Above image: Dianna Cohen (PPC Co-Founder & Chief Vision Officer) introducing one of the panelists, Dr. Shanna Swan. Photo by Aidan Maguire.
We were honored to co-host a screening of The Plastic Detox—a new Netflix documentary—with a live panel discussion during SF Climate Week 2026. The event was held at the David Brower Center in Berkeley, California, and hosted by Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC) along with Earth Island Institute (EII), Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS), and Land And Sea For All.
About the Film
The Plastic Detox investigates the health consequences of plastic pollution, especially the damage that microplastics and plastic chemicals cause in the body and how exposure can impact fertility. The educational version screened at this event is shorter than the feature film version available on Netflix, and is currently available for community screenings.
A Dynamic Screening and Discussion
The screening and panel discussion drew an engaged audience eager to connect the latest science about the impacts of plastic pollution on human health with action. The panel discussion that followed the film was moderated by PPC co-founder and Chief Vision Officer, Dianna Cohen (PPC), and featured Dr. Shanna Swan (reproductive epidemiologist and PPC Scientific Advisor) and filmmakers Louie Psihoyos (OPS, PPC Notable) and Josh Murphy (Land And Sea For All), as well as fertility specialist Dr. Thalia Segal (Collab Fertility).
Let’s Detox Together
Also representing Plastic Pollution Coalition at the event were Business Partnerships Manager Aidan Maguire and Development Manager Alex Patton, who staffed a PPC resource table and provided attendees with information about our work and ways to get involved.
We encouraged all attendees to bring their own reusable cups and utensils to the event, a meaningful act of living the values that are shown in the film. Lunch was provided by Gather, featuring handmade pizza, salads, and charcuterie.
This year’s SF Climate Week gave us renewed hope that progress is possible and showed that awareness of the harms of plastic is at the forefront of public discourse. Despite being up against giants, including fossil fuel and plastic polluters, PPC and others are coming together to build a healthier, more just, and equitable world free of plastic pollution.
Take Action
Ready to take the next steps? We have a guide to reducing plastic in your life here, with practical tips just for beginners. If you missed our April webinar about the film, also in collaboration with the Oceanic Preservation Society, the recording is available here.
Want to go the extra mile and help us get plastic packaging off our food and drinks? Sign our petition at the link below.
