The new US plastic regulations outline a comprehensive strategy to address pollution from production to disposal.
The United States has introduced its first comprehensive plastic regulations, as Americans contribute to the global average of 1.6 pounds of plastic waste per person daily. The Biden administration’s plan, released in July 2024, represents the most ambitious US plastic regulations yet, covering everything from production to disposal and environmental cleanup.
This new strategy arrives as 175 nations work to create a binding international treaty on plastic pollution by the end of 2024. The U.S., as the world’s largest economy, holds significant influence over global plastic policies through its domestic regulations.
The new US plastic regulations arrive at a critical time, as recent studies show plastic pollution has reached unprecedented levels in American waterways. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that plastic debris makes up more than 80% of all marine litter found in U.S. coastal waters, with an estimated 8 million metric tons entering oceans annually.
A key element of the new US plastic regulations is developing a national standard for measuring microplastics – tiny pieces of plastic found in drinking water, air, and food. Currently, scientists lack consistent measurement methods, making studying their effects on human health difficult.
California began addressing this challenge in 2023 by creating a program to measure microplastics in drinking water. The federal government now plans to expand this approach nationwide, enabling scientists to collect standardized data for setting safety limits.
The federal standardization effort will involve collaboration between multiple agencies, including the EPA, FDA, and National Institutes of Health. These agencies will work together to establish testing protocols, reporting requirements, and safety thresholds for different types of environments and exposure pathways.
The regulations also tackle waste management responsibility. Currently, only 5% of U.S. plastic waste gets recycled. The rest ends up in landfills (86%) or is burned (9%), highlighting the urgent need for stronger regulations.
Four states – California, Colorado, Maine, and Oregon – have pioneered extended producer responsibility laws, requiring plastic producers to help pay for collecting and disposing of their products. These regulations have consistently increased recycling rates in areas where they’re implemented.
These state-level regulations have shown promising results. Maine, which implemented its law in 2021, reported a 23% increase in plastic recycling rates within the first year. Oregon’s program, launched in 2022, has already collected over 100,000 tons of plastic waste that would have otherwise ended up in landfills.
The federal government aims to support more states in creating similar programs while working toward a unified national approach. This aspect of the US plastic regulations could encourage the development of more environmentally friendly products and improved recycling systems.
The new federal strategy aims to build on these successes by providing technical assistance and funding to states interested in developing similar programs. The plan includes a $500 million grant program to help states establish their own extended producer responsibility systems.
The plan includes a significant mandate requiring federal agencies to stop purchasing single-use plastic items by 2035. As the world’s largest single buyer of goods and services, this federal regulation could drive widespread market changes in plastic alternatives.
Every plastic contains chemicals for specific properties like strength, softness, color, or fire resistance. Some of these chemicals, including bisphenols and phthalates, have been linked to serious health problems such as cancer and reproductive issues.
The health implications of these chemicals have become increasingly clear. A 2023 study by the National Institutes of Health found that Americans have an average of 17 different plastic-derived chemicals in their bloodstream. Children and pregnant women show particularly high exposure rates, raising concerns about developmental impacts.
Scientists advocate for stricter US plastic regulations that would classify certain plastics – including PVC, polystyrene, polyurethane, and polycarbonate – as hazardous waste rather than regular trash. Currently, these materials receive the same treatment as food scraps or used paper in the U.S., Europe, Australia, and Japan.
Global plastic production is expected to double by 2040. This projected increase would require the construction of approximately 400 new plastic production facilities worldwide, with at least 35 planned for the United States. Environmental impact assessments suggest these facilities could emit an additional 55 million tons of greenhouse gases annually, equivalent to the emissions of 27 million cars.
In response, 66 countries formed the High Ambition Coalition to advocate for stricter international regulations, including production limits. In 2024, several nations proposed reducing world plastic production to 40% below 2025 levels by 2040. Plastic manufacturers oppose this suggestion, arguing it would increase costs across all plastic products. They prefer focusing on recycled materials and improving recycling rates.
The U.S. initially resisted production limits. However, by August, reports indicated the Biden administration had shifted its stance and would support restrictions, including creating a global list of controlled chemicals.
This change could influence more countries to support production limits as final treaty negotiations approach in November 2024 in Busan, South Korea. While the plastic industry opposes these limits, and Congress must approve any global treaty, U.S. support could help reduce the growing global plastic burden.
For everyday Americans, these new plastic regulations could mean fewer single-use plastics in government buildings, expanded recycling programs in their states, and potentially higher prices for plastic products if production limits take effect. However, these changes could also result in cleaner water, air, and food with reduced exposure to harmful chemicals.
Implementation of the new US plastic regulations will be phased over the next decade, with initial focus on federal purchasing guidelines and standardized testing protocols. The EPA has established a timeline for rolling out specific components, with the first major deadlines set for early 2025. States will have flexibility in adopting and enforcing these regulations, but federal oversight will ensure consistent progress toward national goals.
The economic impact of these regulations is expected to be significant but manageable. Industry analysts project initial implementation costs of $3.5 billion across affected sectors, but potential savings of up to $8 billion annually through reduced waste management costs and improved recycling efficiency by 2030.
