My new video shows how Marcellus shale gas is changing economics of plastic production, increasing risks of plastic pollution and climate change.
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Category Archives: Plastic Pollution
The Pennsylvania Story: More Plastic Pollution in the Making
Posted in Climate Change, Plastic Pollution
Tagged climate, environment, plastic bags, Plastic Pollution
Philadelphia’s Single Use Plastic Bag To Be introduced Soon
Councilman Squilla has announced that he plans to introduce a single use plastic bag bill that will reduce bag use in Philadelphia by 80% in first year.
Posted in General, Phila Trash, Plastic Pollution
Plastic Marine Debris – Wildlife Killer
EPA’s National Trash Free Waters Program is described in this PDF (link)
Posted in Plastic Pollution
Tagged marine debris, Philadelpha stormwater trash, Philadelphia litter
Stormwater Contribution to Microplastics – 2 California Studies
We intuitively know that much of the plastic litter on our city streets will be carried by stormwater runoff to our creeks and rivers. We also know that macro plastic breaks down into microplastics (< 5 mm) and that researchers have found elevated levels in freshwater and marine waters across the globe.
Unfortunately there is little peer reviewed research into the direct link between stormwater runoff and microplastic levels in river and coastal bays.
Two California microplastic studies conducted by Algalita Marine Research Foundation (link) conducted in 2000 – 2001 demonstrate the role that stormwater runoff plays in Southern California coastal water and shows why we need aquatic microplastic research in the Schuylkill – Delaware Basin.
Posted in Plastic Pollution
Trash and Microplastics in the Delaware Estuary
The DRBC’s Monitoring Advisory Coordinating Committee (MACC) and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary held their annual joint meeting on Tuesday, March 8.
I presented this slide show at the meeting to encourage DRBC and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary to begin to address plastic trash as a serious water quality challenge for the Delaware Estuary.
The presentation pdf is here
Posted in Plastic Pollution
Plastic Litter = Water Pollution
@PhillyMayor @christinemknapp @CouncilwomanBRB Plastic litter = serious water pollution prob https://t.co/7C8ptxhsB9 pic.twitter.com/G5BDKEzZRI
— Kelly O’Day (@dkod) January 11, 2016
Posted in Plastic Pollution
History of Philadelphia’s Plastic Litter Battle
The Schuylkill Navy Rivers Stewards Committee held a Street Litter – River Trash workshop on 11/19/15 that included representatives from the with Philadelpha’s Streets-Water-Parks & Recreation Departments as well a number of other groups.
I presented a talk on the history of Philadelphia’s plastic litter. Here are links pdf and PowerPoint copies of my talk.