Expressing support for the designation of July 2026 as “Plastic Pollution Action Month”.

Expressing support for the designation of July 2026 as “Plastic Pollution Action Month”.

Whereas plastic pollution represents a global threat that will require individual and collective action, both nationally and internationally, to address;

Whereas approximately 450,000,000 tons of plastic is produced each year, a number that is projected to triple by 2050;

Whereas, in the United States—

(1) the rate of plastic waste recycling is less than 10 percent; and

(2) less than 3 percent of plastic waste is recycled into a similar quality product;

Whereas a study from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development found that, in 2022, the United States—

(1) mismanaged 4 percent of plastic waste;

(2) landfilled 73 percent of plastic waste;

(3) incinerated 19 percent of plastic waste; and

(4) recycled 4 percent of plastic waste;

Whereas single-use plastics account for not less than 40 percent of the plastic produced every year;

Whereas more than 12,000,000 tons of plastic waste enter the ocean every year from land-based sources alone;

Whereas, if no action is taken, the flow of plastics into the ocean is expected to triple by 2040;

Whereas, as of the date of adoption of this resolution, studies estimate that there are approximately 171,000,000,000,000 pieces of plastic in the oceans of the world;

Whereas, of those 171,000,000,000,000 pieces of plastic in the ocean, 1 percent floats, 5 percent washes up on beaches, and 94 percent sinks to the bottom;

Whereas nearly 1,300 marine species have consumed plastics;

Whereas peer-reviewed modeling has found that ingesting less than 3 sugar cubes of plastic can kill a seabird;

Whereas plastics, and associated chemicals of plastics, are ingested by humans and are associated with well-established human health risks;

Whereas studies have found microplastic particles in human blood, lungs, colons, and placentas;

Whereas studies suggest that humans ingest more than 800 microplastics per day;

Whereas taking action to reduce plastic use, collect and clean up litter, and reuse and recycle more plastics will lead to less plastic pollution;

Whereas, every July, people challenge themselves to reduce their plastic footprint through “Plastics Free July”;

Whereas, during the 40-year period preceding the date of adoption of this resolution, more than 19,000,000 volunteers have joined the International Coastal Cleanup to collect more than 400,000,000 pounds of plastic and debris while simultaneously recording their findings to inform research and upstream action;

Whereas switching to reusable items instead of single-use items can prevent waste, save water, and reduce litter; and

Whereas July 2026 is an appropriate month to designate as “Plastic Pollution Action Month” to recommit to taking action, individually and as a country, to reduce plastic pollution: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) expresses support for the designation of “Plastic Pollution Action Month”;

(2) recognizes the dangers to human health and the environment posed by plastic pollution; and

(3) encourages all individuals in the United States to protect, conserve, maintain, and rebuild public health and the environment by responsibly participating in activities to reduce plastic pollution year-round.