Washington, DC, August 16, 2024 – EARTHDAY.ORG welcomes the recent announcement that the United States Government is now committed to introducing plastic production caps into the Global Plastics Treaty. As we approach the INC-5 negotiations in South Korea later this year, it is encouraging to see our government listening to civil society and prioritizing public health over the interests of the petrochemical industry.
A recent Reuter’s article, confirmed by the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s spokesperson Justin Weiss, represents a significant step forward for the United States. With a commitment to set plastic production caps and regulate some of the most harmful chemicals used in the plastic industry.
EARTHDAY.ORG and billions across the globe have been instrumental in shining a spotlight on the serious human health risks associated with microplastics and plastic toxic chemicals. The Earth Day 2024 Theme, Planet vs. Plastics was specifically designed for this purpose.
“We applaud the US government for acknowledging plastic production is out of control and needs to come down.” said Kathleen Rogers, President, EARTHDAY.ORG. “ We hope that the United States will reduce plastic production by 60% by 2040 and invest in research of the health impacts of plastic and their additive chemicals.”
While some may dismiss these concerns as the desires of “extreme NGO groups”, we challenge that perspective. It is not extremist to want a clean and healthy environment for everyone.
A recent study from February 2024 estimates that the healthcare costs in America alone associated with the chemicals used in plastics, at a staggering $250 billion a year, that is the equivalent of 1.22% of our gross domestic product.
The plastic and petrochemical lobby ignore these human health consequences and their associated costs. Instead, the plastic lobbyists are working hard to position any reduction in plastic production, or meaningful regulation on plastic toxic chemicals, as an attack on the US economy that will cost American jobs.
We cannot and will never be able to recycle our way out of this crisis and the petrochemical’s greenwashing around this sentiment is a smokescreen. Our planet does not need and cannot afford any more plastic polluting our environment, our wildlife or our own bodies. The only solution is capping plastic production globally.
We sincerely hope the United States Government stays on course towards supporting a healthier planet for all and remains responsive to the needs of its people, rather than the profits and interests of petrochemical chemicals, the industry behind plastic production.
About EARTHDAY.ORG: Our founders created and organized the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. Since then, EARTHDAY.ORG has mobilized over one billion people annually to protect the planet. EARTHDAY.ORG’s mission is to diversify, educate, and activate the environmental community worldwide. Learn more at EARTHDAY.ORG.
For Media Inquiries/background/quotes and interviews:
Sarah Davies, [email protected], +1 240 463 1341 (Washington DC)
Terran Fielder, [email protected], +1 661 444 4436 (Washington DC)
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