By: Sara Capozzi
NEWINGTON - Members of a local environmental group rallied in front of the Target Store on the Berlin Turnpike Wednesday to protest what they say is the Target corporation's refusal to phase out products and packaging made of a toxic plastic.
About 10 members of the Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice picketed outside the Newington location at the same time demonstrations were scheduled to take place at 30 other Target stores across the country.
The demonstrations were carried out by over 60 environmental organizations through the leadership of the nationwide Center for Health, Environment and Justice.
Some CCFEJ members held signs and one member dressed in a hazmat suit. The members also attempted to hand out flyers to customers walking in to the store before management ordered them to leave.
According to Dr. Mark Mitchell, president of the CCFEJ, Target has refused to start phasing out polyvinyl chloride plastic, or PVC, a type of plastic that creates cancer-causing materials when burned.
"Eighty-two percent of PVC disposed in Connecticut is burned and this burning creates dioxin, which is one of the most toxic substances known to science," Mitchell said.
According to Mitchell, Connecticut has the highest level of PVCs being released into the air than any other state.
Scientific research has shown a link between dioxin and the development of cancer, asthma and diabetes, Mitchell said.
Individuals in urban areas are more likely to be exposed to higher levels of these toxins when they are burned in trash incinerators often located in heavily populated areas.
Walmart, Nike, Microsoft, Ikea, H&M, and Johnson and Johnson have agreed to begin phasing out products or packaging containing PVC.
Target denied the claims that it refused to begin phasing out products containing PVC.
"We are very disturbed that the Center for Health, Environment and Justice is grossly misrepresenting Target's use of polyvinyl chloride [PVC] plastic," spokesperson Anna Goeppinger said in an emailed statement.
"As we told CHEJ in a recent telephone conversation, Target is committed to exploring alternatives to PVC. We need to understand the availability of alternatives and suitability for mass production applications across a large number of product lines in order to make an informed decision about PVC."
Goeppinger mentioned the corporation's efforts to help eliminate waste from its stores, including recycling and offering a Target giftcard made of bioplastic.
"For these reasons, we will not stand by while the CHEJ attempts to attack Target's solid track record of environmental stewardship solely in an effort to promote its own agenda," she said.
