The most comprehensive plastic pollution reduction bill in the country stalled in California. Here’s what we do next.

California came close to passing the most ambitious legislation aimed at reducing plastic pollution in the country. But not close enough.

California came close to passing the most ambitious legislation aimed at reducing plastic pollution in the country. But not close enough.

On Sept. 14, the California legislative session ended without lawmakers bringing the state’s Plastic Pollution Reduction Act to a vote. The groundbreaking bill would have put the state on a precedent-setting path to reducing single-use packaging and foodware by 75 percent by 2030.

“We’re in the midst of a plastic pollution crisis, and we have to move beyond plastic as quickly as possible,” said PIRG’s Beyond Plastic Campaign Director Alex Truelove. “The fact that California came close to passing this bill is a sign that momentum is building to reduce our reliance on harmful single-use plastics—especially the ones we don’t even need.”

What’s next? California lawmakers could vote on the bill as soon as January, and we’re calling for similar legislation in our state. U.S. PIRG and our national network will make the case and rally members across the country to take action.

Read U.S. PIRG’s joint press release with Environment America.

Photo Caption: Volunteers with CALPIRG students gathered in August to advocate for California’s proposed plastics bill. Photo Credit: Ricky Mackie Photography

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