WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT PLASTICS
~ 400 million metric tons of plastic are generated annually
Global annual production of plastic has increased exponentially over the past 65 years, growing from 2 million metric tons in 1950 to 460 million metric tons in 2019. Current levels of production are already unsustainable and causing massive global impacts, yet the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates global plastic use will triple by 2060.
New York’s role in the global solid waste and plastic problem is not insignificant, with an average of 6.8 million tons of packaging waste produced each year in New York, constituting 40 percent of the total waste stream. Every year New York’s solid waste crisis continues to intensify, with municipal landfills nearing capacity, 17 percent of the State’s municipal solid waste exported out of state for disposal, and continued reliance on 11 incinerators across the state (the second highest number per state in the US).
source: www.nrdc.org/
Toxic chemicals in plastic
-
pfas aka forever chemicals
Found in nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, firefighting foam, dental floss, carpet and upholstery, and food packaging
-
PVC (POLYVINYL CHLORIDE)
Used in food packaging, can be found in items like cling wrap, blister packs, seals on metal lids, and certain food processing equipment
-
FORMALDEHYDE
Found in some plastics, glues, adhesives, and even some cosmetics and personal care products.
-
BISPHENOLS (bpa)
Found in food containers, baby bottles, water bottles, canned foods, and cash register receipts
-
TOLUENE
Found in Nylon used to making bathing suits, active wear, hosiery, lingerie, and outdoor apparel
-
PHTHALATES
Found in personal care products, food packaging, toys, medical devices, and building materials
MSWAB PLASTIC WASTE AUDIT RESULTS by neighborhood
2024 Total Waste Audit Data
Washington Heights, Manhattan '24
East Harlem, Manhattan '24
Clinton Hill, Brooklyn '24
South Bronx '24
Corona, Queens '24
Forest Hills, Queens '24
Kingsbridge, Bronx '24
Upper West Side, Manhattan '24
Washington Heights, Manhattan '23
Legislation
MSWAB supports the New York State Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act S.1464 which enacts the "packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure act" to require companies selling, offering for sale, or distributing packaging materials and products to register with a packaging reduction organization to develop a packaging reduction and recycling plan.
MSWAB also supports Senate Bill S237B which enacts the "packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure act" to require companies selling, offering for sale, or distributing packaging materials and products to register with a packaging reduction organization to develop a packaging reduction and recycling plan.
Cigarette filters are the most common type of plastic waste found in the environment
Newsletter
Sign up to receive MSWAB news and updates.