Durbin Introduces Legislation To Stymie Plastic Pollution In Waterways

Durbin Introduces Legislation To Stymie Plastic Pollution In Waterways

The Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act would prohibit the discharge of plastic pellets into waterways

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act, which would require the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) to prohibit the discharge of plastic pellets and other pre-production plastic into waterways from facilities and sources that make, use, package, or transport pellets. The pellets are being consumed by fish and marine life-and in turn, humans-and create additional damage to ecosystems.

"Because only nine percent of all plastics end up being recycled, most plastic waste ends up in landfills, incinerated, or worse-finding its way into our rivers, lakes, and oceans," Durbin said. "The Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act would begin to address the plastic problem that is plaguing our nation's waterways and wildlife."

"Oceana thanks Senator?Dick Durbin for tackling plastic pollution by reintroducing the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act," said?Christy Leavitt, Senior Campaign Director at Oceana, which endorsed the bill. "Plastic pellets are small, yet their impact is vast and destructive because they easily spill into our oceans, lakes, and rivers and are difficult to clean up. Plastic pellets are worsening the plastic pollution crisis, and Congress must pass this?essential?bill?to safeguard our coasts and communities."

U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ed Markey (D-MA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) are cosponsors of the legislation.

U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA-49) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Plastic pellets, or nurdles, are the pre-production building blocks of nearly all plastic goods. Due to the low cost of producing these pellets, they are often washed down drains or dumped if they come in contact with other materials like dust and dirt. They are also often spilled both in the shipping and production process-eventually finding their way into our waterways, including the Great Lakes.

Each year, it is estimated plastic pellet pollution contributes significantly to the 22 million tons of plastic that end up in the Great Lakes. The shorelines of the Great Lakes are littered with plastic pellets, with a majority of beaches on all five Great Lakes recording significant pollution levels of these pellets (19.1 pellets per m2). These pellets not only are showing up on beaches, but are building up on the bottom of the lakes and are being consumed by fish and marine life, ultimately ending up in our food and consumer products. Plastic pollution has become so prevalent that researchers estimate 86 percent of the pollution on Great Lakes beaches are partially or entirely made up of plastic.

Approximately 250,000 tons of plastic pellets end up in the oceans annually. The Great Lakes, particularly Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, contain some of the highest levels of microplastics nationwide compared with other water sources.

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