Oceana releases new poll on single-use plastics in America

Oceana, an oceans advocacy group based in Washington, has released the results of a nationwide poll on American’s views toward single-use plastics. The national online poll, conducted by the nonpartisan polling company Ipsos, surveyed 1,005 American adults from across the U.S. between Nov. 5 and 9, 2021.

According to Oceana, the poll reveals that 81 percent of voters support national, state and local policies that reduce single-use plastic. Registered voters reported being concerned about plastic pollution, and there is widespread bipartisan support for policies that reduce the use of single-use plastic products, including plastic bags, foam foodware, takeout containers and packaging from online shopping, according to the poll.

“[Americans] are worried about the unnecessary plastic choking our oceans and want real policy change on the national level, so we need lawmakers to enact policies that actually stop pollution at the source,” says Christy Leavitt, Oceana plastics campaign director. “The good news is the U.S. already has the blueprint for change. Americans are counting on their leaders to reduce the use of single-use plastic, and the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act would do just that by phasing out single-use plastic products and putting a pause on new plastic facilities nationwide. Federal lawmakers need to get on board with the American public and the cities and states that have been leading the way for years on regulating single-use plastics before this becomes a crisis we can’t reverse.”

The Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act was introduced in February 2020 by Sen. Jeff Merkley, (D-Oregon), and Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-California) and continues the momentum initiated by cities, counties and states across America with recycling. This federal bill would phase out unnecessary single-use plastic products, protect fence line communities by putting a moratorium on new and expanded plastic production facilities and hold companies accountable for their plastic waste, Oceana says.

In addition to Congress passing this legislation, Oceana says the Biden administration can reduce plastic pollution by eliminating the sale and distribution of single-use plastic products in national parks, a move supported by 82 percent of American voters, according to an Oceana poll released last month.

“Plastic pollution has become one of our planet's greatest threats and, as this poll shows, Americans overwhelmingly support policies to reduce the use of single-use plastic,” Leavitt says.

Oceana’s survey results indicate the American public would support the U.S. following in the footsteps of countries that have led the way in single-use plastic reduction.

Key findings among surveyed registered voters include:

• Eighty four  percent are concerned about plastic pollution and its impact on the environment and our oceans.
• Eighty six percent are concerned about single-use plastic products.
• Eighty one percent support national policies that reduce single-use plastic.
• Eighty one percent support local and state policies that reduce single-use plastic.
• Seventy eight percent agree the United States has a responsibility to reduce its contribution to the global plastic pollution problem.

To learn more about Oceana’s campaign to stop plastic pollution, click here.