The plastic crisis is not all doom and gloom, even with the uncertainties caused by the Covid pandemic, there are positive steps to reduce plastic waste happening right now!
Maryland Styrofoam Foodware Ban: As of October, 1st, expanded polystyrene (EPS), commonly referred to as Styrofoam, food and beverage containers are banned in Maryland! For anyone who participates in clean ups along the Potomac River they should start to see a reduction in the amount of EPS they find during their clean ups. Not only is this great for the environment, it’s great for Virginia because at the 2021 General Assembly our elected officials will have to vote to confirm the 2020 vote to ban EPS food and beverage service containers. With both DC and Maryland banning EPS food and beverage service containers, Virginia does not want to be left behind. You can read some more about Maryland’s EPS ban here!
Scottish Single Use Plastic Ban: The Scottish government has begun the process to ban several single use plastic products. Under the plan they are developing businesses would not be allowed to provide customers with plastic cutlery, foodware, including EPS. Scotland has already taken some great steps forward, they already have a nationwide single use plastic bag fee and have passed regulation to begin a container deposit program. The new plan would take their fight against the plastic crisis even further. Zero Waste Scotland has extensive information, check it out here!
(Infographic credit: Zero Waste Scotland, from referenced website)
Canada Single Use Plastic Ban: By the end of next year Canada will ban several single use plastic items including plastic bags, cutlery, six pack rings, and EPS food and beverage containers. This action in Canada would ban many of the same harmful plastic products that have been targeted by the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act that we have been talking about so much. The further plastic waste reduction legislation advances around the world, the more likely it becomes that the US federal government will take similar sweeping action. Read more about Canada’s single use plastic ban here!
Litter Free Virginia: The Virginia General Assembly should be wrapping up soon and that means we’ll start hearing about the legislation elected officials will be submitting for the 2021 General Assembly. Last session there were almost 4,000 pieces of legislation that was covered in 60 days, it would be impossible for one person or organization to track every important piece of legislation. At Litter Free Virginia (litterfreeva.org) we track every bill that has to do with single use plastic, the litter tax, recycling, composting, and solid waste. These bills don’t always get a lot of attention and our elected officials need to know their constituents want them to take action to stop the plastic crisis. During the General Assembly we send out about 1 email every week to let people know where the bills stand and how they can take action. We encourage you to sign up for the Litter Free Virginia newsletter to help make you a more effective advocate for plastic waste reduction!
As a non profit organization, especially a small one, we don’t have the funds to engage in lobbying. By providing this information, about pieces of legislation, we serve our mission and the people of Fairfax County and the Commonwealth of Virginia through advocacy.
