In 2019, a Texas fisherwoman won the largest ever settlement of $50 million in a citizen suit in the history of US Clean Water Act in fight against a plastic giant

The petrochemical industry causes plastic pollution. It poses serious hazards for both the environment and human health. Texas is known to be the largest chemical-producing state in the US. The city is home to 46 petrochemical plants, contributing to about 42% of the country’s petrochemical capacity. As per reports, tiny plastic pellets known as nurdles are the main contributor to marine pollution. Approximately 230,000 tons enter the oceans every year. But one woman, Diane Wilson, decided to be a harbinger of change.

How Diane’s fight against plastic pollution began

In 2019, Diane won a historic case against one of the world’s largest petrochemical companies - Formosa Plastics. She fought for the illegal dumping of toxic plastic waste on Texas’ Gulf Coast. As per The Goldman Environmental Prize, the $50 million settlement was the most honourable recognition received against an industrial polluter.

Diane, 74, has been a fisherwoman all his life. She is the executive director of San Antonio Bay Estuarine Waterkeeper and also the director and founder of Calhoun County Resource Watch. In 1989, after reading an article about Calhoun County, Texas, being the US’ most toxic county, she decided to take up environmental activism.

How Diane forced Formosa to stop plastic pollution

Diane swore to protect the county from pollution and restore the polluted marine ecosystem, as she was deeply affected by the collapse of local fisheries. Everyday investigation and heavy research led to demonstrations which forced Formosa Plastics to sign an agreement.

The agreement required Formosa Plastics to have ‘zero-discharge’ of plastic waste from its Point Comfort factory. It also agreed to pay penalties until the discharge stopped and even offer funds for the remedy of affected local beaches, waterways and wetlands.

How Diane’s legal battle brought Formosa to justice

In 2017, Diane filed a federal lawsuit against Formosa with her team. She accused the company of violating the US Clean Water Act. A day before the trial in March 2019, she led a kayak protest. Diane also collected samples and monitored pollution every week, ultimately presenting about 2,400 samples on the first day of the trial in court.

Finally, in 2019, a federal judge found Formosa to be guilty, charging the company with violating the Clean Water Act, leading Diane to a legal victory.