Mike Schade, Toxic-Free Future
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mikeschade.bsky.social
Mike Schade, Toxic-Free Future
@mikeschade.bsky.social
Transforming the marketplace away from toxic chemicals and plastics and toward safer solutions.

Fighting for a toxic-free future for all.

Senior Director of Programs and Strategy for Toxic-Free Future - ToxicFreeFuture.org

Opinions my own
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The Home Depot led on phthalates 10 years ago—will it lead on PVC now? As shareholders meet this week, pressure is mounting to act on the poison plastic. Over 20,000 people are calling for change.

📖 Read our new blog: toxicfreefuture.org/blog/from-ph...

#ESG #HomeDepot #PlasticPollution #Plastics
From phthalates to the poison plastic: It’s time for Home Depot to lead again - Toxic-Free Future
A decade after phasing out phthalates in flooring, Home Depot can lead again—by phasing out toxic PVC and scaling safer materials like linoleum. Here's why it matters.
toxicfreefuture.org
Plastics aren’t cheap when you count the health costs. Duke University researchers estimate they cost the U.S. $1.1 trillion each year — from toxic chemicals to pollution and waste.
We can’t afford toxic plastics like PVC.
www.thenewlede.org/2025/11/us-s...
US social costs of plastics may total over $1 trillion annually, report finds
Plastic production, use and disposal each year saddles the US with up to  $1.1 trillion in social costs, the bulk of which are due to human health impacts, according to a new report from Duke Universi...
www.thenewlede.org
November 12, 2025 at 3:25 PM
This Veterans Day, I honor the vets who risked everything — and were exposed to deadly chemicals like dioxin/Agent Orange, TCE, and PFAS.

They deserve justice and action.

It’s time to turn off the tap on toxics and protect those who protect us. #VeteransDay #PFAS #HonorOurVets
November 11, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Reposted by Mike Schade, Toxic-Free Future
In the midst of a federal hiring freeze, JD Vance’s best buddy was hired to lead the nation’s premier environmental health sciences institute—even though the position wasn’t vacant—raising fears of political favoritism. Read more at @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/2110202...
Close Friend of JD Vance Skirts Normal Channels to Take Over NIH Environmental Health Institute - Inside Climate News
Despite a federal hiring freeze, the Trump administration just appointed a scientist who calls Vance one of his “closest friends” to head the nation’s key environmental health research arm.
insideclimatenews.org
October 22, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Don't miss our new blog highlighting new progress #Walmart has made in reducing its toxic chemical footprint.

Click through for our analysis, including recommendations on how Walmart can continue to #MindTheStore #ESG #susty #sustainability #chemicalfootprint
✨ Good news alert! Walmart once again made progress cutting toxic chemicals from its products—showing big retailers CAN work w/ suppliers to eliminate harmful chemicals.

Walmart must continue to set ambitious goals to reduce its chemical footprint & commit to maintaining transparency w/ customers.
Walmart cuts its toxic chemical footprint—making progress after backsliding - Toxic-Free Future
Walmart is making progress on reducing toxic chemicals, but more action is needed to cut its chemical footprint and protect health and the environment.
toxicfreefuture.org
October 22, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Reposted by Mike Schade, Toxic-Free Future
Home Depot has already taken the first step by limiting PVC in its own brand packaging. Now it’s time to finish the job by banning PVC in all packaging and bringing safer, PVC-free building materials to market.

🔨 It’s time for The Home Depot to build a safer future!

#MindTheStore #BanPVC
The Home Depot: Stop Selling Poison Plastic - Toxic-Free Future
Tell The Home Depot to ban toxic PVC in building materials like flooring, siding, and packaging.
toxicfreefuture.org
October 17, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Reposted by Mike Schade, Toxic-Free Future
🏭 TFF's Mike Schade lives 7 miles downwind of an incinerator that burns plastics and trash.

#PVC packaging is toxic from production to disposal, polluting nearby communities and releasing dioxins—some of the most dangerous chemicals on the planet— when burned at incinerators like this one.
October 17, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Reposted by Mike Schade, Toxic-Free Future
NEW report & interactive storymap

Designed to Kill: Who Profits from Paraquat? traces the supply chain of a toxic weedkiller from fossil fuels to U.S. farms.

