Turtle Island Restoration Network joined more than 270
community and conservation organizations to file a legal petition in July that
demands the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency adopt strict new
water-pollution limits for industrial plants that create plastic.
Plastic plants discharged 128 million pounds of pollutants
into U.S. waterways last year, their operators reported to the EPA ― including
77,859 pounds of the most toxic pollutants.
The petition calls for a total ban on the discharge of
plastic pollution and detectable levels of the most dangerous toxic pollutants,
including dioxin and benzene. As the fossil fuel industry increases plastic
production and builds dozens of new facilities around the country, the petition
says updated regulations are needed to protect waterways and public health.
“These relentless
plastic barons can no longer deny the impact producing plastic has on oceans,
waterways, wildlife, and even public health,” said Development Associate Stepph
Sharpe. “They must be held responsible for their past, current, and future
plans to put life in the crosshairs in the name of a detrimental product that
has many sustainable alternatives.”
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