The Biden-Harris Administration is releasing the first comprehensive, government-wide strategy to target plastic pollution at production, processing, use and disposal. Mobilizing Federal Action on Plastic Pollution: Progress, Principles, and Priorities outlines existing and new federal actions to reduce the impact of plastic pollution throughout the plastic lifecycle and calls for sustained and coordinated work with state, local, Tribal and Territorial governments, local communities, the private sector, and other stakeholders to address the scale and breadth of the plastic pollution challenge.
Additionally, the administration announced a new goal to phase out federal procurement of single-use plastics from food service operations, events, and packaging by 2027, and from all federal operations by 2035. Meeting the new goal by selecting reusable, compostable and highly recyclable products in lieu of single-use plastics in food service will further agencies’ obligations under the executive order.
These actions further leverage the purchasing power of the federal government to reduce emissions, protect public health, and spur markets for new sustainable products. They also enhance domestic initiatives that reinforce U.S. leadership in ongoing international efforts to develop a strong agreement to tackle the plastic pollution crisis across the globe.