Environmentalist discusses “The Problem With Plastic”

Judith Enck to discuss her book on the environmental effects of plastic pollution

By Lillian Magurno, NYS Writers Institute intern

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Plastic pollution has become a growing global issue over the past few decades. According to Worldmetrics, the average American uses about 60 pounds of plastic per year, with 40% classified as single-use products. Approximately 8 million tons of plastic waste ends up in the ocean annually.

Environmental policy expert Judith Enck aims to address this “problem with plastic.”

Enck was appointed regional administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in 2009 by President Barack Obama, where she oversaw environmental protections for New York, New Jersey and U.S. territories. In 2019, Enck founded Beyond Plastics, an organization that uses education, advocacy and institutional change to help end plastic pollution.

In addition to her roles as a former regional administrator and president of Beyond Plastics, Enck has also become a published author. Enck published her book, The Problem With Plastics: How We Can Save Ourselves and Our Planet Before It’s Too Late, in December 2025, examining how plastic use affects human and environmental health.

“The Problem With Plastic is a powerful wake-up call and a necessary reckoning,” said actress and activist Cynthia Nixon. “It exposes not only how plastic destroys our environment, but how it disproportionately affects vulnerable communities. Most importantly, it empowers readers with the tools to take action in their own lives.”

According to Enck, the book combines research on plastic pollution with a call to action aimed at strengthening environmental protection policies.

“I’m a big believer in when the people lead, the leaders will follow,” Enck said when discussing her book.

She said she hopes to empower readers to take action in their local communities to help reduce plastic waste and curb plastic production.

While working to eliminate plastic pollution nationwide, Enck also makes weekly appearances on the WAMC Northeast Public Radio's Roundtable, hosted by Joe Donahue.

Enck will discuss these issues with students and members of the Albany community at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 20, at Page Hall on the UAlbany Downtown Campus.

Judith Enck

7:30 p.m. Monday, April 20, moderated by Susan Arbetter, host of Spectrum News' "Capital Tonight"

Page Hall, UAlbany Downtown Campus

135 Western Avenue

Albany NY 12203

Free and open to the public.

Books will be for sale and a signing will follow the conversation and Q&A.