures that the people most affected by plastic pollution have a seat at the table. Grassroots organizations, Indigenous leadership, and youth activists are shaping solutions that are both culturally relevant and equitable. Successful policies come when frontline communities are not just consulted, but actively leading in decision-making, shaping waste reduction strategies, and holding corporations accountable.
Jacobsen: How can science and sustainability communication highlight environmental activism?
Sidibe: Science communication is most powerful when it’s accessible and action-driven. Overloading people with stats won’t inspire change—storytelling, personal narratives, and real-world impact examples resonate more. Highlighting how plastic exposure connects to health, economic justice, and everyday life makes these issues tangible.
Jacobsen: To Earth Day’s 55th anniversary in 2025, how will the End Plastics Initiative influence global sustainability policies?
Sidibe: In 2025, Earth Day’s 55th anniversary will serve as a global rallying point to push for stronger plastic reduction policies and corporate accountability. The End Plastics Initiative will continue to (1) advocate for legally binding global agreements on plastic production cuts, (2) support grassroots and community-led efforts against plastic waste, (3) push for corporate responsibility, holding polluters accountable for their role in the crisis, and (4) elevate the conversation about plastic pollution’s impact on health, especially in marginalized communities. This year, we want to turn awareness into action!
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Aminah.
Last updated May 3, 2025. These terms govern all In Sight Publishing content—past, present, and future—and supersede any prior notices. In Sight Publishing by Scott Douglas Jacobsen is licensed under a Creative Commons BY‑NC‑ND 4.0; © In Sight Publishing by Scott Douglas Jacobsen 2012–Present. All trademarks, performances, databases & branding are owned by their rights holders; no use without permission. Unauthorized copying, modification, framing or public communication is prohibited. External links are not endorsed. Cookies & tracking require consent, and data processing complies with PIPEDA & GDPR; no data from children < 13 (COPPA). Content meets WCAG 2.1 AA under the Accessible Canada Act & is preserved in open archival formats with backups. Excerpts & links require full credit & hyperlink; limited quoting under fair-dealing & fair-use. All content is informational; no liability for errors or omissions: Feedback welcome, and verified errors corrected promptly. For permissions or DMCA notices, email: scott.jacobsen2025@gmail.com. Site use is governed by BC laws; content is “as‑is,” liability limited, users indemnify us; moral, performers’ & database sui generis rights reserved.
In-Sight Publishing 