Expressing support for the designation of July 2026 as "Plastic Pollution Action Month".

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1470 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1470

   Expressing support for the designation of July 2026 as ``Plastic 
                       Pollution Action Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             August 3, 2026

 Mr. Doggett (for himself, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Mr. Min, and Mr. Levin) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                         on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
   Expressing support for the designation of July 2026 as ``Plastic 
                       Pollution Action Month''.

Whereas plastic pollution represents a global threat that will require 
        individual and collective action, both nationally and internationally, 
        to address;
Whereas approximately 450,000,000 tons of plastic is produced each year, a 
        number that is projected to triple by 2050;
Whereas, in the United States--

    (1) the rate of plastic waste recycling is less than 10 percent; and

    (2) less than 3 percent of plastic waste is recycled into a similar 
quality product;

Whereas a study from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development 
        found that, in 2022, the United States--

    (1) mismanaged 4 percent of plastic waste;

    (2) landfilled 73 percent of plastic waste;

    (3) incinerated 19 percent of plastic waste; and

    (4) recycled 4 percent of plastic waste;

Whereas single-use plastics account for not less than 40 percent of the plastic 
        produced every year;
Whereas more than 12,000,000 tons of plastic waste enter the ocean every year 
        from land-based sources alone;
Whereas, if no action is taken, the flow of plastics into the ocean is expected 
        to triple by 2040;
Whereas, as of the date of adoption of this resolution, studies estimate that 
        there are approximately 171,000,000,000,000 pieces of plastic in the 
        oceans of the world;
Whereas, of those 171,000,000,000,000 pieces of plastic in the ocean, 1 percent 
        floats, 5 percent washes up on beaches, and 94 percent sinks to the 
        bottom;
Whereas nearly 1,300 marine species have consumed plastics;
Whereas peer-reviewed modeling has found that ingesting less than 3 sugar cubes 
        of plastic can kill a seabird;
Whereas plastics, and associated chemicals of plastics, are ingested by humans 
        and are associated with well-established human health risks;
Whereas studies have found microplastic particles in human blood, lungs, colons, 
        and placentas;
Whereas studies suggest that humans ingest more than 800 microplastics per day;
Whereas taking action to reduce plastic use, collect and clean up litter, and 
        reuse and recycle more plastics will lead to less plastic pollution;
Whereas, every July, people challenge themselves to reduce their plastic 
        footprint through ``Plastics Free July'';
Whereas, during the 40-year period preceding the date of adoption of this 
        resolution, more than 19,000,000 volunteers have joined the 
        International Coastal Cleanup to collect more than 400,000,000 pounds of 
        plastic and debris while simultaneously recording their findings to 
        inform research and upstream action;
Whereas switching to reusable items instead of single-use items can prevent 
        waste, save water, and reduce litter; and
Whereas July 2026 is an appropriate month to designate as ``Plastic Pollution 
        Action Month'' to recommit to taking action, individually and as a 
        country, to reduce plastic pollution: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses support for the designation of ``Plastic 
        Pollution Action Month'';
            (2) recognizes the dangers to human health and the 
        environment posed by plastic pollution; and
            (3) encourages all individuals in the United States to 
        protect, conserve, maintain, and rebuild public health and the 
        environment by responsibly participating in activities to 
        reduce plastic pollution year-round.
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