The White House Has a Plan to Slash Plastic Use in the U.S.

The Biden administration announced a plan to phase out purchases of single-use plastics by the federal government, the largest consumer goods buyer globally. This initiative aims to reduce demand for disposable plastic items and promote reusable, compostable, or easily recyclable alternatives. The plan includes stricter regulations on plastic manufacturing to address environmental concerns related to plastic pollution. The U.S. government intends to eliminate single-use plastics from its operations by 2035, starting with food, events, and packaging by 2027. The effort acknowledges the challenges in sectors like emergency medical use or combat settings where single-use plastics are prevalent. The plan also involves reducing plastic waste through measures like refillable printer cartridges and water-refill stations at government facilities. Despite potential political changes impacting the plan's continuity, environmental advocates see this initiative as a significant step towards addressing plastic pollution on a national and global scale.