A new federal bill, introduced by Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.), would force the plastic industry and food and beverage companies to take responsibility for plastic pollution.
The Break Free From Plastic Act of 2020 is the first bill to shift the responsibility of plastic pollution from consumers to the companies that produce plastic. This would hold major plastic polluters, such as Nestlé, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, accountable for polluting the planet with single-use plastic.
TAKE ACTION! Tell Congress to Hold Plastic Polluters Accountable by Supporting the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020!
Junk food companies not only produce cheap food loaded with pesticides, preservatives and other chemicals harmful to our health, but they also package their products in plastic—which comes with its own set of health and environmental issues.
The Break Free From Plastic Act would require major plastic producers to finance waste and recycling programs. It would also place an all-out ban on certain single-use plastic that is non-recyclable, and it would prohibit plastic waste from being shipped overseas to developing countries.
The Break Free From Plastic Act would create a nationwide beverage container refund program to incentivize consumers to return their empty soda and water bottles by providing a 10-cent refund for each bottle.
The bill would also spur massive investments in domestic recycling and composting infrastructure, as well as place a temporary pause on new plastic facilities until the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency updates and creates important regulations on those facilities.
The Break Free From Plastic Act is long overdue. There is almost nowhere on the planet where plastic waste has not been found.
Plastic waste—most of it from single-use processed food and drink packaging—contaminates our drinking water, soil, air and waterways, including the deepest parts of the ocean.
Plastic pollution is so rampant in our oceans that scientists predict the sea will contain more plastic than fish by the year 2050.
Tiny bits of plastic or microplastic are contaminating humans, too. The average person eats at least 50,000 particles of microplastic each year—and we inhale a similar amount—studies show.
Microplastics in soils can leach toxic chemicals that put ecosystems at risk. For example, studies show microplastics in soil disrupt the natural behavior of earthworms, which in turn affects soil health.
If we hope to have any chance at preventing the devastating impacts of plastic pollution, we must hold major plastic producers accountable, and force them to clean up their mess.
Please take action today and tell Congress to hold plastic polluters accountable and support the Break Free From Plastic Act of 2020!