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By Juliana Reed
Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Not-For-Profit U.S. Biosimilars Forum
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Amid a summer of historic headlines, the Biden-Harris administration quietly took consequential action last month that will benefit the health of all Americans for generations to come. The federal government will phase out the purchase of all single-use plastic over the next decade–including a commitment to end its use in food service and packaging by 2027. At the same time, the administration released a comprehensive federal strategy that signals a transformative shift that will help free us from the plastic pollution crisis.
This is the first formal federal recognition of what marine scientists and health experts have known for a long time—that plastic pollution is a major problem that demands a serious, large-scale response. Thankfully, this long-awaited government-wide strategy plans to tackle plastic pollution throughout its lifecycle—from its initial extraction, to the emissions-heavy refining and production processes, to waste and recycling.
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As aquarium leaders, we and others have called for action because we see plastic pollution for what it is—a crisis with far-reaching impacts not just for ocean and freshwater environments, but for our health and well-being.
Every minute, the equivalent of one garbage truck of plastic is dumped into the ocean. Paired with the millions of tons of plastic trash that flows through our rivers, lakes, and seas, it's no surprise that most species of turtles, whales, and seabirds have been harmed by eating or getting entangled in plastic. More alarming still, microplastics are seeping into our bodies, through the air we breathe and the food we eat—even reaching the blood in our veins.
Most Americans support decisive action to curb plastic waste. That's also what we often hear from the millions of guests who come to our aquariums each year. They're concerned about how plastic disrupts the delicate balance of aquatic life they see in our exhibits and how it permeates their own lives, from the plastic film coating school lunches, straws and bottles they see floating in local streams, and nano-plastics flowing from the water tap in their kitchen sinks.
The U.S.' thoughtful new strategy tackles the threat from the very beginning of its creation. To make plastic, the production process releases harmful chemicals and toxins that can affect brain development, disrupt hormones, and even cause cancer. The risks are especially high for children, pregnant women, and marginalized people who are disproportionately impacted compared to other communities in the U.S. because they too often live close to plastic production and waste disposal facilities.
Plastic is a major contributor to climate change, as the primary raw materials used in its creation are coal, natural gas, and crude oil—all leading sources of harmful emissions. The new White House actions will limit the production and use of primary plastic that doesn't contain any recycled material, which increases the release of greenhouse gasses and deepens our dependence on dirty energy sources.
We now have a real opportunity to tackle plastic pollution in a meaningful way. And, we all need to do our part.
Members of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership, a nationwide coalition of 31 aquariums and zoos, successfully reduced single-use plastics in our operations, educated millions of guests about the impacts of plastic pollution, and advocated for stronger plastic reduction policies in our communities and nationally. If relatively small organizations like ours can make a big difference in our communities and with the support of our guests, imagine the possibility when major corporations follow our example.
Our nation must also be vigilant in addressing the plastic pollution threat worldwide. The U.S. is the world's biggest contributor to the plastic pollution problem and has set a bold example with this action. It can further its leadership by advocating for a strong and ambitious global plastics pollution treaty.
The White House's new strategy lays the foundation for the important work needed to build a better future free of unnecessary waste and toxins in our food, water, and bodies. It's time to break the bonds and untangle ourselves from plastic pollution for good.
Julie Packard is executive director and co-founder of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Keith Sanford is the president and CEO of the Tennessee Aquarium.
Both are members of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership, which supports ocean and freshwater conservation efforts of U.S. aquariums and zoos.
The views expressed in this article are the writers' own.
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