Specifically, we are calling on the President to:
- Push for a strong plastics treaty: Endorse mandatory limits on plastic production and full chemicals transparency, as well as restrictions on single use plastics, high priority chemicals and polymers of concern, and toxic processes like “chemical recycling” as part of the global plastic treaty currently being negotiated;
- Push back on "chemical recycling": Discontinue support – including via permitting, de-regulation, and subsidy – for all plastic waste disposal methods that generate toxic air pollution and hazardous waste, including gasification, pyrolysis, and other processes which the plastic industry continues to greenwash as “chemical recycling,” “advanced recycling” and “molecular recycling”;
- Take positive steps to address the plastic and toxics crises: Use the government’s purchasing, research and regulatory power to reduce plastic production, consumption, and disposal; increase transparency and public right-to-know about the toxic chemicals used in plastic production and the harmful emissions being released to communities; and promote a just transition to a toxic-free, reuse-based economy.
As you all know, the explosion of plastic production and pollution threatens the health of environmental justice communities, ecosystems, and the general public, while jeopardizing efforts to prevent the worst of the climate crisis.
