Hello John,

Plastic is everywhere, and today is Rise Above Plastic Pollution Day. In a couple hours, one of our priority bills in the Zero Waste Bill Package is getting its final vote in the senate! This bill would modernize our health code to allow for reusables (SB 545). On Rise Above Plastic Pollution Day, will you write to your state senator and help protect our state from further plastic pollution?

We must reduce the production of single-use plastic and shift to reusable alternatives for the betterment of our environment, communities, public health, and local economies. Oregon’s laws currently do not allow for customers to bring reusable containers for refilling, shopping in bulk, buying produce, or bringing home take-out food. These rules are unnecessarily prohibitive and inconsistently enforced, creating cultural and business confusion about what is allowed. 

While many obstacles remain in reducing packaging and increasing sustainability, Oregon’s health code should not be a barrier. Passing the Enabling Reuse Bill would allow customers to bring their own reusable containers and enable businesses to create their own reuse systems by updating the current health codes and rules. Ask your state senator to vote yes on the Enabling Reuse Bill (SB 545).

Without immediate changes to the way we use plastics, the total amount of plastic waste generated is expected to double in the next five years. Allowing reusable containers is something we need to do now. Please write to your senator today asking them to support the Enabling Reuse Bill (SB 545).

Thank you for taking action,

Julia DeGraw, OLCV Coalition Director