Statement

Plastic Makers Agree: Plastics Belong in the Recycling Bin - Not in the Ocean

ARLINGTON, VA (April 22, 2009) – The global problem of litter and debris in our oceans is deservedly capturing public attention.  Marine debris is made up of a variety of materials, from a variety of sources, but there is one thing we can all agree on:  Even one piece of plastic in the ocean is one too many.  Plastics don’t belong in the ocean – they belong in the recycling bin.  Plastics are a valuable resource – too valuable to waste as litter and as trash. Many of the most commonly used plastics, things like bottles and bags, are readily recyclable. 

We all share a responsibility to reduce litter and prevent our coastlines and oceans from becoming repositories for waste.  Plastic makers agree with the majority of scientists and policy makers who have studied this issue that effective solutions require concerted efforts to prevent litter and increase recycling, and to work together through strong regional and international partnerships. 

For our part, we 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.

We all share the desire to protect our environment, and plastics makers are dedicated to being part of the solution to marine debris.  Working together, we can contribute to cleaner oceans, cleaner coastlines and a cleaner environment for future generations. 

Learn more about plastics or visit our "Too Valuable to Waste" recycling blog.