For argument’s sake, let’s accept Flexible Packaging Association President and CEO Dan Felton’s spurious claim in his recentop-edthat legislation to curtail the proliferation of harmful and unnecessary plastic packaging would lead to “wet, soggy toilet paper.”
Even if that were true, occasional – and avoidable – inconveniences are trivial compared with dangers to our and future generations’ health through overreliance on toxic and carcinogenic plastic.
But it’s a false choice anyway. New Yorkers managed to use paper towels, toilet paper, diapers and other products wrapped in safer and truly recyclable packaging for decades before plastic was invented. They can do it again, and they need to.
Mounting scientific evidence shows microplastics emitted by plastic packaging are invading our brains and bodies, including our reproductive systems.
The bill Felton and his well-funded allies are fighting in Albany, the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, would ban over a dozen toxic and carcinogenic chemicals from the manufacturing of plastic packaging, reduce single-use plastic packaging and shift disposal costs from local taxpayers to manufacturers.
That could incentivize the use of paper and other truly recyclable materials in packaging – asQuilted Northern hasdone – saving our health and environment, while also saving local taxpayers money.
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Source: LI Press
