Hi John,

 

Recently, I participated in a survey of our waterways across the commonwealth with PennEnvironment. I helped collect samples from Darby Creek at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. We were looking for microplastics in 53 waterways, and altogether, the environmental advocacy group collected 300 samples.

 

Sadly, microplastics were present in all of our streams, rivers, and lakes.

 

As Faran Savitz with PennEnvironment stated, plastics don't just break down into organic materials the way paper or food waste does -- they simply break into smaller pieces of plastic. When those pieces are about the size of a pencil eraser or smaller, they're called microplastics.

 

When single-use plastics like bags, bottles, and food containers deteriorate in our landfills, they break down and spread toxins and chemicals into our environment. This impacts our air, water, and soil -- and as I'm sure you can imagine, these harmful pollutants disproportionately impact our children and families in our most vulnerable communities.

 

That's why I plan to sponsor the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act, which will set responsibility requirements for producers, phase out products that cannot be recycled, and place a temporary pause on new plastic facilities.

 

I believe it's important that we begin working to mitigate our plastics problems and pass this bill as quickly as possible to protect our environment and our health. But before I sponsor this bill, I would like to hear from you.

 

Will you take our brief environmental survey today? Here's the link: https://s.surveyplanet.com/hxxhzZiGZ

 

I look forward to reviewing your responses. If you could take our survey before midnight, your answers will be recorded in the report I review first thing in the morning.

 

Thank you for your time and input on topics like these.

 

Best,

Mary Gay

 

P.S. Thanks to everyone who helped us reach last night's staffing goal. I was worried we might fall short, but I am so grateful to know I can count on this team.