US Moves To Ban Sale Of Single-Use Plastic Items In National Parks, Nature Sites

To commemorate World Ocean Day, the Joe Biden Administration has announced a slew of plans to target plastic pollution, with a new initiative aimed at stopping the sale of single-use plastic items in national parks, wildlife refuges, and other public lands. 

From now till 2032, the Department of the Interior will set out to identify non-hazardous, eco-friendly alternatives to these products, focusing on compostable, biodegradable, or 100% recycled materials. 

According to CNBC, the effort will see the sale and distribution of single-use plastic products and packaging reduced (and eventually halted) on over 480 million acres of land, which could prevent more than 14 million tons of plastic waste from ending up in the ocean annually. 

“During National Ocean Month, we celebrate the beauty and bounty of our ocean and reaffirm our commitment to protecting and conserving our marine environments for a sustainable future,” said President Biden. 

Over the course of the month, various Federal agencies will announce additional measures targeting the Administration’s ocean agenda, including possible investments in coastal resilience and restoration, and the deployment of offshore wind farms.

[via CNBC and The White House, cover image via Muhammad Annurmal | Dreamstime.com]