plas•tic al•ba•tross
(plas-tik lb-tros)

1. The Plastic Albatross is a community-focused campaign that provides helpful information about toxins in PLASTICS and other household products, and how these substances affect our health and environment.

2. We encourage local families, businesses, and organizations to limit their exposure to and consumption of plastic and commonly used toxic chemicals to work toward a toxin-free future!

Policy

Reform State and Federal Chemical Policy

Our current state and federal regulatory systems fail to protect our families and communities. They legally allow the commercial production and distribution of toxic chemicals, which are known to cause serious health and environmental problems.

Many state-based organizations are working toward chemical policy reform. Please help support these efforts and protect yourself and your community from toxic threats by contacting your elected officials and state and federal agencies.

Learn more about Reforming Federal Chemical Policy at the NRDC.

Protect NYC Drinking Water | Support The Frac Act

This important federal bill will subject hydraulic fracturing (a toxic natural gas drilling process) to the Safe Drinking Water Act and compel drillers to disclose the toxic chemicals they use in their fracking fluids by repealing the “Halliburton Exemption.”

Support The Endocrine Disruption Prevention Act of 2009 (HR-4190/S2828)

Senator John Kerry (MA) and Representative Jim Moran (VA) have introduced federal legislation to fund a study of toxic chemicals known as endocrine disrupting chemicals, or EDC’s.  These toxic chemicals are routinely used in fracking fluids, and are suspected of contributing to a whole host of health issues including learning disabilities, testicular cancer, and breast cancer.

Ask your state legislators to sponsor as MA-style Safer Alternatives Bill

The SAFER ALTERNATIVES BILL is sponsored by Massachusetts Representative Jay Kaufman and Senator Steven Tolman. This bill will create a program to replace toxic chemicals with safer alternatives wherever a feasible, safer alternative exists. Ask your Representatives and Senators to create a similar bill for New York State!

Tell the EPA to protect kids from dangerous pesticides in pet flea products

Ban Plastic Shopping Bags in NYC

Petition the City of New York to impose taxes on stores that provide customers with plastic bags. The stores, in turn, should charge customers to use their bags, should be required to sell reusable bags or provide paper bags.

Contact the NYS Assembly and support Assemblymember Micah Kellner’s bill to tax on all plastic bags with handles given out by any store in the city that collects sales tax. It’s not great, but it’s a start!

 

For more information on these and other upcoming legislation visit: Just Green Partnership, Safer States, Catskill Citizens, and NRDC.