[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 60 (Thursday, April 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E947-E948]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE PLASTIC BAG REDUCTION ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 23, 2009

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing the 
``Plastic Bag Reduction Act,'' legislation that will protect our 
watersheds, and ultimately the marine environment, by reducing a major 
source of coastal and marine debris, single-use packaging.
  Trash in our watersheds interferes with public use and enjoyment of 
natural resources, can be hazardous to wildlife, and can break down 
into tiny ``microplastics'' that enter the food chain, carrying toxins 
with them. Trash is a serious problem in the Potomac and Anacostia 
River watersheds, where every year cleanup efforts retrieve tons of 
plastic bags and beverage containers.
  Much of the trash that reaches major watersheds does not stay in the 
watersheds--it is washed out to sea and becomes marine debris. 
Scientists are becoming alarmed about massive ``garbage patches'' that 
are building up in nearly all of the world's oceans. The best-known 
patch consists of an estimated 100 million tons of plastic debris that 
has accumulated inside a circular vortex of currents known as the North 
Pacific gyre. It is estimated to be anywhere from 270,000 square miles 
to almost 580,000 square miles--between six and thirteen times the size 
of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Eighty per cent of the plastic in 
these ocean gyres is believed to come from the land.
  The debris that chokes our inland watersheds, our coastlines, and the 
marine environment sickens and kills thousands of animals every year. 
Over 267 species worldwide have been impacted by plastic bags and other 
litter through entanglement or ingestion. Scientists are also realizing 
that the increasing volume of plastic that is slowly decomposing in the 
world's oceans may present a longterm problem for marine food chains. 
As plastic items break down, any toxic additives they contain--
including flame retardants, antimicrobials, and plasticizers--may be 
released into the ocean environment. Not only are the components of the 
plastics themselves entering the food chain, but so are toxic chemicals 
that attach to the plastic particles because of plastic's molecular 
tendency to attract oils.
  Many of these chemicals may disrupt the endocrine system--the 
delicately balanced set of hormones and glands that affect virtually 
every organ and cell. In marine environments, excess estrogen has led 
to discoveries of male fish and seagulls with female sex organs.
  The Plastic Bag Reduction Act encourages consumers to choose reusable 
bags by imposing a 5 cent tax on single-use carryout bags beginning 
January 1, 2010. On January 1, 2015, the amount of the tax increases to 
25 cents per bag. The tax applies to paper as well as to plastic 
single-use carryout bags. Of each 5 cents charged to the customer, the 
retail seller may apply for a tax credit of one cent for carrying out a 
qualified carryout bag recycling program. Of each 5 cents charged to 
the customer, one cent will be transferred to the Land and Water 
Conservation Fund. Finally, the bill directs the Comptroller General to 
conduct a study of the effectiveness of the provisions of the 
legislation and evaluate whether imposing a tax on other products, such 
as food wrappers and containers, could reduce the use of those 
products.
  I am also co-sponsoring Congressman Markey's ``Bottle Recycling 
Climate Protection Act of 2009.'' This legislation will impose a 5 cent 
deposit on beverage containers, which will reduce the number of bottles 
and cans that end up as trash in oceans and inland watersheds.
  Madam Speaker, human health is directly linked to the health of our 
watersheds and

[[Page E948]]

oceans. Each of us needs to take responsibility for protecting these 
essential resources. We can do so through the simple step of taking 
reusable bags with us when we shop. The Trash Free Watersheds Act 
creates a tax that I hope no American will choose to pay.

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