11 October 2025 – In celebration of the 19th anniversary of BAN Toxics, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has stood with us in our enduring pursuit of a toxics-free and waste-free future. The unwavering support and dedication of our partners, volunteers, communities, and advocates have been vital in advancing our mission to uphold environmental justice and protect human rights.
Founded in 2006, BAN Toxics has worked tirelessly to empower communities to protect their health, preserve the environment, and secure a safer world for future generations. Nineteen years later, we remain steadfast in this mission, guided by the conviction that environmental protection and social equity go hand in hand.
From our early efforts to eliminate mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining, we have seen firsthand how strong partnerships with marginalized communities have helped shape and strengthen our advocacy.
We continue to stand resolutely against turning the country into a dumping ground for waste from wealthier nations, protecting our country from the unjust and hazardous burden of imported toxic waste.
Today, our efforts have expanded significantly as we lead campaigns to reduce plastic waste and curb toxic chemical exposure—critical actions in addressing both environmental pollution and the climate crisis. We continue to bring our message from the grassroots to global platforms, ensuring that the voices of affected communities are heard and valued.
Beyond national initiatives, BAN Toxics actively engages in regional and international processes, including negotiations for a global plastics treaty and the establishment of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISP-CWP), as well as in advancing the Global Framework on Chemicals. Our sustained engagement in the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions and the Minamata Convention on Mercury underscores our commitment to strengthening global governance on chemicals, waste, and pollution.
At the same time, the organization continues to amplify its efforts to support populations affected by toxic chemical exposure, focusing on vulnerable groups such as children through the Toxics-Free and Waste-Free Schools Program (TFSP) to help create safer learning environments. Our ongoing advocacy for cleaner, safer, and sustainable healthcare waste management likewise promotes responsible practices in medical settings.
These milestones are more than a celebration of our achievements, they are a renewed call to action. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our donors, civil society organizations, government agencies, and people’s organizations for their unwavering support and partnership throughout the years. We proudly reaffirm our commitment to building a toxics-free and waste-free future. With continued collaboration, courage, and compassion, we will persist in advancing policies, knowledge, systems, and solutions that safeguard both human health and the environment.