Technological watch
Plastic Makers Welcome House Introduction of Save Our Seas 2.0 Act
WASHINGTON (July 25, 2019) — Today, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Congressman Don Young (R-AK), Co-Chairs of the Bipartisan House Oceans Caucus, introduced the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, HR 3969. The following statement may be attributed to Steve Russell, vice president of ACC’s Plastics Division:
“We are excited to work with Congress toward the passage of this critical bipartisan legislation. America’s plastic makers strongly support the bill’s focus on repurposing our plastic resources, and on reinforcing U.S. leadership in working with other governments to share knowledge and improve infrastructure to better manage and recycle more plastic waste. Plastic waste is a solvable challenge and this legislation will accelerate solutions in critical areas.
“The Save Our Seas 2.0 Act supports scientists and agencies in studying innovative ways to repurpose used plastics, including converting used plastics into chemicals, feedstocks, and other products for new manufacturing and studying ways to repurpose plastics in infrastructure projects, such as roads and bridges. We believe these actions will help accelerate progress toward a circular economy for plastics in the United States and abroad.
“Additionally, passage of this bill would create a revolving fund to strengthen domestic recycling. In 2018, America’s plastic makers established a goal of making all plastic packaging in the United States reusable, recyclable, or recoverable by 2030 and for all plastic packaging to be reused, recycled, or recovered by 2040. A collaborative effort—involving government, industry, recyclers, and other stakeholders—will be critical to achieving these goals.
“In addition to these domestic goals, many of America’s plastic makers are among the founders of and contributors to the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, a new nonprofit with a goal of deploying $1.5 billion to help develop the systems, knowledge, and infrastructure needed to collect and repurpose waste, including in regions around the world where most environmental leakage occurs. Other key members of the Alliance include consumer brand companies, plastic processors and recyclers.”
» Learn More—Recover & Repurpose: Keeping Plastics Out of the Environment
“We are excited to work with Congress toward the passage of this critical bipartisan legislation. America’s plastic makers strongly support the bill’s focus on repurposing our plastic resources, and on reinforcing U.S. leadership in working with other governments to share knowledge and improve infrastructure to better manage and recycle more plastic waste. Plastic waste is a solvable challenge and this legislation will accelerate solutions in critical areas.
“The Save Our Seas 2.0 Act supports scientists and agencies in studying innovative ways to repurpose used plastics, including converting used plastics into chemicals, feedstocks, and other products for new manufacturing and studying ways to repurpose plastics in infrastructure projects, such as roads and bridges. We believe these actions will help accelerate progress toward a circular economy for plastics in the United States and abroad.
“Additionally, passage of this bill would create a revolving fund to strengthen domestic recycling. In 2018, America’s plastic makers established a goal of making all plastic packaging in the United States reusable, recyclable, or recoverable by 2030 and for all plastic packaging to be reused, recycled, or recovered by 2040. A collaborative effort—involving government, industry, recyclers, and other stakeholders—will be critical to achieving these goals.
“In addition to these domestic goals, many of America’s plastic makers are among the founders of and contributors to the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, a new nonprofit with a goal of deploying $1.5 billion to help develop the systems, knowledge, and infrastructure needed to collect and repurpose waste, including in regions around the world where most environmental leakage occurs. Other key members of the Alliance include consumer brand companies, plastic processors and recyclers.”
» Learn More—Recover & Repurpose: Keeping Plastics Out of the Environment
This project has been co-funded with the support of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Union [LIFE17 ENV/ES/000438] Life programme
The website reflects only the author's view. The Commission is not responsible for any use thay may be made of the information it contains.Last update: 2022-01-31
