LegiStorm

Summary:

Global and domestic plastic production has increased substantially since the mid-20th century— doubling in the last two decades. The durability, moldability, and versatility of plastic have led to its ubiquitous use, benefiting many aspects of society, including the food, medical, technology, textile, and transportation industries, among others. As plastic production and use have grown, so have concerns about the impacts of plastic on the environment. These include concerns about increasing rates of plastic waste generation, insufficient management of plastic waste, and the plastic pollution that results when plastic waste enters, or “leaks,” into the environment, including land-based, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. Some are also concerned about the potential environmental and human health effects of the chemicals used to produce plastics and the air emissions generated across the plastic lifecycle. Plastic waste generation has increased alongside the rise in plastic production and use, more than doubling over the last two decades globally. Infrastructure for solid waste management and recycling has not kept pace with this growth. While some plastic is recycled, most plastic waste is landfilled or incinerated. Some plastic waste is also mismanaged (i.e., littered or improperly disposed). Mismanaged plastic is the main source of larger plastics (i.e., macroplastics) entering into the environment. Plastic waste enters the environment through a variety of pathways across the plastic lifecycle. Once in the environment, macroplastics may fragment into smaller pieces of plastic (i.e., microplastics, ranging in size from 5 millimeters down to a 5- millionfold-smaller 1 nanometer). Both macroplastics and microplastics pose risks to the environment, including land-based, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. Some of the impacts of concern include wildlife ingesting plastic or becoming entangled in plastic waste, which can lead to suffocation or starvation. Microplastics are also persistent and may accumulate in the environment—such as in deep ocean sediments, water columns of oceans and lakes, soils, or the atmosphere—and in organisms (both humans and wildlife). The risks from plastic pollution arise from the physical plastic particles and from the potential toxicity of the chemicals from which the plastics are made. In addition, pollutants can adhere to plastics in the environment, posing further potential risk when ingested or inhaled. To this end, some are concerned about the potential impact of microplastics (including a subset of microplastics called nanoplastics, which are smaller than 1,000 nanometers) on human health when ingested or inhaled, particularly with regard to the chemicals found in plastics. Experts continue to research the potential effects of microplastics. Other environmental impacts include air emissions generated across the plastic lifecycle. The processes used to produce plastic and for certain post-use disposal practices (e.g., incineration and recycling) generate greenhouse gas and other air emissions that have the potential to contribute to climate change and air quality concerns. Gaps remain in understanding the magnitude and scope of these environmental impacts and the extent to which various sources of plastic contribute to these impacts. Observers have highlighted the importance of further research to better understand the plastic lifecycle, as well as the fate, transport, and effect of plastic pollution in the environment, to inform the adoption of effective policy options. Studies suggest that the adoption of policies across the lifecycle of plastic are needed to address the wide-ranging concerns associated with plastic pollution. Congress has shown interest in issues across the plastic lifecycle and has passed legislation, introduced bills, and held hearings to investigate and address various plastic-pollution-related concerns. Many federal agencies also have taken, and continue to take, steps to address plastic-pollution-related issues within their mission areas. The United States is also engaging in international efforts to address plastic pollution, most notably through global negotiations toward an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.