Greenpeace Responds to Introduction of Groundbreaking Break Free From Plastic Legislation

Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) and Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) introduced groundbreaking legislation today to tackle the plastic pollution crisis. The bill reduces unnecessary plastic, shifts the cost burden for waste management to corporations that produce plastic, and places a temporary moratorium on new plastic facilities. The legislators secured stakeholder input from 200 individuals, environmental groups, businesses, trade associations, aquariums, academics, grassroots organizations, and state and local governments before introducing the bill.

In response to the bill introduction, Greenpeace Plastics Campaigner Kate Melges said:

"This legislation is a game-changer because it comprehensively tackles the issue of single-use plastics. For too long, corporations have diverted blame for the plastic pollution crisis they have created. They have told us that if we just recycle more or participate in beach cleanups that we can turn this around. That has not worked. It is time to end our reliance on single-use plastics and prevent petrochemical companies from locking us into decades of additional plastic production.

"We applaud Senator Udall and Representative Lowenthal for putting forward sweeping legislation to tackle the pollution crisis, and encourage members of Congress and forward-thinking companies to support it. We must end the era of throwaway plastics and move toward systems of reuse and package-free options immediately."