What do lead, dioxin, benzene and toluene have in common? They are all highly toxic, and they are produced in great amounts as the “side products” at “advanced recycling” facilities throughout the United States. “Advanced recycling” is a process that uses extreme heat and chemicals to break down plastics, to produce fuels or new plastic. Last year, the NH House passed a bill permitting advanced recycling facilities in our state.

The Department of Environmental Services (DES) denied a petition from the NH HealthCare Workers for Climate Action (1,000 strong) to create regulations that would give us guardrails assuring such facilities would not be off-gassing these toxic brews, saying lawmakers did not provide them authority to protect our air, water and land from advanced recycling. This year, the bill SB 267 will be heard in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 7 to give the DES jurisdiction to regulate this largely untested process. Please join me by contacting your state senator to support SB 267.

Susan Richman

Durham

]]>