County action helps support sustainability in our community

Yesterday, the County Parks, Energy and Environment Committee recommended for adoption a resolution creating a policy to support the reduction or elimination of the use of single-use plastic or polystyrene foam products in County-owned and operated facilities. The resolution also requests the Director of Sustainability to draft contract language for approval by the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors directing Milwaukee County vendors and contractors to reduce or eliminate the use of single-use plastic or polystyrene foam products in County facilities.

Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, who helped craft and introduce this resolution while still serving as a County Supervisor, is pleased to see this item move forward. “The evidence has been clear for some time now that single-use plastic and polystyrene foam items are incredibly harmful to our environment, and I applaud my colleagues at the County for passing this measure yesterday,” she said. “It is only fitting that this resolution will be considered by the entire County Board at their next meeting on Earth Day, and I would urge them to adopt this item.”

Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson and County Supervisor Steven Shea, both co-sponsors of the resolution, share the sentiment. “Eliminating single-use plastics in county-owned facilities is essential in our commitment to sustainability,” said Chairwoman Nicholson. “It also sets an example for our partners across government bodies and in the private sector. We must all take steps to ensure a clean planet for generations to come.”

“This is about protecting our planet, which is polluted with plastic,” said Supervisor Shea. “Plastic can take centuries to degrade, and litters our parks, trails, and waterways. We must end our dependence on plastic. This resolution is a move towards that.”

The resolution will be before the full Board of Supervisors for adoption at its next regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, April 22 at 9:30 a.m.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.