III 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 763 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 11 (legislative day, July 10), 2024 Mr. Merkley (for himself, Mr. Whitehouse , Ms. Duckworth , Mr. Welch , Mr. Van Hollen , and Mr. Booker ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Designating July 2024 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 450,000,000 tons of plastic is 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 2022, the United States— (1) mismanaged 4 percent of plastic waste; (2) landfilled 73 percent of plastic waste; (3) incinerated 19 percent of plastic waste; and (4) recycled 4 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 nearly 1,300 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 have found microplastic particles in human blood, lungs, colons, and placentas; Whereas studies suggest that humans ingest more than 800 microplastics per day; Whereas taking action to reduce plastic use, collect and clean up litter, and reuse and recycle more plastics will lead to less plastic pollution; Whereas, every July, people challenge themselves to reduce their plastic footprint through Plastics Free July ; Whereas, during the 40-year period preceding the date of adoption of this resolution, more than 17,000,000 volunteers have joined the International Coastal Cleanup to collect more than 350,000,000 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 2024 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

That the Senate— (1) designates July 2024 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 2024 and year-round.