The N.H. House Commerce Committee has held a hearing on the banning of polystyrene products for food service and storage. The bill is not a total ban, but a good start.
It is alarming what harm is being done to the planet by single-use, artificial products made of petroleum. These products have proliferated in human society to such an extent that finding a non-plastic version of what we seek is becoming impossible.
According to National Geographic, of water tested from the ocean off of the U.S., Europe, India, Japan, and other locations, all contained derivatives of polystyrene. Elsewhere, National Geographic states that 80% of the ocean litter is made of plastic. It is deadly to sea life.
As a volunteer city trail steward, I collect trash left by the trails. Ninety-eight percent is plastic cups, straws, and wrappers, and foam trays, cups, and containers. Unsightly and, even if collected, on the earth for millennia.
Polystyrene is relatively cheap to buy but the cost to all of us, grocers and cooks included, is too high. There are other, safer products available.
If polystyrene is replaced with more environmentally friendly products, I believe people will notice and be pleased that their grocer/restaurant is doing the right thing. As with most things, there is savings in volume. The more these less-harmful products are purchased, the greater the production and the lower the cost will become for consumers and merchants.
Let your representative know that you are in favor of passing this bill, HB 618.
GAIL PAGE
Concord