The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Michael Neuwirth
(202) 660-1455
mneuwirth@asbcouncil.org

Sen. Jeff Merkley, Rep. Alan Lowenthal Join Environmental Advocates to Discuss the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act

Re-Introduction of Bill Addresses Urgent Need to Curb Plastic Pollution and Fix Broken Waste Management System

WASHINGTON

On Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 1:30 pm ET, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) will join environmental advocates from to discuss the reintroduction of the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, the urgent need to fix the United States' broken waste management system, and how plastic pollution and waste disproportionately impacts low-income communities and communities of color.

RSVP: bit.ly/plasticpollutionmedia

SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
* Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
* Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA)
* Mariana Del Valle Prieto Cervantes (GreenLatinos)
* Judith Enck (Beyond Plastics)
* Alex Truelove (U.S. PIRG)
* Yinka Bode-George (National Caucus of Environmental Legislators)
* Scott Cassel (Product Stewardship Institute)
* Carroll Muffett (Center for International Environmental Law)
* Yvette Arrellano (Fenceline Watch)

The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act (BFFPPA) is the most comprehensive bill ever introduced in Congress to address the plastic crisis. The BFFPPA builds upon state and local laws across the country, outlining plastic reduction strategies to improve the health of people and the planet. It would (1) reduce plastic production before it ever has a chance to pollute, (2) increase recycling rates, and (3) protect frontline and fenceline communities from the burden of plastic waste.

If you are interested in a fact sheet on the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, please email BFFP US Communications Director, Brett Nadrich, to request a copy: brett@breakfreefromplastic.org

Please register in advance, or join the virtual news conference when it begins here: bit.ly/plasticpollutionmedia

Convening Organizations: Algalita, American Sustainable Business Council, Beyond Plastics, Buckeye Environmental Network, Breathe Free Detroit, Cafeteria Culture, Center for International Environmental Law, Center for Biological Diversity, Clean Air Council, Environment America, Fenceline Watch, GreenLatinos, Greenpeace, Lost Art of Love Letters, Oceana, Peak Plastic Foundation, Plastic Pollution Coalition, Ohio Poor's People Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, Surfrider Foundation, Texas Campaign for the Environment, The Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research, and Education, UPSTREAM, U.S. PIRG, Zero Waste Washington, 5 Gyres.

About Break Free From Plastic:
The #breakfreefromplastic movement is a global movement envisioning a future free from plastic pollution. Since its launch in 2016, more than 11,000 organizations and individual supporters from across the world have joined the movement to demand massive reductions in single-use plastics and to push for lasting solutions to the plastic pollution crisis. BFFP member organizations and individuals share the common values of environmental protection and social justice, and work together through a holistic approach in order to bring about systemic change under the #breakfreefromplastic core pillars. This means tackling plastic pollution across the whole plastics value chain - from extraction to disposal - focusing on prevention rather than cure and providing effective solutions.

The American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) advocates for policy change and informs business owners, policymakers and the public about the need and opportunities for building a vibrant, broadly prosperous, sustainable economy. Founded in 2009, its membership represents over 250,000 businesses in a wide range of industries.

(202) 660-1455