Petition

Tell U.S. Leaders to Support the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act

158,230 signatures. Let’s get to 200K

More than 380 million tons of plastic are produced each year.

Less than ten percent of it is recycled. The rest is either burned or ends up in landfills and the ocean, polluting the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the places we call home. Often, this pollution most negatively affects communities of color and low-income neighborhoods that are already disproportionately impacted by climate change and toxic disasters. 

Without action, plastic pollution will only get worse. Industry is investing hundreds of millions of dollars into expanding capacity and is projected to triple plastic production by 2050. From extraction to production to pollution, these activities will wreak havoc on the health of people and the planet.

Every minute, a garbage truck’s worth of plastic enters the ocean — a rate that could triple by 2040.

To meet this crisis, the U.S. Congress officially reintroduced The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act in October 2023. The legislation has the power to comprehensively tackle plastics production, inspire copycat legislation at the state level, introduce millions of Americans to progressive, science-backed solutions, and move the U.S. toward a strong position in the ongoing Global Plastics Treaty negotiations. It’s exactly the type of policy we need to center in this fight. Here are just a few of the incredible ways this bill could help the U.S. break free from plastic: 

  • Create a nationwide refund program for beverage containers 

  • Ban many non-recyclable single-use plastic products and bags

  • Eliminate toxic substances in beverage containers and post-consumer recycled material

  • Establish a nationwide Extended Producer Responsibility program 

  • Spur investment in recycling and composting infrastructure 

  • Stop waste from being shipped to developing countries

  • Temporarily pause new permits for petrochemical facilities

  • Establishes strict limitations for wastewater, spills, and runoff from plastic polymer production facilities

Watch the video, Breathe This Air, to dive deeper into why the need for a comprehensive and systemic policy to address the plastics crisis has never been greater.

Add your name below to urge U.S. leaders to support the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act. Then, help build momentum by sharing the campaign on Facebook and Twitter.

This petition in support of the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act was updated on Oct. 25, 2023 to reflect the 2023 reintroduction of the bill, and 132,594 signatures have been carried over from the initial petition. 

Supporters
Sophia S

i love the earth and all the animals that are affected by it

18 hours ago
Alice C

we cant survive on trash

2 days ago
Marilyn A

plastic is a carcinogen!

2 days ago
Bryana N

We are destroying our world.

4 days ago
Ashlee O

We need to do more to make our world sustainable. The people that come after us desserve it.

5 days ago
Lynn M

Mother earth supports all life, we must protect her from harm to sustain life for all beings.

6 days ago
Gwen T

damage to wildlife, sealife, and it contains pollutants detrimental to humans and environment...

6 days ago
Emily M

I am signing because we are in a global plastic crisis. I want to leave a future worth having to this earth and its future generations. From the very…

1 week ago
Lauren R

I love the ocean and all the creatures in it

1 week ago
Tabytha T

this is so important to every living creature on this Lland and sea, this whole planet... we are suffocating in plastic and destroying everyone just h…

1 week ago
Linda P

i want to help save animals and our environment!

2 weeks ago
Janell S

we can do better! we have other alternatives to plastics.

2 weeks ago
Siobhan L

i feel like i have no control iver the pollution issues because evene if i try my best as an indivitual, the corporations and big businesses will stil…

1 month ago
Janill A

there is no planet B

1 month ago
Susanna R

Plastic is not fantastic anymore and we become smarter and more educated. We can do better than this.

1 month ago
Taisiya T

.

1 month ago
Nuria M

my future matters

1 month ago
Pia K

8

1 month ago
Patricia V

we oppose #plasticpollutionforprofit

2 months ago
zachery g

plastic is poison!!

2 months ago
Lindsey G

Without action, plastic pollution will only get worse. We need a plan to reduce and repair the damage that has already occurred

2 months ago
Kate W

plastic is poison

2 months ago
Dana U

there are way to many plastics in the world, its even in our blood streams. its pathetic and irresponsible that we've allowed this to happen, its agai…

3 months ago
Donna H

im tired of seeing dead lastic everywhere that can garm wildlife and us

3 months ago
Kathleen R

we are buried in plastic

3 months ago
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