119-sres320

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 320 Introduced in Senate

    (IS) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
S. RES. 320

 Designating July 2025 as ``Plastic Pollution Action Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 July 14, 2025

 Mr. Merkley (for himself, Mr. Booker, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Van Hollen, 
 Mr. Welch, and Mr. Whitehouse) submitted the following resolution; 
 which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 Designating July 2025 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 460,000,000 tons of plastic are produced each year, a 
 number that is projected to triple by 2050;
Whereas, in the United States--

    (1) the rate of plastic waste recycling decreased in 2021 to between 4 
and 6 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 2024, the United States--

    (1) mismanaged 3 percent of plastic waste;

    (2) landfilled 73 percent of plastic waste;

    (3) incinerated 19 percent of plastic waste; and

    (4) recycled 5 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 more than 2,000 marine species have consumed plastics;
Whereas plastics, and associated chemicals of plastics, are ingested by humans 
 and are associated with well-established human health risks;
Whereas studies show that scientists have found microplastic particles in the 
 blood, lungs, colons, breastmilk, livers, feces, sputum, and placentas 
 of humans;
Whereas studies suggest that humans ingest up to 1,500,000 microplastic 
 particles per day;
Whereas taking action to reduce plastic production and use, to collect and clean 
 up litter, and to reuse and recycle more plastics will lead to less 
 plastic pollution;
Whereas, every July, individuals challenge themselves to reduce their plastic 
 footprint through ``Plastics Free July'';
Whereas, during the 50-year period preceding the date of adoption of this 
 resolution, more than 18,000,000 volunteers have joined the 
 International Coastal Cleanup to collect more than 380,000,000 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 2025 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 Senate--

    (1) designates July 2025 as ``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 in July 2025 and year-round.
 <all>