Letter to Mayor Collins, Commissioner Blumberg and Commissioner Horn.
Sustainable Margate would like to request an ordinance that will require contractors and homeowners to take protective measures to prevent microplastics from entering the environment.
Plastic particle contaminates generated by the cutting, scraping, drilling, of products from poly compounds such as TREX and AZAK are buried in the ground, in wetlands and in the ocean.
Microplastics in the ocean can bind with other harmful chemicals before being ingested by marine organisms. They have been detected in marine organisms from plankton to whales, in commercial seafood, and even in drinking water.
We have noticed poor contractor practices who fail to contain their cuttings while particles fly in the wind and land in the soil and eventually into the storm drains. These particles will never break down.
Sustainable Margate has searched the web to see if we can find any communities who have ordinances requiring contractors to contain these particles. Finding none we have created our own sampling for consideration.
Taking preventive measures will build awareness and help slow down this growing global problem.
Sincerely,
Sustainable Margate
Stephen Jasiecki, Chair
Worried about plastic debris? You will be busy cleaning dead fish from the beach from your windmills.
It is not hard to contain most of the cutting of any material if you have a saw with a strong vacuum hooked up to the exhaust outlet.
It would require new equipment and more time to complete the job.
Which would increase the cost of any job.
Hi Richard. Thank you for your comments. Nobody likes to change the way they are doing things, not even contractors. But I would argue that it would take less time and cost less by implementing simple, easy changes AND they will be looked at more favorably by residents.
Also, if they were smart, they would promote their “environmentally friendly” and “sustainable” work practices like many businesses do.
Here is estimated cost to contractor for a “Contaminant Containment Kit” every contractor should have.
· Pop-up tent enclosure 10’x12′ – $150
· Large Tarp 14′ x 20′ – $20
· Medium Tarp 10′ x 12″ – $10
· Small Tarp 6′ x 10′ – $6
· Vacuum attachments and saw muzzles – vary $12 to $75
· Masks – $25 for 20
· Broom/Dustpan – $25
· Temporary fencing to go around the work site – This will vary depending on the size of the site and the type of fencing. It could be plywood.
(links to items above can be provided by me – researched them before quoting prices).
So a basic kit is $250 – $311, not including the fencing they need anyway with new construction.
I would argue that cleaning up the floor of a 10’x12′ enclosure and emptying and vacuum attachment would take a few minutes a day.
(a lot less time and more effective then cleaning up microplastics and other debris from the ground, air and streets) AND there would be great praise and appreciation from neighbors!
Been building and developing for 30 years. Construction products created for longevity inherently have destructive elements that never breakdown. She has identified a universal problem with little to no solution. MICRO is just that. Nothing we create in construction or most other industry for our comfort and consumption is good for our environment and I would argue has greater harm to us.
Building GREEN is the biggest false promise ever and yet those interested in protecting our environment suck it up. I love the idea of hybrid but again false promises. The only folks really making an effort for a safe and healthy environment are the construction workers cleaning their sites to their best ability. I would ask those who write these ordinances actually come to work for a day or two on construction site before they make recommendations. What we do and how we do it with real value and impact should be based solely on reality and not wishful thinking. Did she ever think to speak with laborers or GCs to get their input on the issue? Don’t get me wrong, but not the meaningless suggestions on what to do about it.
Margate and other cities would be more productive in the matter of environment protection if they took a hard look at Land Use codes and reduced the size of homes and lot coverage on any given lot. can be, Materials allowed should be reviewed and new construction or substantial remodels should require additional green space ones well. I can assure you even though enforceable, cities like Margate won’t even consider such a idea because they won’t want to jeopardize their revenues in fees and taxes for even the most righteous cause of protecting our environment.
Just an honest opinion from someone with frustration and a lifetime of experience.
Worry about all the microplastics that are released when you wash your clothes! Fleece releases millions of microplastics per wash and all the performance clothing too. We are way past a solution for the toxic plastic we use because it’s cheap and a product of oil.