News that the United States will support provisions in a global plastics treaty to reduce the production of new plastics, signaling a shift from its previous position, has been applauded by environmental advocates.
Reuters recently reported that the US has shifted its position to support a global plastic production reduction target in the UN Plastics Treaty currently being negotiated.
The Ocean Conservancy’s Associate Director of US Plastics Policy Dr. Anja Brandon said in a statement:
“We are deeply excited that the US is shifting its position to support a reduction in plastics production in the treaty. The science is clear: to truly tackle plastic pollution, we need to start upstream by making less plastic in the first place. And it’s what the American people want – 78% of Americans consider plastic pollution entering the ocean a pressing problem.”
While Jen Fela, vice president of programs and communications for the Plastic Pollution Coalition, said:
“This news is really something to celebrate. Science and common sense tell us that to solve plastic pollution, we need to turn off the tap of plastic production. Industry is already producing more plastic than the world can handle, and it is poisoning people and the planet; we simply cannot produce more. We are grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for acknowledging this truth and shifting position to support a reduction in plastic production, and we look forward to seeing their leadership in action in Busan this November at the next and final UN Plastics Treaty negotiation.”
