U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner held a press conference Sunday to raise awareness to the issue of excessive packaging. The New York congressman represents the 9th district in Queens and introduced The Packaging Reduction Act of 2008 (HR 6325) this summer.
Congressman Weiner's press conference was designed to draw attention to excessive packaging when many people are buying gifts for the upcoming holiday season. The congressman had examples of toys and other items which had excessive plastic packaging. He showed a six-inch action figure wrapped in 72 square inches of plastic and fitted with two cardboard inserts; and a single shaving razor wrapped in plastic four times the amount needed and fitted with three cardboard inserts.
Weiner is introducing a new bill that will reduce wasteful product packaging by at least 30 percent over the next 10 years. Weiner’s legislation will direct the Environmental Protection Agency to write new packaging regulations for consumer product packaging.
According to Weiner, it is estimated that New York City will create an additional 15,000 tons of garbage during the early December holiday shopping season, enough waste to fill 1,000 garbage trucks.
The plastic wrapping associated with packaging on consumer goods accounts for 3,000 tons of waste every week in the City.
"We've all seen outrageous examples of tiny products wrapped in harmful and excessive packaging. Consumers have always looked for quality products and a good deal," said Weiner. "This holiday season I urge them to also look for products with responsible packaging."
Its encouraging to see the issue of excessive packaging getting the attention of a member of congress. We'll continue to follow Congressman Weiner's efforts on this bill and the issue of excessive packaging.
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