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.
