Letter to the Editor, Sun-Sentinal, June 26, 2024

By Sondra Levin, Loxahatchee Group Sierra Club

Much more political and citizen action is needed to solve plastic pollution, a longtime crisis.

The planet has been inundated with plastic. It covers much of the food bought in grocery stores and many products delivered to homes.

The Guardian newspaper reported that of all plastic waste generated by American households in 2021, only about five to six percent was recycled, according to research by Greenpeace. Of all plastic created, only nine percent has been collected. While efforts have been underway to move from fossil fuels to renewable energy, some members of Big Oil have promoted use of plastics and have increased its production.

A comprehensive way to address this crisis is a bill called the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, reintroduced this year and gaining momentum with more co-sponsors. Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Rep. Jared Huffman of California sponsored it. Its provisions include reducing single-use plastics, providing accountability to corporations responsible for plastic pollution and creating a nationwide refund program for beverage containers.

The bill needs more support so that the country can end plastic pollution.