BACKGROUND BRIEFING: Why Plastic Pollution Is an Environmental Justice Issue

During Black History Month, Panel Will Highlight Disproportionate Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Marginalized Communities

ALBANY, NY (02/14/2024) (readMedia)-- As the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (A5322B Glick / S4246B Harckham) gains momentum in the New York state legislature, leaders from environmental justice communities harmed by plastic pollution in New York and Louisiana will share their experiences and discuss the negative impacts of plastic production, use, and disposal. The out-of-control expansion of single-use plastic is a serious issue for the climate, environment, and human health, with disproportionate impacts on marginalized communities.

The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act will reduce plastic packaging by 50% over 12 years to dramatically reduce waste, phase out some of the most toxic chemicals used in packaging - including PFAS and vinyl chloride - improve recyclability of packaging, and slash greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastic (which are currently on track to outpace the emissions from coal by 2030). It will also make polluters pay by establishing a modest fee on packaging paid by packaging producers, generating new revenue for local taxpayers.

REGISTER HERE: https://bennington.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAtcu-rpzMsG9Lag9l2hI0US48AjQUVEB0b#/registration

WHO:

Courtney Williams, Westchester Alliance for Sustainable Solutions

Jo Banner, The Descendants Project

Dawn Henry, Beyond Plastics

Judith Enck, Beyond Plastics
WHAT:

Leaders from environmental justice communities harmed by plastic pollution in New York and Louisiana will share their experiences and discuss the negative impacts of plastic production, use, and disposal.
WHEN: Thursday February 15, 2024 at 12:30PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: Zoom (Register at link above)
NOTES:

 SPEAKER BIOS:

??Jo Banner, co-founder & co-director of The Descendants Project

Jo co-founded The Descendants Project, where she channels her affection and knowledge into challenging systems, primarily legal systems that have exploited the descendants, such as herself, of those enslaved to plantations. She is now working to gain recognition of the burial grounds of the enslaved as sacred sites and aims to protect such sites and their communities from degradation, especially degradation caused by heavy industry.

As a resident of Louisiana’s Cancer Alley, Jo champions environmental justice causes and is actively developing strategies to transform land slated for use by pollutant-causing industries into green spaces where communities like hers can thrive. She has spoken before the United Nations and participated in the first Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.

Courtney Williams, co-founder of the Westchester Alliance for Sustainable Solutions

Courtney has been fighting to ensure environmental justice for her community of Peekskill, NY since 2013 when the “Algonquin” pipeline was expanded under Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant and passed her home and children’s school. In a continuation of her work to bring environmental justice to Peekskill, Courtney founded Westchester Alliance for Sustainable Solutions (WASS) in 2021 to shut down the Wheelabrator trash incinerator. WASS has been recognized by Federated Conservationists of Westchester County with their Green Seal Award for recognition of outstanding environmental leadership and advocacy in Westchester County; by the New York State Assembly with a citation honoring WASS for its advocacy on environmental issues and outstanding contributions to the environmental health of New York State; and a proclamation from New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer for our efforts.

Courtney lives in Peekskill with her husband and two children one mile from Indian Point, 400ft from the expanded "Algonquin" Pipeline, and less than one mile from the Wheelabrator trash incinerator which she can see and hear from her bedroom window.