The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently unveiled an ambitious initiative known as the National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution. This strategy is strategically designed to significantly diminish the environmental and public health repercussions associated with plastic waste by the target year of 2040.
This pivotal initiative constitutes the third fundamental component of the EPA’s broader Building a Circular Economy for All program. It aligns with other ongoing efforts related to recycling practices and the reduction of food loss and waste.
Central to this strategy is the emphasis on curtailing the production and consumption of single-use plastics. Furthermore, it aims to bolster the nation’s capacity for reusing and refilling products while systematically measuring their ecological and health impacts.
In addition, the proposal advocates for the enhancement of public policies and financial incentives aimed at mitigating plastic pollution. A noteworthy aspect of this call to action is the establishment of a national extended producer responsibility framework.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan remarked: “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.” He continued, highlighting the diverse measures included in the strategy: “From reducing cancer-causing pollution from plastic manufacturing facilities to increasing industry accountability to facilitate the recycling of plastic packaging, this strategy lays out a transformative path forward for EPA and our partners to tackle this persistent challenge.”
The EPA is actively enhancing its initiatives to preserve waterways through the Trash Free Waters Programme, which focuses on both preventing and removing trash from aquatic environments.
Notably, this year the agency finalized a regulation that requires specific facilities to devise response plans for hazardous substance discharges, adhering to the mandates of the Clean Water Act.
Moreover, the EPA has implemented regulations aimed at reducing emissions of toxic air pollutants from plastic production facilities, significantly contributing to its environmental protection goals.
To augment these initiatives, the EPA’s Environmental Justice Grants and Technical Assistance Programme provides funding for projects specifically targeting the reduction of plastic pollution.
Additionally, the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates funding for the EPA to enhance recycling infrastructure, educational campaigns, community outreach, and waste reduction strategies.
As part of its efforts to promote transparency, the EPA has launched a new platform detailing initial actions designed to implement circular economy strategies effectively.
This announcement of the national strategy coincides with the final meeting of the International Negotiating Committee (INC-5) on Plastic Pollution in Busan, South Korea. It is anticipated that this strategy will inform the global community about the comprehensive measures the United States is undertaking to combat plastic pollution.
The EPA’s newly minted strategy is a direct response to the bipartisan Save Our Seas 2.0 Act of 2020, which tasked the agency with the critical responsibility of devising a robust plan to minimize plastic waste.
Additionally, this strategy aims to address the pressing issue of climate change by actively reducing greenhouse gas emissions linked to plastic products while alleviating the public health challenges faced by communities burdened by pollution.
According to reports from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, global plastic use and waste are projected to nearly triple by 2060 unless proactive measures are taken.
