Sierra Club Applauds Udall, Lowenthal, Merkley, Clark For Bill Tackling Plastic Pollution

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Yesterday, Senator Udall and Representative Lowenthal, joined by Senator Merkley and Representative Clark, released the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020, a landmark bill aimed at addressing the growing problem of plastic pollution and protecting public health by phasing out single-use plastic, holding corporate polluters accountable for the plastic waste they produce, reducing plastic packaging, and updating the current plastic recycling system. The bill would also halt the production of new plastics plants, while the EPA reexamines the impacts of plastics to air and water.

Reducing plastic use is crucial to fighting the climate crisis and protecting communities, as fossil fuel companies look to expand their plastic production to counter the lower demand for oil and gas. One recent study found plastic pollution is so ubiquitous that the average person may be consuming enough plastic to equal eating one credit card every week. 

In response, Sierra Club Senior Toxics Policy Advisor Sonya Lunder released the following statement:

“The federal government has ignored plastic pollution for far too long while corporations pass the responsibility of dealing with the plastics crisis onto individuals and local municipalities. Enough is enough. The Sierra Club applauds Senators Udall and Merkley and Representatives Lowenthal and Clark for working to put an end to our country’s overwhelming plastic problem. We urge Congress to pass this bill without delay.”