EPA dropped its call for a reduction in “unrecyclable” plastic products, sidestepping controversial questions on how it defines recyclability and recycling activities.
EPA on Thursday published its final strategy for preventing plastic pollution, which lays out a menu of ideas the agency could act on, such as setting a voluntary goal for reducing the number of single-use plastics made or pumping more resources into local recycling efforts.
The objectives aren’t too far from what the agency first drafted in April 2023. The strategy still calls for a nationwide reduction in single-use plastics, improved reuse and better measures for capturing waste before it enters the environment. An overwhelming number of comments submitted asked EPA to overhaul the strategy, with environmentalists wanting enforceable timelines and goals.
The final version now embraces Extended Producer Responsibility schemes as an “effective” policy approach and eyes plans on material alternatives to plastics.
