By Lily Makhlouf
In a room filled with student government leaders and
student environmental leaders, a bill was passed unanimously by the Ramapo
College Student Government Association (SGA) on January 29 to ban the purchase
and usage of Styrofoam products within its organization. The success of Bill
2018-01, introduced and proposed by SGA Senator Ryan Greff, signals a great
step forward for Ramapo College’s ongoing efforts to properly regulate and
reduce campus waste.
The bill
prohibits “the direct purchase and direct usage of all Styrofoam products” by
SGA and its body of members. This legislature marks the first time the SGA has
taken measures to regulate Styrofoam purchase and use.
Styrofoam, the colloquial term for polystyrene
products made by Dow Chemical Company, is made of styrene, a potential
carcinogen, according to the Environmental Protection Agency and the
International Agency for Research on Cancer. Acute exposure can cause
irritation of the skin, eyes, and upper respiratory tract. Long term, chronic
exposure can also lead to problems related to the nervous system and kidneys.
People who work in polystyrene manufacturing are at high risk of exposure,
however consumers of these products are also at risk of exposure to chemicals
in the product.
Polystyrene products are problematic for the
environment as well. While some recycling companies accept Styrofoam through
special programs, many will not recycle it. Contamination from food, drink, and
other materials often prevents Styrofoam from being recycled, so the product
ends up in the trash where it makes up 30% of total landfill volume. State and
local government’s have decided to act on this issue by creating restrictions
on usage of polystyrene products. Cities in several states including New York,
California, and Massachusetts have passed legislation banning polystyrene
products within businesses and public spaces.
When asked why he chose to push forward with this
bill, Greff, a finance major, stated, “I was inspired to regulate the use of
the material due to the long term economic impacts from the disposal of
Styrofoam. This could eventually cause the cost of living to be higher for
people, including graduated Ramapo College students. Furthermore, Styrofoam
presents a big danger to plant and animal life. I spent a great deal of time in
the outdoors as an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. As a result, I
grew to appreciate nature. Therefore, I thought it was best to stop SGA's
monetary transactions and uses that would go to supporting the Styrofoam
industry.”
In terms of SGA’s budget, Greff said that “each year
the SGA spends roughly $50,000 on large events and activities (ex: Founder's
Day) put on for the entire campus. Prohibiting the purchase and direct use of
Styrofoam for these kinds of events would be a great way to protect the planet.
With the bill passed, roughly $1,000,000 has the potential to be used in a more
environmentally friendly manner over the course of the next 20 years.”
Ryan Greff has been working closely with members of
the President’s Committee on Campus Sustainability to help improve Ramapo
College’s progress in sustainability. In the Fall Semester of 2017, he, along
with student environmental advocates were successful in passing a bill that
regulates proper recycling in SGA funded events with organizations across
campus. This legislature comes at a time of pressing concern regarding the
environment. Improper waste disposal and consumption of environmentally
detrimental products are major contributions to environmental issues.
Ramapo College is working towards a zero waste goal in
sustainability—one that aims to inform and educate its community on waste
reduction and conscious consumption. While this process is certainly a great
undertaking, victories, like the regulation of Styrofoam, are moving the
college closer to its goal. If this legislation proves to be a positive feat,
the plan is that it will later expand to encompass a greater circle of
organizations across campus.
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