Environment America, PIRG and Environmental Action submit over 36k public comments calling on the federal government to reduce plastic pollution

As the biggest purchaser of goods and services in the world, the United States government could make a big dent in our plastic waste crisis. Unfortunately, the federal government’s new proposed rule on single-use plastics doesn’t require anybody to use less plastic. That’s a potential wasted opportunity.

Today, Environment America joined Environmental Action and PIRG in delivering 36,370 public comments calling on the federal government to require real reductions in single-use plastic products and stop adding tons of plastic waste to our landfills and environment. 

How big of a dent in plastic waste could the federal government make? A really big one.

The U.S. government spends $650 billion per year on consumer goods and services. The goods it purchases include a mountain of plastic products — the single-use plastic bags, utensils, straws, bottles, packaging and other plastic products purchased for use in government buildings and at official events. 

Tons of this plastic ends up in the trash — adding to the jaw-dropping 35 million tons every year, give or take a few tons.

All of this plastic is harming our communities and the planet. The federal government has a chance to help make a big reduction in plastic waste and pollution by making it mandatory to reduce plastic. We hope they don’t let this opportunity go to waste.