*this announcement was previously run but with incomplete information*
According to our Congregation's policies, any time a new policy is proposed to be added to our Board Policy book, there is a "first reading" during a Board meeting where the Board votes to approve, then the policy is shared with the congregation along with an email address to submit comments to the Board about the proposed policy, and then the Board will have a "second reading" where they can make amendments and vote on the policy. Only after going through this process does a new policy become part of the Congregation's policies.
The following policy has been voted to send to the congregation for comment:
"HVUUC disposes of all plastic kitchen utensils and use the Green Sanctuary Fund to purchase non-plastic kitchen utensils to replace them."
Research connected to this policy can be found here:
The study: From e-waste to living space: Flame retardants contaminating household items add to concern about plastic recycling - ScienceDirect
The news story reporting the study: Black-colored plastic used for kitchen utensils and toys linked to banned toxic flame retardants | CNN
The news story with Dr. Leonardo Trasande: Black plastic items could contain harmful chemicals, study finds (youtube.com)
If you have any comments for or against this policy, please email your comments to office@hvuuc.org by Monday December 16th so that your comments can be reviewed prior to the Board's final vote on this policy.