Federal bill proposes changes to plastic waste and recycling

To overhaul the recycling infrastructure and phase out single-use plastics, a new sweeping bill has been introduced by the Federal Lawmakers. The move is primarily aimed at putting more responsibility on the packaging manufacturers for reducing waste.

Many single-use plastics that cannot be recycled will soon be banned. A few examples of single-use plastics are takeout food bags, plastic utensils, and plastic straws. The move will force restaurants to come up with alternatives that are compostable, recyclable or reusable. After the bill comes into effect, Plastic producers will have to design, finance and manage their recycling and waste programs. Apart from these, the refundable fee will be increased to 10 cents per bottle, and a national beverage container refund program will be created. Some of these solutions are already in place in certain states and cities, but a nationwide strategy would prove to be more effective.

The amount of plastic waste that never gets recycled is massive – currently at 92 percent – and has to be brought down immediately. Plastics can now not only be found in foods like shellfish, and drinking water, but also in rainwater. Pushed by the oil and gas industry, plastic production has now become a significant contributor to climate change.