Petition

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

148,390 signatures. Let’s get to 150K

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
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Natasha S

the excessive use of plastic needs to stop. we’re better than that and need to comes up with a better solution. additinally i think there

5 days ago
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Rita S

I am very concerned about continuing damage to our environment.

5 days ago
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Warren G

There are plenty of options available now and few are even considered. Unacceptable. As Stewards of the Planet, every one of us must do better, star…

1 week ago
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Jeen K

our oceans need help

2 weeks ago
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aure j

no plastic in the future please!!!

1 month ago
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Ojalda O

extreme weather events Corruptions of middle east

1 month ago
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Armani G

The ocean is becoming a wasteland. It's time to tell the World Leaders to do something about the plastic in the ocean.

2 months ago
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Cecilie H

Plastic is ruining our planet. We cannot let this happen!

2 months ago
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Sherilynne D

The overuse of plastics in every aspect of modern life, like all petroleum products, has now become an obvious major threat to the well-being of our p…

2 months ago
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Sarah M

this affects us all wherever we ate on the planet

2 months ago
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Oscar T

we need change

2 months ago
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Gaia C

i care about out our planet and everyone living on it.

2 months ago
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Lisa B

its more important than I can say 🙏🏻

2 months ago
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Daniel S

The rampant overuse of plastic is poisoning our water, our food, our landscapes and our bodies. History is repeating itself; The Romans drank out of l…

2 months ago
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Kathleen M

Plastic is killing life on the planet.

2 months ago
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PETRA K

We produce too much unnecessary plastic. We don't need it. It destroys lives of many animals. We have all the knowledge about how harmful it is, so we…

3 months ago
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Hannah A

If we don't stop plastic pollution it will deteriorate life on earth including humans.

3 months ago
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Brooklyn F

the earth is our home to damage the earth is to damage your children

3 months ago
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Vinny M

It would be ridiculous to not sign this petition.

3 months ago
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Bob T

I CARE!

3 months ago
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Stefanie T

it can’t go on like before

3 months ago
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Sofia L

Because I think this is a realy big problem and sometimes we dont even think about the damage we are making to the planet

3 months ago
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Madeleine E

we need to stop now. its already to late

3 months ago
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Jenny O

Plastic kills animals

3 months ago
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Rachel F

Plastic is everywhere and is killing, poisoning and threatening every life in the present and the future. The Oil Age is a truly toxic era in our plan…

3 months ago
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