Read Habitable’s new report “Designing Out Plastics: A Blueprint for Healthier Building Materials”
Read Habitable’s new report “Designing Out Plastics: A Blueprint for Healthier Building Materials”
Read Habitable’s new report “Designing Out Plastics: A Blueprint for Healthier Building Materials”
Read Habitable’s new report “Designing Out Plastics: A Blueprint for Healthier Building Materials”
Read Habitable’s new report “Designing Out Plastics: A Blueprint for Healthier Building Materials”
Read Habitable’s new report “Designing Out Plastics: A Blueprint for Healthier Building Materials”

Despite being the second largest user of plastic after packaging, the building and construction sector is often excluded from plastic-reduction efforts, in part due to a lack of transparency of the chemical content of materials.

In this peer-reviewed paper published in the journal Environmental Science: Advances, Habitable’s researchers present an innovative methodology to estimate the amount of plastic polymers and chemicals of concern in many common building materials. Their analysis reveals how prevalent plastics and associated chemicals are in many common building materials. In doing so, the paper aims to support research and inform policies that can reduce the plastic pollution harming humans and the planet.

Cover of Environmental Science Advances July 2026 issue

This special report from Habitable and Plastic Pollution Coalition reveals how the built environment is full of toxic plastic, making wildfires worse—and how there is opportunity to build back better, with sustainable materials.

The report presents key findings about the links between plastics and wildfires, focusing on the case study of the January 2025 wildfires that burned through Los Angeles, California—an example of our increasingly plastic cities. It seeks to inform leaders in architecture, building, design, engineering, and policy spaces about how communities at risk of and/or affected by wildfires can build and rebuild better with safer, plastic-free materials.

Safer States is a national alliance of environmental health groups led by state-based organizations working towards a healthier and more just future. 

By addressing critical issues such as toxic chemicals, plastics, and climate change, Safer States empowers collective action through its extensive network and capacity-building initiatives. The organization’s resources focus on ensuring clean air and water, holding polluters accountable, and promoting the development of safer consumer products. Safer States offers valuable tools and support for creating safer solutions for human health and the environment, including a bill tracker that identifies state policies that move the needle toward achieving a healthier world.

This website explores the concept of planetary boundaries, a framework of nine key Earth system processes that humanity must stay within to ensure long-term sustainability and avoid irreversible environmental harm.

This report provides information on PFAS, their widespread presence in US drinking water, associated health risks, and recommendations from the National Academies for clinical guidance and education on PFAS exposure.

The Planetary Health Alliance is a global consortium of over 400 organizations from 60+ countries dedicated to studying and addressing the effects of global environmental change on human health.

Toxic-Free Future is a leading advocate for environmental health, leveraging science, education, and activism to promote strong laws and corporate responsibility that safeguard the health of individuals and the planet.

This article discusses the latest update to the planetary boundaries model, highlighting the inclusion of numerical guideposts for each boundary and emphasizing the interconnected factors influencing Earth’s habitability beyond climate change.

Watch this video for a summary of legislation, scientific findings and more about PFAS “forever chemicals.”

This report discusses concerns about replacing lead service lines with PVC plastic pipes, highlighting the potential health and environmental risks associated with leaching chemicals, urging for thorough consideration and evaluation of alternative piping materials.

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