Statement

Plastics Makers Call for Enhanced Education and Waste Infrastructure to Address Marine Debris

Project Kaisei Applauded for Conducting Important Research

ARLINGTON, VA (September 1, 2009) – Today plastics makers welcomed the return of researchers affiliated with the Project Kaisei, two vessels that spent the month of August collecting samples in order to study marine debris in the North Pacific Gyre.  We believe their work will help to shed light on the importance of this problem and provide new insights toward helping to solve it.

Plastics makers agree that plastics do not belong in our oceans and waterways – they belong in the recycling bin.  In fact, many of the most commonly used plastics, things like bottles and bags, are readily recyclable in communities across the country. 

We share in the desire to protect the health of our oceans for future generations and are working to be part of the solution through concerted efforts to prevent litter, increase recycling and strengthen regional and international partnerships.  Our work also includes efforts to promote the reduction, reuse and recycling of plastics at all stages of a product’s life cycle.

Litter and marine debris are complex, global problems.  We believe that solving these problems will require enhanced education and awareness, a focus on behavioral change and prevention, international cooperation, and in many parts of the world, expansion of existing waste-management infrastructure. 

For our part, plastics makers are actively engaged in efforts to help reduce marine debris from both consumer and industrial sources.  Our activities include helping to create a nationwide recycling infrastructure (most recently, placing over 500 recycling bins on California beaches), educating children on marine debris, supporting a new national effort to fight litter, assisting major grocers and retailers in their efforts to establish plastic bag recycling programs, encouraging an online dialogue on challenges and opportunities in the effort to advance recycling, and developing more efficient packaging, among others. 

Learn more about marine debris.

About the Plastics Department
The American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Department represents leading companies dedicated to providing innovative solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow through plastics.  Ongoing innovations in plastics have led to medical advances and safety equipment that make our lives better, healthier and safer every day.  ACC members are finding innovative ways for plastics to help save energy, reduce green house gas emissions and decrease waste.  Since plastics are a valuable resource, too valuable to waste, the Plastics Department is at the forefront of efforts to reduce litter through increased access to recycling, advancements in recycling technology, and public education. To learn more, please visit www.americanchemistry.com/plastics.