Every day it seems there is more bad news about the impacts of single-use plastic, including the production of plastic.  Sadly, the United States is one of the largest producers of plastic in the world, after China.  The production of plastic has devastating impacts on local communities, particularly disadvantaged communities [See our Environmental Justice page], and on our climate [see our Climate page], and on our health [see our Health page].

Along with the bad news, however, there is quite a bit of good news.  175 nations have agreed to develop a binding agreement on plastic pollution by 2024.  As of 2022, 99 countries have introduced some sort of ban or charge on use of plastic.  In 2022, the European Union banned the distribution and making of single-use plastic plates, cutlery, straws, balloon sticks, and cotton buds.  Many states have enacted some type of ban or limitation on plastic straws or are banning or phasing out single-use plastics in food service.  Many organizations in the world are taking action and bringing attention to the issues.    For example:  Beyond Plastics (advocating to end the plastic pollution crisis); Plastic Pollution Coalition (advocating to end plastic pollution); Surfrider Foundation (fighting for a plastic-free ocean); and many more.

What can you do?

• Learn more and take action:  Read about the global plastic agreement:  See https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/historic-day-campaign-beat-plastic-pollution-nations-commit-develop   

• Advocate:  Urge the United States to take a strong stand in the global plastic agreement to stop the increase in the production of plastic and be a leader in addressing the impacts of plastic.  Currently, the U.S. position in the negotiations  is to increase recycling, not to reduce production.  Unfortunately, as we’ve pointed out on our Recycling page, recycling plastic does not work and never will, primarily because  of the chemistry of plastic and the overwhelming quantity..

• For more information about U.S.’s role and to make comments to President Biden, see https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/the-us-position-on-the-global-plastics-treaty-isnt-nearly-strong-enough-heres-where-they-currently-stand-vs-where-we-need-them-to-be/   

• Write or call your representatives in Congress or in your state to urge action on reducing plastic production and pollution.

• Take one action this week to reduce your use of single-use plastic:   

• Bring your own coffee cup to your work meeting or coffee shop; 

• Bring reusable produce bags to the grocery store, 

• Skip the plastic film at the drycleaner. (See blog about dry cleaning) 

• Change your food storage system at home – no need for those zip lock plastic bags. Etc.

• Tell a friend.