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Statement by Maura Toomey, Zero Waste Organizer for Clean Water Action before the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee Opposing A5803

June 14, 2021

Thank you for the opportunity to testify on this bill. Clean Water Action strongly opposes A5803, which would exempt plastic material processed at advanced plastic processing facilities from solid waste and recycling regulations, and urges the bill’s sponsor Assemblyman McKeon to pull this bill.

This is an attempt to create a market for “advanced recycling”, also known as “chemical recycling”, gasification, or pyrolysis. These terms

How to transition towards a plant-based diet to reduce your water footprint & eat healthier for yourself and the planet

In recent years, many people have started to pay attention to the science that shows the harmful effects that their heavy meat diets have on the land, animals, and water usage. A plant based diet --consisting of foods derived from plants – is generally found to be better for your health and the planet. A plant based diet includes vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and fruits - with little to no animal products.

This diet is a concept that has exploded in popularity

Although farmworkers are considered “essential workers,” they have been granted few protections prior to and during the pandemic. As Maryland’s most marginalized workers, farmworkers are particularly vulnerable to exposure to coronavirus because of high rates of respiratory disease due occupational hazards such as the application of pesticides, low rates of health insurance coverage, and substandard living and working conditions. They play a vital role in maintaining our food system, yet lack many of the legal protections that protect most workers, such as sick leave, health insurance, and