The United States creates more plastics trash than any other country in the world and ranks third for contributing mismanaged waste to its beaches. Even with so much plastic, the U.S. recycled only 9% of it annually. Last week California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law sweeping plastics reform which basically requires a reduction in the amount of plastics. It requires a 25% reduction in the number of single-use plastics by 2032 either by shrinking packaging size, shifting to refillable containers, or utilizing alternate packaging such as carboard or aluminum. The law also transfers the cost of recycling to industry from municipalities and taxpayers. This practice, known as extended producer responsibility (EPR) has been in use in Europe and Canada for some years.

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Picture Credit Susanne Kuehne

Posted on 14 July 2022