We just got one step closer to making this a reality!
This week, the Department of Interior (DOI) announced that it has finalized sustainable procurement plans to phase out single-use plastics in public spaces such as national parks, national wildlife refuges and conservation lands. This announcement comes after Secretary Deb Haaland signed a Secretary's Order in June 2022 to reduce the procurement, sale and distribution of single-use plastic products.
With sustainable options readily available such as refillable and reusable products, single-use plastics have no place in our most loved and pristine places. Rather, they harm our wildlife, environment and communities.
These sustainable procurement plans are a critical part of adding specificity to how each agency under the Department will phase out single-use plastics. In addition, DOI's key action areas include increasing the number of water bottle filling stations, recycling and waste diversion, cleanups, and outreach and education to shift public behavior. Surfrider is also a part of a coalition urging the National Park Service to:
- Direct parks that previously banned the sale of plastic water bottles to expeditiously reinstate those bans, no later than the end of this calendar year;
- Immediately discontinue the purchase and distribution of polystyrene foam products at all parks; and
- Exclude single-use plastic in all new concession contracts.
Sign the action alert voicing your support for Plastic-Free Parks!
Talking trash and getting my hands dirty with the 5 Gyres Crew, Alison Waliszewki and Eliseo Nevarez.
I recently joined the 5 Gyres’ TrashBlitz program and the Yosemite Climbing Association's Facelift event to advocate for plastic-free parks. Tucked in the majestic Yosemite Valley and under an endless blue sky, I picked up and sorted trash to help collect data on the type, material, brand and location.
Just like Surfrider's beach cleanup program, data is critical to promoting policy solutions that reduce plastic pollution. I wasn't surprised but dismayed to see that similar to what we find at our beach cleanups, cigarette butts and plastic fragments were common items found.
Eliseo and Dr. Win Cowger (aka Dr. Trash) with the Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research sorting trash and collecting data.
Through a robust dataset, we can show the scale and magnitude of this issue and that we need holistic policy changes now to reduce plastic pollution. Join a local beach cleanup to help make a difference and inform policy!