The U.S. imports virtually all its paraquat from China & the UK, where it is banned.

storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/9b20...
Designed to Kill: Who Profits from Paraquat?
Storymap
storymaps.arcgis.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Reposted by Mike Schade, Toxic-Free Future
Booooo! 😡 @governor.ca.gov just sided w/ the chemical industry over Californians’ health. By vetoing SB682, he kept toxic #PFAS in cookware.

Six other states & retailers like Target have already transitioned away from PFAS toward safer solutions like cast iron. He should have ensured CA did too.
California governor rejects bill to phase out "forever" chemicals used in cookware, children's products
Gov. Gavin Newsom votoes bill to phase out a range of popular consumer products, including nonstick pots and pans, that contain synthetic chemicals with links to cancer.
www.latimes.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Reposted by Mike Schade, Toxic-Free Future
Trump and RFK Jr. promised to protect kids and communities from toxic pollution, but instead they're giving polluters a free pass to emit more pollution that causes cancer, asthma and other serious health problems.
Trump and RFK Jr. aren't making America healthy again—in fact, they're making our nation's health care worse. @cmkelly.bsky.social explains how the administration is undermining its own MAHA agenda:
October 9, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Washington became the first state to ban all formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in cosmetics — protecting salon workers & consumers.

Our Science Director at @toxicfreefuture.bsky.social explains what this means, and why retailers must get ahead of regulatory risk.

toxicfreefuture.org/blog/the-sci...
The science surrounding Washington’s formaldehyde ban—and what it means for salon workers and consumers - Toxic-Free Future
Washington leads the nation with the first-ever ban on all formaldehyde in cosmetics—protecting salon workers, women of color, and consumers.
toxicfreefuture.org
October 10, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Reposted by Mike Schade, Toxic-Free Future
📊 Our new report exposes the 4-to-1 lobbying advantage industry giants used to block #NewYork's Packaging Reduction & Recycling Infrastructure Act. But 73% of New Yorkers support it. Who will #Albany lawmakers listen to? ➡️ bit.ly/prria-lobbying
October 7, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Reposted by Mike Schade, Toxic-Free Future
Despite leading the world in plastic pollution for 6 years in a row, @cocacolagb.bsky.social just quietly reneged on its promise to deliver 25% of its drinks in reusable bottles by 2030. UNACCEPTABLE! Contact the company's head of sustainability: bit.ly/coca-cola-re... #toxicplastic #planetorplastic
December 12, 2024 at 10:52 PM
Reposted by Mike Schade, Toxic-Free Future
New research links #phthalates to tumor growth and reduced treatment success.

The EU restricts several phthalates from all uses while the U.S. has banned only a handful in children’s toys, and still allows them in food packaging and personal care products. usrtk.org/healthwire/p...
Phthalates in everyday products may fuel breast cancer, new study warns
Phthalates—common chemicals in plastics, personal care products, and food packaging—may drive the growth and spread of breast cancer, a new study warns.
usrtk.org
September 5, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Reposted by Mike Schade, Toxic-Free Future
We are in the final hours of negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty, yet the newly proposed text hands the treaty to polluters.🌎❌

World leaders: send it back. 🚨Protect people and planet!✊

#PlasticPollutes #BreakFreeFromPlastic #INC #PlasticsTreaty
August 13, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Reposted by Mike Schade, Toxic-Free Future
The plastics crisis has gotten so bad that "the ability of future generations to enjoy a toxic-free environment conducive to a life w/ dignity is now compromised." Here's why legal experts are increasingly referring to plastic pollution as a human rights issue. @grist.org grist.org/equity/un-pl...
Plastic pollution is toxic and everywhere. Now, legal experts say it’s a human rights violation.
This week, they’re advocating for a U.N. treaty to safeguard people’s basic rights.
grist.org
August 13, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Reposted by Mike Schade, Toxic-Free Future
🚨Showing our collective power outside plenary🚨

Observers gather outside the plenary hall, telling delegates to fix the process, keep their promise, and end plastic pollution.

