Should we reduce the production and use of single-use plastic products and packaging?

Awaiting Vote
Bill Summary

This bill seeks to amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to reduce the production and use of certain single-use plastic products and packaging. It requires plastic product producers to design, manage, and finance waste and recycling programs. It also establishes a beverage container refund program and required-minimum-recycled-content for beverage containers and food-service products. Waste export loopholes would be eliminated. The National Academy of Science will study the health, environmental, and economic impacts of plastic waste incinerators and other similar technology. This bill aims to "prevent pollution from consumer products and packaging from entering into animal and human food chains and waterways". Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Merkley (Democrat, Oregon, District 4)
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Opponents say

     "During one of the gravest crises our nation has faced in years, this bill would threaten lives by interrupting the manufacture of critical, life-saving materials; suffocate economic growth; and threaten our environment and any hope of making progress in the fight against climate change… We stand ready to work with Congress on bipartisan solutions to end waste, but they must be pragmatic. Our efforts are focused on redesigning packaging, modernizing recycling, using advanced technologies to capture and reuse plastic, and closing the loop to keep plastics where they belong--out of the environment and used as resources to make new materials." Source: Chris Jahn (President and CEO of American Chemistry Council) 

     "Our company is nearing completion of a $260 million plastics renewal facility in Ashley, Indiana, with plans to create larger facilities here in the U.S. … By limiting advanced recycling technologies, this legislation will hinder our progress and eliminate what may be the most effective tool at our collective disposal to recover plastic waste and produce new resources." Source: Bob Powell (CEO of Brightmark)


     "The Report, "Economic Implications of a Permit 'Pause'," measured the anticipated impacts of the BFFPP Act's provision requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to "pause" permitting of production at numerous plastic manufacturing facilities for three to five years, which would result in factory shutdowns… The Report found that the "pause" would put at risk as many as 910,000 jobs by 2026 and curtail as much as $413 billion in economic output." Source: American Chemistry Council

Proponents say

     "Many of us were taught the three R's--reduce, reuse, and recycle--and figured that as long as we got our plastic items into those blue bins, we could keep our plastic use in check and protect our planet… But the reality has become much more like the three B's--plastic is buried, burned, or borne out to sea. The impacts on Americans' health, particularly in communities of color and low-income communities, are serious. Plastic pollution is a full blown environmental and health crisis, and it's time that we pass this legislation to get it under control." Source: Sen. Jeff Merkley (Democrat, Oregon, District 4)


     "For decades we have treated our land, waterways, and oceans as dumping grounds for our plastic waste. Today, we are reaping what we have sown and now face a global plastic pollution crisis… We are on a precipice and we are running out of time to deal with this crisis of our own creation before it reaches a point of no return. As a major exporter of plastics waste, our nation has a responsibility and a duty to act now and act decisively. Our legislation applies one of the core principles of environmental law: 'the polluter pays'. It is time for multi-billion-dollar companies to step up and cover the costs of cleaning up the waste from their products. This legislation is a bold first step on the path to implementing lasting solutions." Source: Rep. Alan Lowenthal (Democrat, California, District 47)


     "The Break Free From Plastics Act will help us turn the tide on waste production and ultimately, on the climate crisis itself. This bill will rein in waste, improve recycling, decrease harmful emissions, and ensure plastics don't continue to wind up in our water, soil, air, and even our bodies… Like so many challenges we face, low-income Americans and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by plastic pollution. With this bill, we stand up for frontline and fenceline communities and we protect the future of our planet." Source: Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark (Democrat, Massachusetts, District 5)