The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unveiled the "National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution," aiming to mitigate the effects of plastic production and waste on communities. This initiative is part of a broader commitment by the U.S. to forge an international agreement aimed at reducing global plastic pollution, aligning with EPA's "Building a Circular Economy for All" efforts.
Michael S. Regan, EPA Administrator, emphasized the strategy's potential impact: “EPA’s new strategy to prevent plastic pollution will have a profound impact on public health and our environment, especially in overburdened communities hit hardest.” The strategy outlines measures such as reducing cancer-causing emissions from plastic manufacturing facilities and increasing industry accountability for recycling efforts.
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey expressed support for the initiative, highlighting local efforts: “As a city that has been leading the way on reducing plastic pollution, we are encouraged by the EPA’s efforts to eliminate plastic waste.”
Terry Gray from Rhode Island's Department of Environmental Management praised the roadmap provided by the strategy: “‘The National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution’ presents an excellent road map to prevent these types of pollution by creating circular economies.”
Key actions proposed include decreasing single-use plastics production and consumption, enhancing policies to reduce plastic pollution, and strengthening programs like EPA’s Trash Free Waters Program. Additionally, new wastewater standards and air quality criteria aim to curb pollutants associated with plastics.
This national strategy coincides with international discussions in Busan, South Korea, focused on establishing a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. The plan also responds to mandates from Congress under the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act of 2020.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development warns that without intervention, global plastic use could triple by 2060. This poses risks not only through environmental degradation but also through potential health impacts linked to micro- and nanoplastics found in human bodies.
