Earth can’t wait

Plastic production will account for more greenhouse gas emissions than coal plants by 2050. As climate change threatens us all — this makes no sense. We need to reduce, not expand production!

Almost half of plastics produced are just for packaging, most used once, then tossed. The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, or PRRIA (S4246B/A5322B), before the New York state Legislature is supported by majorities in both Senate and Assembly — including state Sen. Michelle Hinchey and Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha. It calls for gradual reduction in packaging by 50% over 12 years, and improvement in mechanical recycling technology. (The petrochemical industry is lobbying to include “chemical”/“advanced” recycling which is hazardous, not scalable and more energy-intensive than virgin production and must not be included!).

Enacting PRRIA will reduce CO2 being released and cut costs to taxpayers for landfilling packaging waste. Ulster County now spends $11 million/ year on waste landfill. Plastic food packaging is hazardous to our health too, as detailed in the January 2024 Consumer Reports. PRRIA bans the 15 worst toxins from packaging, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Up to 11 million tons of plastic waste enter our oceans every year. Much is breaking up into micro/nano plastics and getting into our food chain — and bodies. Over half of all plastic in the world was made just in the last 20 years. We need to reverse course for our planet and our health!

Please join me in encouraging Assembly Carl Speaker Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins to bring PRRIA legislation to the floor for a vote. Earth can’t wait!

Deb Weltsch Tillson