PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Ulrike Nischan, Representative of Solid Waste Advisory Board on Reducing Single-Use Plastics
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Ulrike Nischan, representing the Solid Waste Advisory Board, testified in support of Intro 695, which proposes a study on reducing single-use plastic items and advancing environmental justice. She highlighted NYC's successful initiatives in reducing plastic waste and offered recommendations for further action.
- Recommended banning toxic chemicals in single-use food packaging and ensuring non-toxic alternatives
- Suggested banning plastics that are difficult or not economically viable to recycle
- Emphasized NYC's successful track record in reducing single-use plastics through various local laws and initiatives
Ulrike Nischan
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Thank you, Cherubu.
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My name is Ulricha, Nishan, who's flying on behalf of the swabs.
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The Manhattan Brooklyn Bronx and Queensland waste advisory boards are supportive of intros 695 in its current form, which proposes a requirement to conduct a comprehensive study of new waste policy initiatives that would reduce the sale distribution and use the single use plastic items, the city and advanced environmental justice through such reductions with free recommendations.
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First, a ban on toxic chemicals in single use food packaging, particularly the 14 known coccyx prevalent in plastics today.
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2nd, requiring any products intended as substitutions for single use classic packaging also be non toxic.
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Many such alternative products currently on the market contain high levels of PFAS, And lastly, banning plastic that are either difficult to recycle or for which recycling is not an economically viable option.
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In show 695 would help build on New York City's legacy of reducing the use of single use plastic materials.
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In the last decade, the city has instituted several initiatives that have undoubtedly contributed New York's over £100 reduction in per household aggregate annual rough use of recycling collections from 10 years ago.
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These initiatives include local law 142, which prohibits the use of single use foam and packaging peanuts.
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Local law 63, which would have banned plastic bags later redacted as a statewide ban.
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Local law 17, which prohibits restaurants and food delivery services from including silver and other extras and takeout orders.
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Unless customers expressly request these items.
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And lastly, citywide monthly plastic free lunch day where no single use plastic packaging is served in cafeterias in your 3 schools.
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These examples of materials reduction initiatives resulted in a significant reduction in the consumption of single use plastic in New York City and prove that these efforts are not only tolerable for New York City residents.
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They work.
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So thank you for holding this hearing to introduce this important bill and for your consideration today.
