A report by the Ellen MacArthur foundation and the World Economic Forum found that by 2050, if our world continues to use and abuse plastics, the plastic in the ocean will outnumber the fish. Not only does this threaten the health of the planet, but also our own. Every year, the average person consumes about 70,000 microplastics, something that should not enter our bodies.

Plastic doesn’t only contribute to pollution and health, it is also a major contributor to our warming climate, releasing about 3.4% of all greenhouse gas emissions. However, this does not need to be the case.

The White House continues to oppose the proposal to make the Plastic Treaty legally bind membership countries to the same pollution standards, arguing that countries need to set their own limits.

In this regard, our government is failing us. What we need right now is leadership that is willing to concede the economic gains from the plastics industry in favor of a future, for without American cooperation, there may not be one. 

We call on the White House to commit once and for all to:

• Support a highly ambitious Global Plastic Treaty that binds all to the same standards
• An end to the production and sale of single-use plastics by 2030
• Requiring producers and retailers of plastics to be liable for the cost of any environmental or health-related damages in accordance with the “producer pays” principle
• Public and private sector investments in innovation to replace all fossil fuel-based plastics
• Ban all plastic-related tobacco products including, but not limited to tobacco filters and e-cigarettes
• Ban the export of plastic waste
• Ending the incineration of plastic waste
• Fully financed education and public awareness campaigns to inform the public about reasons and strategies for ending plastic pollution

The Global Plastic Treaty is an opportunity for the White House to prove that the health of the planet and its citizens take priority over a lucrative industry. Most importantly, though, it is a chance for our world to come together as one, and truly pledge and commit themselves to restoring the planet. We cannot allow our government to prevent the Global Plastic Treaty from achieving its potential and kick off the beginning of the end to plastic pollution.