Government Action Plan Needed To Combat Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue that requires urgent action from governments and other stakeholders. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the severity of the plastic pollution crisis and the need for coordinated efforts to address it. Governments have a crucial role to play in tackling plastic pollution by implementing policies and regulations that reduce the use of single-use plastics, promote sustainable alternatives, and hold companies accountable for their plastic waste. This includes incentivising good behaviour and encouraging large-scale corporate action to address the problem. Governments can also work with local communities and the private sector to develop innovative solutions and reduce the environmental and human health risks associated with plastic production and waste.

Reduce single-use plastics in federal operations

The Biden-Harris administration has released a new strategy to tackle plastic pollution, taking action to reduce single-use plastics in federal operations. The strategy outlines existing and new federal actions to reduce the impact of plastic pollution throughout the plastic lifecycle. It calls for collaboration with state, local, Tribal, and Territorial governments, local communities, the private sector, and other stakeholders to address the scale and breadth of the plastic pollution challenge.

The administration has set a goal to phase out federal procurement of single-use plastics from food service operations, events, and packaging by 2027, and from all federal operations by 2035. This builds on President Biden’s Executive Order on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs through Federal Sustainability and the President’s Federal Sustainability Plan, which aims to achieve net-zero procurement by 2050.

To achieve these goals, federal agencies are taking steps to reduce pollution from the extraction of fossil fuels and the production of plastic. This includes addressing chemicals of concern and hazardous air pollutants, some of which are known carcinogens. Improved data collection is also necessary to understand the full extent of the environmental and human health risks associated with plastic production.

Additionally, agencies are exploring alternative materials and processing methods to ensure that products are compatible with waste management systems and have minimal impacts on human health and the environment. This aligns with the EPA’s ongoing efforts towards meeting the goals of the Biden Cancer Moonshot.

Reduce plastic pollution throughout the plastic lifecycle

The government can reduce plastic pollution throughout the plastic lifecycle by taking several actions. Firstly, they can work with state, local, Tribal, and Territorial governments, local communities, the private sector, and other stakeholders to address the scale and breadth of the plastic pollution challenge. This includes phasing out the procurement of single-use plastic products in federal operations, such as food service operations, events, and packaging. The government can also take steps to reduce pollution from the extraction of fossil fuels and the production of plastic, including chemicals of concern and hazardous air pollutants.

Additionally, agencies can explore alternative materials and processing methods to ensure that products are compatible with waste management systems and have minimal impacts on human health and the environment. The government can also support collaborative efforts with major companies to address plastic pollution and enact policies that incentivize good behaviour. For example, the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act directed the EPA to develop a national strategy on plastic pollution, which presents opportunities for voluntary and regulatory actions by businesses and governments to eliminate the release of plastic waste from land and sea-based sources into the environment.

Reduce the impact of plastic pollution on the environment and human health

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that requires urgent attention from governments worldwide. To reduce the impact of plastic pollution on the environment and human health, governments can take several crucial steps. Firstly, it is essential to acknowledge the severity of the plastic pollution crisis and understand the scale of the response needed to address it effectively. This recognition serves as a foundation for developing comprehensive strategies and policies.

One significant action governments can take is to reduce single-use plastics in federal operations and encourage the use of alternative materials and processing methods. For instance, the Biden-Harris Administration in the United States has set goals to phase out federal procurement of single-use plastics from food service operations, events, and packaging by 2027, and from all federal operations by 2035. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of achieving net-zero procurement by 2050.

Additionally, governments can play a pivotal role in incentivizing good behaviour and creating a level playing field for companies committed to tackling plastic pollution. By implementing policies that encourage sustainable practices and innovative solutions, governments can drive large-scale corporate action. This approach can leverage the power of major companies to create meaningful and measurable impacts within their supply chains and beyond.

Furthermore, governments should collaborate with various stakeholders, including state, local, Tribal, and Territorial governments, local communities, and the private sector. By working together, these entities can develop and implement interventions across the entire plastics lifecycle, aiming to reduce plastic pollution in the environment. This collaborative effort is crucial to addressing the complex challenge of plastic pollution effectively.

Lastly, it is essential to address the environmental and human health risks associated with plastic production. Governments can take steps to reduce pollution from the extraction of fossil fuels and the production of plastic, including the regulation of hazardous air pollutants and volatile organic compounds, some of which are known carcinogens. Improved data collection and research are also vital to understanding the full scope of the problem and developing evidence-based solutions.

Develop alternative materials and processing methods

Governments can play a crucial role in addressing plastic pollution by developing and promoting alternative materials and processing methods. This involves encouraging innovation in materials and product design to ensure that products are compatible with waste management systems and have minimal impacts on human health and the environment.

For instance, the Biden-Harris Administration in the US has taken steps to reduce pollution from the extraction of fossil fuels and the production of plastic. This includes addressing chemicals of concern and hazardous air pollutants, some of which are known carcinogens.

Additionally, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a "National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution," which provides opportunities for voluntary and regulatory actions by various government entities. These actions aim to eliminate the release of plastic waste from land and sea-based sources into the environment by 2040.

To further support these initiatives, governments can also incentivize companies to address plastic pollution. For example, major companies are calling for federal government action to enact policies that encourage good behaviour and create a level playing field for businesses committed to tackling this issue. WWF's ReSource: Plastic program helps translate large-scale corporate commitments into meaningful, measurable impact through transparency and collaboration.

By promoting alternative materials and processing methods, governments can reduce the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution and foster sustainable practices.

Incentivise good behaviour and level the playing field for companies

The government can incentivise good behaviour and level the playing field for companies by encouraging large-scale corporate action. This can be done by implementing policies that encourage companies to address plastic pollution. For example, the WWF's ReSource: Plastic program helps companies translate their large-scale commitments into meaningful, measurable impact through a framework that brings transparency and collaboration to the forefront of corporate action.

Additionally, the government can use its purchasing power to reduce emissions, protect public health, and spur markets for new sustainable products. This can be done by phasing out the procurement of single-use plastic products and encouraging the development of alternative materials and processing methods. For instance, the Biden-Harris Administration has set a goal to phase out federal procurement of single-use plastics from food service operations, events, and packaging by 2027, and from all federal operations by 2035.

The government can also work with federal agencies to reduce pollution from the extraction of fossil fuels and the production of plastic. This includes addressing chemicals of concern and hazardous air pollutants, some of which are known carcinogens. Improved data collection is also necessary to understand the full extent of the environmental and human health risks of plastic production.

Furthermore, the government can collaborate with other entities, such as state, local, and territorial governments, local communities, and the private sector, to address the scale and breadth of the plastic pollution challenge. Together, these entities can work towards eliminating the release of plastic waste from land and sea-based sources into the environment by 2040, as outlined in the National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution.

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