Nation’s strongest plastic waste bill returns to Congress

In response to the worsening plastic waste crisis, federal lawmakers and advocates are championing legislation to cut our nation's plastic footprint down a size. 

Henry Hintermeister

In response to the worsening plastic waste crisis, federal lawmakers and advocates are championing legislation to cut our nation’s plastic footprint down a size.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Alan Lowenthal re-introduced the nation’s most comprehensive plastic waste legislation on March 25, alongside members of the Break Free From Plastic Pollution coalition, of which U.S. PIRG is a member.

If enacted, The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act would install a national bottle bill and ban some of the worst single-use plastics. The act would also shift more financial responsibility for collecting and processing plastic waste onto plastics producers, saving local and municipal governments billions of dollars annually.

“We’re inundated by plastic waste, and yet we continue to make more each year, harming our planet and ourselves,” said Alex Truelove, zero waste program director with U.S. PIRG.

U.S. PIRG advocates and supporters called on Congress to pass this vital legislation.

Read more.
Hear from U.S. Sen Merkley and U.S. Rep. Lowenthal.

Photo: U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley speaks at a rally in support of the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act on March 25. Credit: Break Free From Plastic Pollution

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Henry Hintermeister

staff | TPIN

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