The headlines screaming about the myth of safe plastic are becoming louder. We cannot turn away from the tragic plastic chemical rail disaster in Ohio, or how plastics are in our drinking water, our food, and our bodies. That’s why we’re tackling the problem head on this year and we need you to help us succeed! Help us pass AB 1290 (L. Rivas), The Problematic Plastics Act.
AB 1290 will ban 6 of the most heinous types of plastic and plastic additives in packaging. These materials contaminate recycling or harm human health and the environment:
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is the chemical now contaminating New Palestine, Ohio thanks to the recent rail disaster. This chemical is extremely toxic at all stages of lifecycle.
- Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are highly toxic and persistent "forever chemicals.
- Nondetectable Pigments (e.g., Carbon Black) are not only not recyclable but carbon black is also a carcinogen when inhaled, putting workers at risk.
- Oxo-Degradable Additives are the chemicals that make a plastic fragment into those tiny pieces that can’t be cleaned up and are spreading through the environment and into living things, including humans.
- Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG) contaminates otherwise recyclable batches of PET plastics, making the entire load unrecyclable.
- Pigments added to PET bottles to make them opaque or novel colors limits the end market for otherwise recyclable plastics.
The good news is that all 6 of these materials are either unnecessary or can be easily replaced by safer alternatives. California, with its huge market, can go big on plastics by getting rid of these unneeded and harmful materials in our packaging now.
Contact your state legislators now and tell them it’s time to ditch the “problem 6” and support AB 1290.
