PennEnvironment's petition to ban polystyrene in Pennsylvania

[text from a PennEnvironment email, because it contains a lot more information than the petition page -- the petition message is customizable, so you can add talking points from this email.]  

Polystyrene foam, which you've probably been handed in the form of a takeout coffee cup, takes hundreds of years to decompose.1 Over time, it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, becoming ever easier for an animal to swallow.

In the belly of a sea turtle or a dolphin, this plastic can lead to sickness, starvation and death.2 The momentary convenience of keeping a drink warm leads to centuries of pollution and harm.

This isn't worth it. Tell Gov. Josh Shapiro: Ban polystyrene foam.

Each year, 26 million metric tons of polystyrene foam are produced worldwide, much of it for the purpose of single-use disposable items, like beverage cups and food containers.3

Thousands of tons of plastic are ending up in landfills or in the ocean, where marine animals consume it, damaging their intestines and causing painful, unnecessary deaths.

And because less than 3% of polystyrene gets recycled in the United States, every time we throw it away, we have to make more.4

This process is energy intensive and polluting, requiring petroleum and a host of other highly polluting ingredients that can leach into our food and drink.5

In fact, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has listed styrene -- the chemical released from polystyrene containers -- as a potential carcinogen.6 Polystyrene is just not good for us or the planet, and when safer and more sustainable alternatives exist, there is no reason to keep using it.

Call on Gov. Shapiro to take this step toward a zero-waste future.

We can create a country without polystyrene foam, but we need you to stand with us.

The support of people like you has helped our national network pass legislation banning single-use polystyrene foam containers in 11 states and counting.7

These bans could bolster global progress on polystyrene, too. The European Union's ban on polystyrene went into effect in July 2021.8 Countries such as France, Germany and Spain provide a roadmap for living without polystyrene and the harm it does to our planet. 

Why not make Pennsylvania the next place to say "no" to polystyrene?

Add your name: Help us keep one of the worst forms of plastic from harming wildlife.

Thank you,

David Masur
Executive Director

1. Mike Wehner, "It takes decades for polystyrene to break down, even in direct sunlight," BGR, October 13, 2019.
2. "Why is Marine Debris a Problem?" National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, last accessed October 10, 2023.
3. "Production forecast of thermoplastics worldwide from 2020 to 2050, by type," Statista, last accessed October 10, 2023.
4. Ross Sherman, "Statement: Maryland's plastic foam ban officially becomes law," Environment America, May 24, 2019.
5. "Why you should never use styrofoam again," Going Green, last accessed October 10, 2023.
6. "New substances added to HHS Report on Carcinogens," National Institutes of Health, June 10, 2011.
7. "Reducing Plastic Waste in the States," Environment America, last accessed October 10, 2023.
8. "EU restrictions on certain single-use plastics," The European Commission, last accessed October 10, 2023.

Movement-building workshop resources

These documents and links are offered as an educational resource, in conjunction with our Sustainability Salon series on movement-building and creating effective campaigns (including salons 141, 142, 144, and 145).  There's a video of the first one here.

You can learn more about Bill Moyer's Movement Action Plan on the Commons Social Change Library web site, and in videos like this one. 

Thanks to Penn Garvin for facilitating these sessions, and for these resources (click on each image for a larger view).

Job opportunity: Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse

Creative Reuse is hiring a part-time Operations Assistant, who will work behind the scenes in support of the staff and organization.  More information and application are here. 

Job opportunity: Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community

 BCMAC is looking to hire an executive director!

BCMAC’s mission is to protect the residents of Southwestern Pennsylvania, with emphasis on those in Beaver County, by informing them about the health, safety, environmental and economic impacts of fracking infrastructure, including the petrochemical buildout and by supporting sustainable alternatives to carbon-based energy sources and economic development strategies in Beaver County.

Job opportunity: Climate Nexus

Climate Nexus is expanding their Methane Team. The new campaign associate will help hold the oil and gas industry accountable for reducing methane pollution, and pressure governmental entities to stand up to the industry and craft policies that prioritize communities and the planet over corporate profits. Simply put, they want to humanize the fight against methane polluters.

Campaign Associate – Methane Accountability, Campaigns & Strategies

This is a remote position and they have team members across the country. 

Campfire Dispatch archive available

 The Campfire Dispatch is a newsletter about climate action and climate news in Pennsylvania.  Due to organizational changes, it has moved -- you can view past articles here.  

Job opportunities: several openings at CIEL

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) is hiring for five positions! 

On their Fossil Economy team:

Corporate Accountability Attorney (Petrochemicals)

Financial Campaigner (Petrochemicals)

Senior Campaigner, Geoengineering

On their Communications team:

Communications Director

Communications Campaigns Specialist (US Petrochemicals Digital Campaigns)

Connect with CIEL online: 

www.ciel.org | facebook | twitter 

Job opportunity: Compost program coordinator

 The City is starting up some municipal composting efforts, and needs someone to help run the program.  

