The world produces more than 440 million tons of plastic each year, about a third of which is used in packaging and about 85% of which ends up being thrown away. Governments across the globe have been tackling the issue within their own borders, and the U.S. has taken some new steps to help.

Last week, the Biden-Harris administration announced a new goal to phase out federal government procurement of single-use plastics for food service operations, events, and packaging by 2027, and from all of its operations by 2035. This is part of President Joe Biden’s broader environmental goals, including an executive order to achieve net-zero procurement by 2050. The government will shift to reusable, compostable, and highly recyclable materials instead.

In a news release announcing the new policy, the White House said this is the federal government formally recognizing for the first time the severity of the plastic pollution crisis and how much of an effort is required in addressing it effectively.

The news release also highlighted The Mobilizing Federal Action on Plastic Pollution: Progress, Principles, and Priorities report, which includes existing and new policies for tackling the issue. These involve work with state and local governments, Tribes, territories, and the private sector.

Areas of focus include assessing and reducing pollution from plastic production, which also involves reducing pollution during the extraction of fossil fuels, compounds of which can be found in more than 90% of plastics. Other focuses include work on alternative materials and processing methods for better recyclability and reuse, decreasing plastic waste production by using less of it, more environmentally sound waste management, and improving the capture of plastic before it enters the waste management system and preventing it from escaping once it’s part of the waste management process.

The news release drew attention to how certain government agencies have been responding to plastic pollution. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been working to finalize rules to reduce emissions of toxic air pollutants stemming from plastic production, while prioritizing five chemicals used in plastic production for risk evaluations under the Toxic Substances Control Act. They’ve also put $275 million toward grants to improve recycling, composting, and reuse infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior is on an accelerated path to phase out single-use plastics from their lands. Their plan is to do so by 2032 and has involved offering water refill stations, working with those who sell concessions to cut back on single-use plastics, and cleaning plastic marine debris. On that same front, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has provided nearly $70 million in funding for large-scale marine debris capture and removal projects.

If you’d like to help ensure there’s less plastic in our waters, join us in our work to save our oceans!