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At Encina, we process hard-to-recycle plastic waste and turn it into the building blocks for making new plastic-containing products, a process that can be repeated indefinitely. The current system for plastics recycling is simply not working. Our solution is better than any feasible path for reaching the double goals of reducing plastic waste pollution and enabling the continued use of plastics for critical uses. Our solution reduces reliance on new petroleum and brings jobs and tax revenue to the community.
With proposed innovation, questions and opposing viewpoints often follow. Unfortunately, these can be misleading or, in some cases, blatantly false. It was disappointing to read the column in the Williamsport Sun-Gazette's Feb. 28 outdoors section about our project from a local organization with whom we had already established lines of communication to answer any questions. Below are just a few of the corrections and clarifications to their article which we would have shared had they reached out.
For starters, Pennsylvania's advanced recycling legislation was enacted in 2020, prior to the proposal of our project, and joining more than 20 states across the country that adopted similar legislation. State leaders sought to increase recycling and to tackle our numerous waste challenges. The legislation simply classifies facilities such as ours as manufacturers who must still comply with all federal, state, and local regulations. Encina has not sought any exemptions from applicable environmental regulations and protections. We are proceeding diligently within the frameworks and safety protocols established at the local, state, and federal levels and seeking all required permits and approvals.
We're also not using new, untested, and unproven technologies. All the equipment used in our process has been used safely in other applications for decades. What is new is our particular alignment of different parts of this process and the way we are using the catalyst, neither of which impacts the safety of the facility or the surrounding environment. The catalyst itself will not be in a fibrous form and poses no threat to public health and safety. In fact, the same material is used in many everyday products, including personal care items. Our team takes seriously the responsibility of safely handling the materials that we will be manufacturing. We intend to comply with all applicable best practices for ensuring safety.
Our system is engineered to keep these products inside pipes and equipment with redundancies and emergency response procedures in place. All chemical operators and other relevant personnel will receive regular, prescribed training to uphold safety and environmental protocols. Additionally, the site will staff and maintain its own, on-site fire brigade, whose members will receive specific and regular training suited for the products manufactured and handled onsite.
We understand that the Susquehanna River is a cherished resource for recreation, tourism, and the health of the regional ecosystem. Encina is contracting with world-class partners for our design and water management plans will include continuous monitoring and testing fall all parameters to stay below permissible levels.
We recently held a telephone question and answer session with members of the community and we plan to continue more engagement opportunities in the future. More information related to questions we have received to date can be found on our website at EncinaPointTownship.com/FAQs. We believe in the benefits of our project and look forward to openly discussing any community concerns.
Sheida Sahandy is the chief sustainability officer for Encina, a manufacturer that uses plastics recycling.