HELP REDUCE PLASTIC FOAM ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Roughly 33 billion pounds of plastic enter the marine environment every year, creating a growing problem for our oceans and the animals that live there. Scientists have found plastic everywhere from the deepest part of the seas to the highest mountains and even in our own bodies.

Plastic foam, which is often used for cups, plates, and food containers as well as packaging, is one of the most common plastics found polluting our beaches and coasts. Plastic foam easily breaks up into smaller and smaller pieces, making it extremely difficult to clean up. Sea turtles, seabirds, and other ocean wildlife frequently mistake plastic foam for food.

Twelve states and more than 200 cities and counties have passed policies to reduce plastic foam. Now is the time for national action.

Tell your members of Congress to protect our oceans and health from harmful plastic foam pollution today.

petition text

Dear {contact_data~salutation},

As your constituent, I’m asking you to support policies to reduce plastic foam. The oceans face a massive and growing threat from plastic pollution, including plastic foam, and the United States is the biggest contributor of plastic waste in the world. Policies governing the production and use of single-use plastic items are the most effective way to address the growing plastic pollution crisis.

Expanded polystyrene, or plastic foam, is commonly used for single-use cups, plates, and other food containers as well as packaging. Plastic foam is one of the top items found polluting beaches in the U.S. and around the world. Plastic foam breaks up into small pieces that spread easily and are extremely difficult to clean up. Sea turtles, seabirds, and other ocean wildlife can mistake plastic foam for food, which can block the digestive system or even lead to starvation.

Styrene — the major building block of polystyrene that’s considered “probably carcinogenic” by the World Health Organization — has been found to leach out of polystyrene containers, posing a threat to human health.

Twelve states and hundreds of cities and counties have passed policies to reduce plastic foam. A 2023 Oceana nationwide poll showed broad bipartisan concern about single-use plastics and support for reducing both the production and use of these products and increasing the use of reusable packaging and foodware. The poll also found that 72% of American voters support policies to reduce plastic foam foodware, packing peanuts, and coolers.

Please support bills to tackle plastic foam pollution at the source and protect our oceans and health.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}

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