Hundreds Rally at Capitol for Packaging Reduction, Bigger Better Bottle Bill

On Wednesday, May 7, several hundred advocates were at the New York Capitol to urge legislative leaders to pass the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act and the Bigger Better Bottle Bill. They also held a rally where speakers discussed the negative impacts of polluting trash incinerators and overflowing landfills near their homes, and shared how legislation to reduce waste will save money. They highlighted the increasing evidence of how micro and nanoplastics are negatively impacting upon the human body. They released a letter in support from 30 leading environmental justice groups, including NAACP New York, Hispanic Federation, and Hip Hop Caucus. We hear from Blair Horner of NYPIRG; Ryan Castalia of Sure We Can, a nonprofit recycling and redemption center in Brooklyn; Senator Pete Harckham; Vanessa Fajans-Turner of Environmental Advocates NY; Yvonne Taylor of Seneca Lake Guardians; Courtney Williams of Westchester Alliance for Sustainable Solutions; and, Dr. Sandra Steingraber of Concerned Health Professionals of New York. By Mark Dunlea for the Hudson Mohawk Magazine