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State College students urge borough to ban single‑use plastic bags and straws; council praises presentations
Summary
Fourth and fifth graders from State College Friends School presented a letter and speech asking council to adopt an ordinance banning single‑use plastic bags and straws. Council members and attendees praised the students and discussed local microplastic concerns; no formal ordinance vote was held.
Fourth‑ and fifth‑grade students from State College Friends School delivered a speech and a collective letter asking State College Borough Council to pursue an ordinance banning single‑use plastic bags and straws.
Fifth grader Elijah Vinca told council that climate change is driving more extreme weather and harms ecosystems and human health. "It's imperative that we all act now to save our planet Earth," he said. Fourth‑grade student Lyra Trethewey read a letter stressing local connections: students noted Spring Creek drains to the Susquehanna River and on to the Chesapeake Bay, and they cited Article I, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution on environmental rights in arguing for local action.
Council and the mayor praised the students for taking part in local civic life. Council President Myers thanked the students and pledged to continue work on the idea; Councilmember Herndon called the presentations “great” and urged more youth engagement. Councilmember Portney and others noted transportation and broader climate steps that complement reducing single‑use plastics; resident Laura Fowler described island‑nation examples and recycling data to support the students’ position.
No ordinance was introduced or voted on at the meeting. Council members said they would continue conversations with staff and community groups about potential next steps.
The presentation and the council's response generated applause and a group photo with students and council leadership.
