The WEN forum, is a quarterly symposium featuring key note speakers discussing topics of the moment, organised by Women Environment Network Uk. Inspiring, topical and sometimes controversial!  This edition on the 20th of March was all about toxic chemicals in plastics.  WECF’s Chantal Van den Bossche took part to share our experiences with Project Nesting in The Netherlands, France and Germany and provide insight into EU level campaigning on toxic chemicals.

Participants discussing were Emma Ross,  aka Mamalina UK, a plastic free vlogger, Jayn Sterland, Managing Director of Weleda UK, Emma Priestland, Plastics Campaigner at Friends of the Earth UK,  Helen Lynn, Co-founder Cool Green & Health Adviser WEN UK and former International Advisory Board member of WECF International, Chantal Van den Bossche WECF , Sammy Britten from Nappy Ever After and dr. Anna Watson, Head of Advocay CHEM Trust, who also moderated the whole event.

Themes that were discussed were:

• What’s gender got to do with plastic?
• Plastic babies & kids – what’s the problem?
• How does plastic impact our health?
• What about hidden plastic?

WEN made an introductory film into the subject, which can be found here: WEN Plastics film

Main conclusions from panel and audience were that it’s time to shift our priorities. Mamalina stated: “The smaller individual choices make a big change too, chose one area of change and focus on that” with WECF’s Chantal adding to that, “be a more conscious consumer by asking myself, do I really, really, really need or want this?”

The next WEN Forum will be attributed to Gender & Air Pollution and will take place thursday 4th july 2019 – mile end park, haverfield road, off grove rd, london e3 5tw. More information at www.wen.org.uk