Today, the Administration announced two new commitments within an existing Executive Order, calling for the phase out of all single-use plastic products across US federal government agencies by 2035 and phase out of all single-use plastic products in food service, packaging and events by 2027. Paired with these commitments, the Administration also released Mobilizing Federal Action on Plastic Pollution, a report outlining necessary steps for a whole-of-government approach to addressing plastic pollution. In response, WWF issued the following statement from Erin Simon, Vice President and Head of Plastic Waste and Business:
"As the single largest consumer in the world, the US federal government has an outsized role to play in curbing the use of problematic and unnecessary plastic products. The Administration's commitment to removing single-use plastic products across an entity this large goes beyond the positive environmental effects, sending a message to the public and private sector across the world: if we can make change happen at scale, so can you.
"While commitments are important, the 'how' is essential. Mobilizing Federal Action on Plastic Pollution provides the strategic analysis needed to meet these goals. It also answers calls from the NGO and business communities, advocating for policies like federal EPR that, if enacted, set us on a path toward solving our domestic plastic problem.
"We're heartened to see this report doesn't shy away from the negative impacts that plastics have on human health and analyzes the problem through the full life cycle of plastic. Cleaning up the global plastic mess must start at home. And today under President Biden and Vice President Harris' leadership, the US government is doing exactly that. The world is watching; now is the time for bold commitments and concrete action on plastic."
