Plastic waste is a global crisis, with the World Bank estimating that each person generates an average of 1.6 pounds of plastic waste daily. To address this issue, 175 nations are negotiating a binding international treaty on plastic pollution, with a target completion date of late 2024. In July 2024, the Biden administration released the first U.S. plan addressing this problem, covering five areas: plastic production, product design, waste generation, waste management, and plastic capture and removal. As the world’s largest economy, the U.S. plays a crucial role in combating plastic pollution.
One important proposal in the U.S. plan is the development of a federal standard for measuring microplastics. These tiny plastic fragments are found in various environments, but there is currently no standardized method for measuring them, leading to inconsistent data and reporting techniques. The plan also focuses on extended producer responsibility, holding plastic producers accountable for collecting and disposing of their products. Several states have already adopted similar laws, resulting in increased recycling rates. The Biden administration aims to launch a national extended producer responsibility initiative to manage plastic waste more effectively.
Banning single-use plastics is another key strategy outlined in the U.S. plan. These measures aim to reduce waste generation by targeting items like shopping bags, food wrappers, and plastic bottles. The plan also calls for capping plastic production, as current projections indicate a doubling of global plastic production by 2040. Several countries have proposed cutting plastic production levels by 40% below 2025 levels by 2040. While the U.S. had not initially endorsed a cap on plastic production, recent reports suggest a change in position to support limits, including creating a global list of target chemicals to restrict.
The U.S. government’s plan includes developing strategies to replace, reduce, and phase out the unnecessary use of plastic products by federal agencies, aiming to eliminate single-use plastic items by 2035. This action, although focusing on government use, can send a powerful message in favor of alternative products as the largest single purchaser of goods and services globally. The global plastics treaty negotiations are ongoing, with the final round scheduled for November 2024 in South Korea. The plastics industry opposes limiting production, but U.S. support for restrictions could enhance the chances of capping plastic production worldwide.
Overall, the U.S. plan to address plastic pollution includes significant proposals such as measuring microplastics, implementing extended producer responsibility, banning single-use plastics, and potentially capping plastic production. These actions aim to reduce plastic waste generation, improve recycling rates, and protect the environment from the harmful effects of plastic pollution. As negotiations continue for the global plastics treaty, the U.S. plays a crucial role in leading efforts to combat the escalating crisis of plastic waste accumulation around the world.
