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The Ecology Center convened the Berkeley Plastics Task Force in February of 1995 to study plastic waste issues, and provide data for the City of Berkeley to look at the feasibility of picking up plastics as part of the established residential curbside recycling program. Members of the Task Force have included Ecology Center staff and board members, representatives of Berkeley's recycling programs, members of the academic community, and other experts on environmental issues.
In order to give consumers and decision-makers some hard facts in a sea of industry promotional and emotional messages, The Task Force produced a report on plastic packaging, plastics "recycling" and other issues surrounding plastics in the waste stream. The Task Force consulted with environmental organizations, plastics industry experts, recycling program operators, solid waste management companies, and public agencies for information and comments on its findings. The 1996 Report of the Berkeley Plastics Task Force is a comprehensive, scientific and independent look at the full life cycle of plastics, from production through disposal.
Findings of the Report include:
Also, with plastics recycling and use come the impacts of production, processing and disposal. Many of the chemicals used to produce plastic resins pose serious health risks. Significant toxic emissions into air and water have been associated with plastics plants, with the plastics industry contributing 14% of the national total of air emissions. Emissions of contaminated waste water are estimated to be 300-500 gallons a minute per plant.
The Berkeley Plastics Task Force is continuing to research and develop public education materials for consumers, and plans to bring a public education campaign to the supermarkets. The following fact sheets can be viewed here:
Common misconceptions about plastic & plastic recycling + strategies for reducing environmental impact
"Adverse Health Effects of Plastics" outlines the known negative health effects of common plastics. (For more information about the adverse health effects of plastics and other household chemicals, visit http://www.pbs.org/tradesecrets/options/protecting.html)
Toxins, endocrine disruptors and carcinogens that migrate from the molecules of different plastic containers to their contents
For more information regarding toxics, visit mindfully.org!
Plastics
Task Force
Phone: (510) 527-5555