On July 19, 2024, the Interagency Policy Committee on Plastic Pollution and a Circular Economy (IPC) released the “Mobilizing Federal Action on Plastic Pollution: Progress, Principles, and Priorities” (Plastic Strategy). This document highlights proposed federal actions to address plastic pollution throughout its life cycle, aligning with the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal to phase out federal procurement of single-use plastics by 2027 for food service operations, events, and packaging, and by 2035 for all federal operations. 

The Plastic Strategy details three core components: progress, principles, and priorities. It acknowledges the severity of the plastic pollution crisis and outlines comprehensive federal actions. Key federal efforts include eliminating single-use plastics, advancing environmental justice, and catalyzing clean energy industries. 

Progress includes previous federal actions like the Reduction of Single-Use Plastic Packaging Rule, infrastructure investments, and marine debris cleanup. These initiatives support the administration’s broader sustainability development goals. 

Principles guiding federal actions involve building partnerships, advancing environmental justice, incorporating indigenous knowledge, using the best available science, and strengthening interagency coordination. 

Priorities focus on reducing plastic production pollution, innovating materials and product design, decreasing plastic waste generation, improving waste management, and removing existing plastic pollution. 

The Plastic Strategy emphasizes international collaboration, advocating for the ratification of the Basel Convention to control plastic waste movements, highlighting the need for global efforts in combating plastic pollution. By leveraging federal procurement and emphasizing ESG principles, the Biden-Harris Administration aims to significantly advance sustainability development and reduce the environmental impact of plastics. 

Sources: 

https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2024/07/white-house-announces-new-strategy-on-plastics-pollution 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/07/19/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-releases-new-strategy-to-tackle-plastic-pollution-takes-action-to-reduce-single-use-plastics-in-federal-operations/