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Plastic problem

Plastic has become a defining symbol of modern industrial society. It is found everywhere — in consumer products, construction materials and single-use packaging and shopping bags. It is also found everywhere in natural and human habitats. Our planet’s environment is saturated with ugly, toxic, plastic waste.

The tough synthetic polymers in plastic fragments into microscopic particles that enter the food chain, including fish and shellfish consumed by humans. Studies have found traces of plastic polymers in human tissue, raising the question of how exposure to microscopic plastic will affect human health. Petrochemical plants producing plastic are a notorious source of toxic emissions. An area of southeast Louisiana with a concentration of plastic producing plants is know as Cancer Alley because local communities are plagued with a cancer rate five times over the national average. In Pennsylvania we have a litter problem with an estimated 40 million plastic containers and bags lining the highways and streets on a typical day. Municipalities spend about 70 million annually cleaning up litter, unclogging grates, maintaining trash and recycling containers. Landfills are overloaded with plastic trash.

Considering the costly threat of plastic pollution, it is obvious we should be reducing the production and use of plastic. Unfortunately, some members of our state Legislature want to move in the opposite direction. House Bill 1100, passed by the PA House would provide billions of our tax money to help petrochemical conglomerates like Royal Dutch Shell build plants to convert natural gas into plastic pellets.

Our tax money would be better spent creating more effective systems to collect, recycle and revise existing plastic waste. This would reduce pollution and promote sustainable job growth in the process. Concerned citizens should tell their state senator to oppose Senate Bill 866, the senate version of HB 1100. Contact Governor Wolf and ask him to veto HB1100 and SB866 if it reached his desk.

DAVID HAFER

Lewisburg

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