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91% of plastic is never recycled.
More than 350 million metric tons of plastic are produced each year.
The United States generates more plastic waste than any country in the world.
The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021 (BFFPPA) builds on successful statewide laws across the U.S. and outlines practical plastic reduction strategies to realize a healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable future. The federal bill, which is sponsored by Sen. Jeff Merkley (OR) and Rep. Alan Lowenthal (CA), represents the most comprehensive set of policy solutions to the plastic pollution crisis ever introduced in Congress.
91% of plastic is never recycled.
There are over 350 million metric tons of plastic produced each year.
The United States generates more plastic waste than any country in the world.
The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021 (BFFPPA) builds on successful statewide laws across the U.S. and outlines practical plastic reduction strategies to realize a healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable future. The federal bill, which is sponsored by Sen. Jeff Merkley (OR) and Rep. Alan Lowenthal (CA), represents the most comprehensive set of policy solutions to the plastic pollution crisis ever introduced in Congress.
Support the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act!
Plastic causes damage at every step of its lifecycle.
Plastic production disproportionately affects communities of color, low-income communities and Indigenous communities by polluting the air, water, and soil. Toxic chemicals in plastic packaging and products cause irreparable damage to the environment, wildlife, and our own health. Plastic disposal via incineration and landfill harms frontline and fenceline communities. Meanwhile the U.S. continues to export 225 shipping containers of plastic waste per day to countries with limited or nonexistent waste management systems.
Plastic is an environmental justice issue, and the government has a responsibility to protect people and the planet.
Will you tell Congress to pass the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act?
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Organization’s Support
Organizations and activists across the country welcomed the introduction of the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act in Congress by projecting anti-plastic messages in English and Spanish on landmarks in seven major U.S. cities.
The distributed light projections supporting the legislation happened in San Francisco, Portland, New Orleans, Houston, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C. over recent days.
Images from each are available here.
Organizations and activists across the country welcomed the introduction of the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act in Congress by projecting anti-plastic messages in English and Spanish on landmarks in seven major U.S. cities. The distributed light projections supporting the legislation happened in San Francisco, Portland, New Orleans, Houston, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C. over recent days. Images from each are available here.
Download the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act Factsheet
Plastic production disproportionately affects communities of color, low-income communities and Indigenous communities by polluting the air, water, and soil. Toxic chemicals in plastic packaging and products cause irreparable damage to the environment, wildlife, and our own health. Plastic disposal via incineration and landfill harms frontline and fenceline communities. Meanwhile the U.S. continues to export 225 shipping containers of plastic waste per day to countries with limited or nonexistent waste management systems.
Plastic is an environmental justice issue, and the government has a responsibility to protect people and the planet.
The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act represents a vital opportunity for Congress to take real action and address the plastic pollution crisis.
What else can the U.S. federal government do, in addition to passing the BFFPPA?
Learn how this groundbreaking legislation is part of a broader set of public policy and government solutions that can help us #breakfreefromplastic!
The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021
Who: Congress, introduced by Sen. Merkley and Rep. Lowenthal
What: Reduces throwaway plastics, enacts producer responsibility, combats false solutions such as incineration, and pauses new or expanded plastic production.
The Presidential Plastics Action Plan
Who: Executive Branch, including President Biden and Agencies
What: 8 point plan of priority actions that President Biden can take immediately to address the plastic pollution crisis.
Congressional Stimulus and Funding Bill Recommendations
Who: Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration
What: 13 recommendations for the U.S. federal government to include in a stimulus package, infrastructure bill, and/or climate change legislation, in order to address the devastating impacts caused by plastic. The report also highlights 5 fales solutions that should not be included in any federal spending bills or executive actions.
Convening Organizations: Algalita, American Sustainable Business Council, Beyond Plastics, Buckeye Environmental Network, Breathe Free Detroit, Cafeteria Culture, Center for International Environmental Law, Center for Biological Diversity, Clean Air Council, Environment America, Fenceline Watch, GreenLatinos, Greenpeace, Lost Art of Love Letters, Oceana, Peak Plastic Foundation, Plastic Pollution Coalition, Ohio Poor’s People Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, Surfrider Foundation, Texas Campaign for the Environment, The Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research, and Education, UPSTREAM, U.S. PIRG, Zero Waste Washington, 5 Gyres.
Click here to see the full list of organizations in the United States supporting the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021.
Contact Us
For media and interview requests, please contact Brett Nadrich, BFFP US Communications Officer: brett@breakfreefromplastic.org
Do you want to get more involved in the movement to pass this important legislation?
Do you still have questions about the Break Free From Plastic Act? Send us a message!