Anonymous,

For decades, companies that make plastic have succeeded in perpetuating the myth that we're the ones responsible for the plastic waste crisis. It's on us, the consumers, to recycle their plastic waste at taxpayer expense.[1,2]

But new federal legislation promises to make the companies that create plastic waste responsible for it, too.[3]

Tell your U.S. representative to pass the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020 today.
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With moves that would impress a jiu-jitsu champion, plastics companies have pushed the narrative that responsibility for the plastic crisis doesn't lie with them -- even though they make and sell the single-use items inundating our landfills, communities and environment -- but with us for failing to properly recycle the waste that their products are designed to become.[4,5]

Meanwhile, they continue to produce and sell more and more throwaway plastic bottles, food containers and eating utensils, placing the burden of cleaning up those items on consumers and taxpayers.

A company that makes a product designed to be tossed after just one use should also bear the cost of dealing with that waste. That's why it's vital that we pass new legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (N.M.) and U.S. Rep. Alan Lowenthal (Calif.) that places the responsibility for processing plastic waste with the companies that make it.[6,7]

The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020 would compel large plastic producers to design, manage, and finance waste and recycling programs. It would also reduce and/or ban certain plastic items that are simply not recyclable, such as foam packaging.[8,9]

Enacting these measures would significantly reduce the amount of plastic entering our landfills, incinerators and environment.

Tell your representative to vote yes on the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020.
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Currently, more than 90 percent of plastic waste in the United States is never recycled.[10] But by compelling plastics companies to manage their waste, we would ensure that a far greater proportion of that waste is reused, instead of entering the waste stream.

And by halting and reducing the production of non-recyclable single-use items, we would stem a major source of plastic pollution at its source: with the manufacturer. That's why it's vital that our representatives take urgent action to pass the The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020.
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Thank you,

Faye Park
President

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In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, we've taken steps for all of our staff to work remotely for safety reasons. But rest assured, we'll keep advocating for you as we work for a healthier, safer world. Check out more of our resources for addressing the coronavirus.
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1. Tom Udall and Alan Lowenthal, "Op-Ed: More than 90% of U.S. plastic waste is never recycled. Here's how we can change that.," Los Angeles Times, February 21, 2020.
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2. Stephen Buranyi, "The plastic backlash: what's behind our sudden rage -- and will it make a difference?," The Guardian, November 13, 2018.
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3. "Udall, Lowenthal, Merkley, Clark Unveil Landmark Legislation to Break Free From Plastic Pollution," Tom Udall Senator for New Mexico, February 11, 2020.
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4. Stephen Buranyi, "The plastic backlash: what's behind our sudden rage -- and will it make a difference?," The Guardian, November 13, 2018.
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5. Tom Udall and Alan Lowenthal, "Op-Ed: More than 90% of U.S. plastic waste is never recycled. Here's how we can change that.," Los Angeles Times, February 21, 2020.
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6. "Udall, Lowenthal, Merkley, Clark Unveil Landmark Legislation to Break Free From Plastic Pollution," Tom Udall Senator for New Mexico, February 11, 2020.
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7. Michael Corkery, "Federal Bill Seeks to Make Companies Responsible for Plastic Waste," New York Times, February 10, 2020.
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8. "Udall, Lowenthal, Merkley, Clark Unveil Landmark Legislation to Break Free From Plastic Pollution," Tom Udall Senator for New Mexico, February 11, 2020.
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9. Tom Udall and Alan Lowenthal, "Op-Ed: More than 90% of U.S. plastic waste is never recycled. Here's how we can change that.," Los Angeles Times, February 21, 2020.
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10. "Plastics: Material-Specific Data," U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2017.
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