#INC52 #PlasticsTreaty #BeatPlasticPollution #BreakFreeFromPlastic
August 9, 2025 at 9:21 AM
📖 New book alert: Cleaning House by @lindsaydahl.bsky.social. This is a MUST-read on fighting the chemical industry and winning real protections for our health.

Lindsay is a longtime advocate, #ESG leader + @toxicfreefuture.bsky.social board member.

👉 bit.ly/3UVPeMY

#CleanBeauty #PublicHealth
Cleaning House
From the front lines of the movement for safer products, environmental health expert Lindsay Dahl takes us on her journey from skeptic to activist, exposing...
bit.ly
August 8, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Reposted by Mike Schade, Toxic-Free Future
Big news: New Jersey has reached a $2 billion deal with DuPont and other companies to settle claims they contaminated the state with toxic #PFAS. NJ officials call it the “largest environmental settlement” ever awarded to a single state.
whyy.org/articles/new...
New Jersey reaches billion-dollar PFAS settlement with DuPont, Chemours, Corteva
The settlement resolves lawsuits pertaining to toxic chemical contamination at four industrial sites.
whyy.org
August 5, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Reposted by Mike Schade, Toxic-Free Future
So great to present @ the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators National Forum with @defendourhealth.bsky.social & Breast Cancer Prevention Partners on reducing PFAS in our lives, and to share with other panelists how states like Washington are leading the charge to prevent #PFAS pollution.
August 7, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Toxic chemicals are fueling cancer and infertility worldwide.

Scientists now say this crisis is as serious as climate change.

And just like climate, it’s preventable—if we force corporations and governments to act.

Read this important @theguardian.com story: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Chemical pollution a threat comparable to climate change, scientists warn
More than 100 million ‘novel entity’ chemicals are in circulation, with health impact not widely recognised
www.theguardian.com
August 7, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Reposted by Mike Schade, Toxic-Free Future
⚠️ Fossil fuel and chemical industry lobbyists have flooded #PlasticsTreaty talks at a record high. They're working with petrostates to distract, delay, and drag the treaty toward the lowest common denominator.
#KickPollutersOut #INC5-2
👉 Read more: bit.ly/41wUn1L
August 7, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Reposted by Mike Schade, Toxic-Free Future
😓The Trump administration is granting emissions exemptions to polluters.

💰Companies granted exemptions – like BASF, Formosa Plastics, Chevron Phillips & Shell – have spent $$$ millions on lobbying.

☠️Communities should NOT be sacrificed for corporate profits & dividends.

📖https://bit.ly/45rwWby
EPA Rollback: A New Era of Deregulation - Center for International Environmental Law
EPA grants sweeping air pollution exemptions to petrochemical giants, risking public health and aiding industry lobbyists.
bit.ly
August 6, 2025 at 4:19 PM
🧪 NJ's AG has secured a historic $875 million PFAS settlement with polluters.

#PFAS isn’t just an environmental crisis—it’s a multi‑billion‑dollar business risk. Brands exposed to these legacy chemicals may face significant financial liabilities. #ForeverChemicals

www.nytimes.com/2025/08/04/c...
Chemical Makers to Pay N.J. $875 Million to Settle ‘Forever Chemicals’ Claims
www.nytimes.com
August 5, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Reposted by Mike Schade, Toxic-Free Future
A new study finds that children are being exposed to toxic chemicals—before they even reach kindergarten.

🧸 From phthalates to flame retardants, these chemicals are in everyday products—and can harm kids’ health for life.

We’re working to change that with stronger protections and safer products.
Potentially Toxic Chemicals Are Reaching Toddlers Before Kindergarten, Study Finds
Before ever stepping foot inside a kindergarten classroom, young children nationwide are already exposed to a large swath of possibly toxic chemicals, new research suggests.
people.com
July 14, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Reposted by Mike Schade, Toxic-Free Future
Big corporations want lawmakers to protect their profits over your health. Whose side is your Assemblymember on: the chemical industry or children and families? Tell your Assemblymember to pass the Packaging Reduction & Recycling Infrastructure Act! 📲Call now: bit.ly/people-over-...
June 14, 2025 at 3:19 PM