According to Legislator Alex A. MacKinnon of Gouverneur, the purpose of Plastics Disposal Week is to remind residents that to dispose of waste plastics with their waste hauler or at a county transfer station, It s easy, it s cheap, and it s being a good neighbor. See BOL Plastics Resolution . Burning plastics releases noxious smoke and may release cancer-causing gases into the air.
People downwind have to breathe that air.
Burying plastics with other waste can contaminate soil and groundwater. Plastics Disposal Week is promoting recycling, or responsible disposal, for plastic waste. Dairy farmers Judy Aldrich and Alex MacKinnon each analyzed the disposal costs for all their household and farm-related wastes, including silage bags, bale wraps and other plastics. Aldrich said, This cost is an insignificant part of the overall cost of doing business. He emphasized that Lenders are requiring environmental assessments these days before they agree to finance farm loans.