The US government plans to eliminate single-use plastics from all federal agencies by 2035, citing the doubling of plastic production and waste over the past two decades. This decision aims to combat ocean pollution and protect public health.
President Joe Biden's administration intends to gradually phase out the use of single-use plastics for catering, events, and packaging by 2027, extending to all federal activities by 2035. As the largest purchaser of goods and services globally, the US government's move could have significant implications for the global markets.
In 2022, the Biden administration already banned single-use plastics from national parks in the US. Every year, approximately 15 million tons of plastic, including disposable items such as bottles, food packaging, and bags, end up in the oceans, according to the environmental organization Oceana.
They welcomed the new plan by the US government to gradually reduce the reliance on single-use plastics. In November, the final round of UN negotiations on a treaty to reduce plastic waste will take place in South Korea.
