Sup. Dimitrijevic Calls for Elimination of Single-Use “Forever Plastics”
MILWAUKEE – Supervisor Marina Dimitrijevic is calling for Milwaukee County to phase out single-use plastics and other non-biodegradable products from Milwaukee County facilities and parks in order to reduce waste and improve water quality.
“We must take immediate steps now to reduce the amount of forever plastics in our waterways. Milwaukee County should be a leader on environmental sustainability issues and that starts with taking action and getting our own house in order,” said Dimitrijevic.
Dimitrijevic has introduced a county policy “to reduce or eliminate single-use plastic products and polystyrene foam” at Milwaukee County facilities.
Supervisor Marcelia Nicholson is a co-sponsor of the measure.
“I’m proud to co-sponsor this plan that starts with our county-owned operations, then expands to contracts and places we support. We will be the largest county in the state to lead on clean waterways for our future. We must take these steps now to ensure a clean planet for generations to come,” said Nicholson
Dimitrijevic’s resolution directs the Office of Sustainability to draft contract language reflecting the new policy in advance of renewing vendor contracts, and to encourage vendors to start complying with the policy early, even before current contracts are up.
“Some will say that requiring county vendors to eliminate single-use plastics will burden these businesses with extra costs. The reality is that taxpayers have been subsidizing these businesses by absorbing their environmental impact costs in the form of plastic-filled waterways and waste management fees. 22 million pounds of plastic enter our Great Lakes every year, and it’s on us to lead the way in tackling that problem,” said Dimitrijevic.
The advocacy group Milwaukee Riverkeeper issued a statement in support of the initiative, saying “Milwaukee Riverkeeper, as a member of the Plastic Free MKE Coalition, is in favor of this measure to reduce the use of single-use plastic and polystyrene foam products in Milwaukee County and appreciates Supervisor Dimitrijevic’s efforts to take on this issue.”
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.
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South Shore Terrace Beer Garden here it comes! Your chance to lead the way to single use plastic free! Thank you Supervisors Dimitrijevic and Nicholson. This is one small step in raising awareness and bringing the need to make different daily lifestyle choices that can have a big effect. There is much else to learn so we need to get on the way.