Page 36 - Plastics News December 2021

INTERNATIoNAL NEwS

Pennsylvania Governor Introduces Litter Action Canada Focuses On

Plan Polystyrene Recycling

PennDOT Secretary anada’s Minister of Innovation,
Yassmin Gramian CScience and Industry has
noted that the agency’s confirmed an investment of $3.5 million
annual $14 million in Montreal-based Polystyvert through
cost to clean up litter Sustainable Development Technology
makes litter prevention Canada (SDTC). This is the second
especially important. SDTC investment in Polystyvert and
“We recognize we need part of a continuing collaboration
to change behavior, not that is helping the company become
just clean up the mess,” a leader in the recycling of widely
Gramian says.“With used synthetic plastics. Polystyvert
this commonwealth will use the investment to expand
Litter Action Plan, its patented recycling technology,
ennsylvania Governor Tom we’ve provided examples, resources which aims to create a full circular
PWolf, the state secretaries for the and calls to action so we can make economy for polystyrene materials
Department of Transportation and some transformative change here in that are rarely accepted in kerbside
the Department of Environmental Pennsylvania.” DEP has funded “Pick collection programmes.The company’s
Protection (DEP), Rep. Mike Sturla Up Pennsylvania” community litter technology recycles styrene plastics
and city of Lancaster Mayor Danene cleanups and illegal dumpsite cleanups for to produce recycled polystyrene
Sorace joined other administration and over two decades, supporting volunteers resins for use in manufacturing new
community stakeholder to highlight in removing many tons of trash from products, including food containers.
local anti-littering measures and call for the state’s land and water. As littering Minister Champagne said: “Now is
action to combat Pennsylvania’s litter- has persisted, DEP sponsored with the time for ambitious climate action.
problem at all levels statewide. The Wolf PennDOT the first comprehensive
administration released the state’s first state study to inform development of
Litter Action Plan–which reflects the the Litter Action Plan, with a focus on
work of more than 100 stakeholders changing littering behavior. “DEP is
from state and local government, committed to helping drive a statewide
businesses and the legislature. The shift to litter prevention,” says DEP
plan includes current initiatives and Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “If we
recommendations to clean up the more bring the same energy to litter prevention
than 500 million pieces of litter that are initiatives that thousands of volunteers
estimated to be scattered throughout the have brought to cleaning up litter in Cleantech innovation, entrepreneurship
commonwealth. “Pennsylvania is a great their communities, we’ll turn a corner and commercialization are key
place to live, work and raise a family. It’s on Pennsylvania’s trash problem and to the vital shift to a healthier
a beautiful state with stunning landscapes we’ll gain the community and economic environment and a net-zero carbon
and bountiful natural resources, but benefits of a healthier environment.” economy.“Today’s announcement
we’ve got a litter problem,” Wolf says. o develop Pennsylvania’s Litter Action will boost our leadership in climate
“Litter is bad for the environment Plan, DEP and PennDOT formed 4 and waste reduction technologies and
and our communities; it’s a drain on workgroups around 4 specific behavior help foster a truly Canadian success
taxpayer dollars. Today, I’m excited change strategies. These strategies are part story.”The investment is SDTC’s
to unveil a solution that all 13 million of Keep America Beautiful's behavior second investment in Polystyvert and is
Pennsylvanians can be a part of it’s a change model, which is based on a intended to help Canada meet its 2030
blueprint for a cleaner commonwealth.” renowned social psychologist’s nationally climate goals.The company will use the
Demonstrating the cost of litter to recognized model of behavior change. investment to expedite its ideas and
communities and the commonwealth, rapidly bring them to market.

36 PLASTICS NEWS DECEMBER 2021