VENTNOR – The Board of Commissioners Thursday, Sept. 26 adopted a new ordinance that will help eliminate microplastics contamination from the fragile marine environment.
Ordinance 2024-022 requires building contractors to control microplastic contamination and dust from building materials designed to withstand harsh weather conditions by taking basic safety precautions to protect the environment and enhance occupational safety.
Ventnor is the second Downbeach community to adopt the ordinance since it was presented to local governing bodies by members of Sustainable Downbeach green teams. Margate was the first community to adopt contractor containment regulations in a resolution approved in March. Longport adopted its ordinance on July 17.
Their collective efforts to prevent plastic particles generated through the cutting and drilling of plastic building products, such as TREX and AZEK, from leaching into the ground and polluting stormwater, was the lead story in the Sustainable Jersey “Sustainability in Action” newsletter that’s distributed to 466 municipalities participating in the statewide environmental program.
Since then, Monmouth Beach adopted an ordinance, and other offshore communities are considering putting controls in place.
Bill Stumpfig of Tuckahoe, co-chair of the Surfrider Foundation South Jersey Chapter who manages the organization’s Rise Above Plastics program, offered support for the ordinance during the public hearing. Stumpfig also works to collect and properly dispose of monofilament used in fishing.
“It’s really great that you recognized how dangerous plastic is and how prevalent it is,” he said.
The organization is developing a map of communities that have adopted the ordinance.
"Hopefully, it will encourage other towns to adopt the same type of ordinances,” he said.
Plastic particles do not decompose and can enter the food chain causing endocrine, digestive and respiratory issues in animals, marine life and humans. When plastic particles enter the ecosystem through storm drains, they eventually wind up in the bay and ocean, are consumed by fish, and then the fish are eaten by humans. Dogs, cats and rabbits may also sniff or eat microplastics left on the ground.
According to the folks at Surfrider, dust created from microplastic building supplies have been found in drinking water even after it is treated. The Atlantic County Utilities Authority recently unveiled a new pilot program being implemented as the final step in its treatment of effluent that will remove microplastics before the water is discharged into the ocean. But preventing microplastics from ever getting into sewerage or stormwater must be controlled at the local level, proponents of the regulations say.
Using a tarp can prevent some microplastics pollution.Advocate Sherri Lilienfeld of Margate said the ordinance would not only prevent pollution but also protect workers who inhale microscopic plastic when cutting Trex or AZEK.
Containment regulations will not be a financial burden for contractors, she said.
“It’s for their protection and everybody else’s and will save time and money,” she said.
Tents, tarps and vacuum attachments are readily available at supply stores and online at minimal cost, she said, and local green team members stand ready to help with education and enforcement.
Green team members have created easy to understand flyers in English and Spanish to distribute to contractors when they obtain their building permits. To date, green team members report that the educational campaign is working, and builders, who were previously unaware of the dangers of microplastics pollution, are complying with the new regulations.
“Like the plastic bag ordinance that was hard to get traction, word of mouth will spread with the contractors. They all know what the challenges are and that they will have to comply,” Mayor Tim Krieble said. “It may take a little while but as a homeowner, I would appreciate if they keep plastics away from my pets and kids.”
Brian Thompson, a Monmouth Beach Environmental Commissioner and Beyond Plastics National Advisory Board member who works to reduce plastic pollution, congratulated the board for adopting the ordinance.
“We were inspired by the folks in Margate…and we hope this will spread not just statewide but nationwide,” he said. “We just want to keep our vital organs and reproductive organs as low in plastic as we possibly can, and this commonsense ordinance is a great step in that direction.”
Thompson said that his mayor checked with large builders operating in his municipality and they had “no problem with it and were happy to oblige,” he said.
Ventnor’s ordinance requires contractors to contain microplastics when cutting AZEK, Trex or treated lumber by using vacuum attachments, furnish containers to collect and properly dispose of the particles, cut materials in confined spaces, such as a tent or hood, use wet saws when appropriate, and use a tarp under power tools. They are required to clean up the area at the end of each workday and leave no waste behind that can blow in the wind or spread beyond the worksite. They are strictly prohibited from blowing debris into storm drains or onto neighboring properties and must properly dispose of the waste. They must also inform subcontractors of the requirements.
The penalty for offenses is up to $1,000 and/or 30-days imprisonment at the discretion of the judge.
Copyright Access Network 2024
