In late May, Freepoint Eco-Systems announced that it would be shutting down its toxic plastic incinerator in Licking County. Right now, community members are being kept in the dark about what will happen next. We’re fighting to make sure Freepoint shuts down the right way and cleans up its mess.

Freepoint must commit to transparency and accountability during the shut down process of its Hebron pyrolysis plant. We’re calling on Freepoint to address the harms it caused its workers, surrounding communities, and the environment. Join us by taking the following digital actions! Together, we can get justice for our communities.

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN TAKE ACTION:

IF YOU HAVE 1 MINUTE → CALL FREEPOINT COMMODITIES

IF YOU HAVE 3 MINUTES → CALL AND EMAIL FREEPOINT REPRESENTATIVES

IF YOU HAVE 10 MINUTES → CALL AND EMAIL ELECTED OFFICIALS

📣 IF YOU HAVE 1 MINUTE…

Call the Freepoint Commodities Global Grievance Hotline at +1-475-292-0400.

PHONE SCRIPT:

My name is [your name], and I’m calling today to share my concerns about the Freepoint Eco-Systems plastic incinerator in Hebron, Ohio. [If you have a personal connection to the facility, explain it here!]

Freepoint Eco-Systems came into Hebron with promises to reduce plastic waste and provide long-term, green jobs. However, during the two years the facility was operational, toxic black smoke that was released during the plant’s frequent malfunction events put the entire community at risk. Now, workers and community members are wondering what is happening on the site and how they can stay safe.

I am calling on Freepoint Commodities to hold a public meeting to provide clarity on the shutdown plans and to address public concerns as soon as possible.

Thank you for your time and quick response.

📣 IF YOU HAVE 3 MINUTES…

Email these key Freepoint representatives to demand that the company addresses community concerns, immediately.

**When you send your emails, make sure to BCC info@benohio.org.

EMAIL SCRIPT:

Subject Line: Request for Hebron Community Meeting re: Freepoint Eco-Systems

Hello,

My name is [your name], and I’m emailing today to share my concerns about the Freepoint Eco-Systems facility in Hebron, Ohio. [If you have a personal connection to the facility, explain it here!]

Two years ago, Freepoint Eco-Systems came into Hebron with promises to reduce plastic waste and provide long-term, healthy, green jobs. However, during the short period the facility was operational, the plant constantly malfunctioned, releasing toxic black smoke into the air and putting the entire community at risk. Freepoint promised to divert “up to 90,000 tons of plastic waste from landfills and incineration each year,” but ended up incinerating too much plastic to qualify for recycler status.

On the inside of the plant, employees experienced hazardous working conditions and developed serious health issues. As of July 26th, 92 of those employees were laid off without severance pay. The local community called upon Freepoint to hold a public meeting before the mass layoff went into effect, but your company chose not to listen. Workers and residents are wondering what is happening on site and how they can stay safe.

In order to fulfill Freepoint Commodities’ corporate commitments to sustainability and ethics, I request that Freepoint officials hold a public meeting in Hebron as soon as possible to outline a plan to rectify the serious harms your company has caused. We demand immediate independent soil and char testing, independent medical screening and long-term monitoring for all present and former employees, employee access to their medical records, and severance pay for all 92 workers who have been laid off.

I appreciate your consideration and quick response to this email.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

📣 IF YOU HAVE 10 MINUTES…

Call or email the following elected officials who represent the districts impacted by Freepoint’s pollution. Unsure who your representative is? Find your district here.

Phone Script:

Hello,

My name is [your name] and I am a resident of [your district].

I am calling to ask [rep name] to support the community members and workers impacted by the closure of the Freepoint Eco-Systems plastic incinerator in Licking County. [If you have a personal connection to Freepoint, explain it here].

Freepoint was a toxic neighbor and a dangerous employer. Before the company leaves town, we deserve transparency around the shut down process and guarantees that community concerns will be addressed.

Can you support your constituents in this campaign and reach out to the Ohio EPA and Freepoint Eco-Systems to make sure they come to the table?

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Email Script:

**Make sure to BCC info@benohio.org!

Subject Line: Hold Freepoint Eco-Systems in Licking County Accountable

Dear [insert rep name],

My name is [your name] and I am a resident of [your district].

I am writing to ask [rep name] to support the community members and workers impacted by the closure of the Freepoint Eco-Systems plastic incinerator in Licking County. [If you have a personal connection to Freepoint, explain it here].

Freepoint was a toxic neighbor and a dangerous employer. While operational, Freepoint continuously violated their air permit, emitting hazardous plumes of black smoke into the surrounding air on a weekly basis. Community members noticed a decline in their air quality and an increase in respiratory issues. In under 2 years, the Ohio EPA issued 5 total Notices of Violation and one open enforcement case due to Freepoint’s continued noncompliance with its air permit. The plastic plant is less than half a mile away from a vulnerable senior apartment complex, which makes it all the more important that Freepoint does the appropriate environmental remediation.

Workers inside the plant experienced hazardous working conditions and are reporting persistent health concerns after exposure to hazardous air pollutants such as the carcinogenic compound styrene.

Before the company leaves town, we deserve transparency around the shut down process and guarantees that community concerns will be addressed.

We’re calling on Freepoint to:

1. Provide the 92 workers that were laid off with severance pay
2. Provide all current and former employees with paid independent medical screening and long-term monitoring
3. Provide all current and former employees with access to their medical records
4. Immediately conduct independent soil and water testing around the site, as well as independent third party testing of the char and pyrolysis oil on-site

Can you support your constituents in this campaign and reach out to the Ohio EPA and Freepoint Eco-Systems to make sure they come to the table?

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your name]