The United States generates enough plastic waste (PDF) to fill a football stadium 1.5 times EVERY DAY. Enough plastic enters our oceans annually to stack five grocery bags on every foot of coastline around the globe. Only 8% of this plastic is recycled, leaving the rest to be landfilled, incinerated, or littered.

The impact on marine life is devastating – ingesting plastic leads to physical harm and death for delicate and crucial ecosystems. And it’s not just under the sea being affected – plastic pollution is jeopardizing human health. Plastic breaks down into small particles called microplastics, and they’re found in our food, water, and air. In fact, humans potentially ingest the equivalent of a credit card's worth of microplastics every week. As if that’s not enough, some plastics contain additives that interfere with brain development, disrupt hormones, and are linked to cancer and congenital disabilities.

It’s past time for immediate action. Nearly half of U.S. plastic waste comes from single-use products and packaging. Alternatives to single-use plastics, such as recyclable, compostable, and reusable options, are readily available and effective. After Seattle (PDF) banned plastic bags, the city saw a 50% reduction in plastic bag waste. Similarly, California's ban led to a 72% decrease in plastic bags found during beach cleanups.

Tell Congress to enact a nationwide ban on single-use plastics. This is not just an environmental issue – it's a matter of public health and protecting our future generations.

Sign the petition: Ban single-use plastics!

Participating Organizations
Daily Kos
Demand Progress
Democracy for America Advocacy Fund
Endangered Species Coalition
Food & Water Watch
The Juggernaut Project
Progressive Reform Network
Stand.earth
TakeItBack.org