A new bill introduced to Congress proposes a reduction of the production of plastic in the United States. There is often a focus on consumers to responsibly reduce the amount of plastic they consume and dispose of it properly. The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020 shifts responsibility to the producers of plastic, holding them financially responsible for waste they create.
Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico and Representative Alan Lowenthal of California introduced the bill which would ban plastic takeout bags, utensils, and plastic foam containers that cannot be recycled nationwide. Additionally, a nationwide container deposit system would be put into place, paying 10 cents for every returned beverage container. The legislation also forces manufacturers to collect recycled goods themselves, relieving taxpayers of the burden.