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Pittsburgh/jobs/3867892/community-coordinator

Energy Efficiency in Buildings

Photo by Ksenia Chernaya vis Pexels.com

Home Energy Efficiency checklist

Things you can do to cut your energy costs (without sacrificing comfort), courtesy of Jonathan Nadle.

Energy Efficiency in Buildings   By Jonathan Nadle.   © 2023   

Occupant behaviors and building maintenance problems can increase energy consumption and utility costs.  Here are ways to gain control of your use while maintaining comfort and safety.

Furnaces, Boilers & Central Air Conditioning: 

• Check the furnace filter at least once a year – twice with central A/C – and replace it as needed.  Electrostatically charged, pleated paper filters are more effective than fiberglass ones.  
• Cover the filter slot with tape or a magnetic strip to prevent basement air from being sucked in.     
• Reattach any disconnected ducts.  Air seal all accessible ductwork with aluminized tape or, preferably, with duct sealing mastic to reduce leakage of conditioned air.    
• Insulate ducts that run through unconditioned attics, crawl spaces, and garages.  
• Keep all return registers uncovered, with no rugs or furniture blocking the air flow.
• Keep the thermostat fan setting on “auto” so that the fan only runs when the a/c or furnace is on.
• Keep the A/C temp set at 72º or higher; keep the furnace/boiler temp set at 72º or lower. 
• Use a programmable or “smart” thermostat, or manually “set back” temps at night / when away.
• For hydronic heating systems, remove water line air (at the radiator bleed valves) annually.
• If your gas heating system is old, inefficient, or needs expensive repair, consider replacement with a high efficiency (90+ AFUE), Energy Star qualified model (or an electric heat pump).
• Have the heating system serviced at least every other year (clean & tune) to ensure it’s running safely and as efficiently as possible. 

Refrigerators & Freezers:

• Replace old, inefficient units with new Energy Star qualified models.   
• Keep fridges 2/3 full to help reduce cold air loss when they’re opened.
• Vacuum clean the fridge’s condenser coils (behind or beneath) annually; more often with pets.
• Don’t let excessive ice (½” +) build up in manual defrost models. 

Clothes Dryers:

• Vent all dryers, electric as well as gas, to the outside.  Install a rigid metal (best choice) or flexible metal (not vinyl) vent hose using the shortest, most direct route to the outside possible.  Unvented dryers reduce indoor air quality, and can even cause health and safety problems.
• Clean the lint filter after each load; check and if necessary clean out the vent hose annually. 
• Use the automatic settings on newer dryers so clothes aren’t over dried.  If an electric dryer load takes over an hour, the vent hose may be clogged with lint or the heating element worn out. 
• If you do a lot of laundry, consider getting an efficient, Energy Star qualified washer.  These models use significantly less energy and water than commensurate non-Energy Star models.  
• If it's practical for you, consider line-drying your clothes... for free.

Dehumidifiers:

• As with a fridge, vacuum clean the condenser coils a time or two each year.
• Replace older units that run a lot with a new, efficient Energy Star qualified model.   
• Set the humidistat control on medium (40 - 50% relative humidity, not lower).  This allows the unit to periodically cycle off, keeping the air reasonably dry at moderate cost. 

Lighting:

• When you leave a room, turn off the lights!  Also turn off TVs, computers, etc.  
• During the day, open drapes and blinds to take advantage of free, natural daylight.  
• Install ultra-efficient, long-lived Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights in all your light fixtures, or at least those used three or more hours per day.  

Window A/C:

• Use fans for cooling instead of a/c when you can, as fans are much cheaper to run.  
• Replace heavily used, older a/c units with new, efficient Energy Star qualified models.
• Keep the room door closed when the a/c is on.  Turn the a/c unit off in unoccupied rooms.          
• Clean the air filter (behind the front grille) as needed, when it’s visibly dirty. 
• Install the a/c unit with a slight downward tilt to the outside so that condensate water doesn’t pool inside it.  Air seal around the unit and also between the raised window sash and glass.

Hot Water Heaters:

• Promptly repair any shower or sink hot water drips; replace a leaking tank.
• Set the heater thermostat dial on the medium setting, so the tank provides 125 - 130º F water.   
• Insulate the first 6 feet of cold, and all accessible hot water lines with foam pipe insulation.

Home Weatherization:

• Have a home energy audit done to determine cost effective energy efficiency improvements. 
• Decide what measures, if any, you want do yourself, such as caulking doors and windows, installing weather stripping and door sweeps, and air sealing and insulating basement sill boxes.  
• Consider hiring a professional weatherization contractor to do some (or all) of the work, especially things like blowing in attic and exterior wall insulation.  Most provide free estimates.  

 Resources:

• There are many websites and YouTube videos that offer good information and guidance on weatherization and energy efficiency.  A good place to start at is the EPA’s Energy Star website: 

www.energystar.gov.