The Biden administration has unveiled a comprehensive plan to address plastic pollution, with a particular emphasis on phasing out single-use plastics. This initiative will target items such as kitchen cutlery, cups, straws, and other disposable plastic products across federal departments.
In a move aimed at combating the climate crisis, President Biden issued an executive order in July calling for a coordinated effort from all federal agencies. The White House emphasized the President's commitment to taking ambitious actions to end plastic pollution and urged the global community to join in reducing the production and consumption of virgin plastics.
As part of the plan, the White House announced a phased approach to eliminate single-use plastics, including food and beverage containers, bottles, straws, cups, cutlery, and disposable plastic bags. The administration set a 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.
Republican lawmakers have criticized the initiative, with some calling it 'laughable' and questioning its priorities. Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota expressed skepticism, stating, 'The world's on fire and he's worried about plastic forks.' Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma described the plan as 'messaging and ridiculousness,' raising concerns about increased costs and its impact on the industry.
Senator Mike Lee of Utah suggested an alternative approach, advocating for a reduction in the size of the federal government rather than focusing on plastic consumption. He argued that shrinking the government would lead to decreased consumption and cost savings.
The Biden administration clarified that certain agency activities may be exempted from the executive order in cases of national security. Agencies can seek exemptions to protect intelligence sources, undercover law enforcement operations, or other national security interests.
Overall, the Biden administration's plan to phase out single-use plastics represents a significant step towards addressing plastic pollution and promoting environmental sustainability.
