Plastic use is ubiquitous in modern life, but so is the associated pollution—which impact human health, the environment, climate change, and more. ELI is working to address these problems by identifying actionable law and policy tools that can be used to regulate plastic at every stage of its life cycle and convening stakeholders to prioritize and advance these solutions.
This brief summarizes Existing U.S. Federal Authorities to Address Plastic Pollution: A Synopsis for Decision Makers, a report which identifies federal authorities—spanning executive orders, legislation, regulations, and associated programs—that can be used to address plastic pollution through interventions identified across the plastic life cycle.
The report provides a comprehensive overview of the existing legal authorities the U.S. federal government can leverage to achieve the national goal of eliminating plastic release into the environment by 2040 while safeguarding human health and the environment. Building on the legal framework established by a Congressionally-mandated report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, the report categorizes federal authorities—spanning executive orders, legislation, regulations, and associated programs—into specific "intervention areas" across the plastic life cycle.
Citation: New Orleans, Louisiana Code of Ordinances Sec. 26-17 (Section 154)
Citation: N.Y.C. Local Law No. 77 (codified at N.Y.C. Admin. Code 28-317.1—28-317.7 and 17-194.1); 24 Rules of the City of New York (RCNY) 8-01—8-09
Available:
Local Law: http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/pdf/ll77of2015.pdf
Citation: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services - Survey & Certification Memorandum 17-30-Hospitals/CAHs/NHs (2017; rev. 7/6/2018)
Citation: U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration - Directive 1061 (2/16/2021)
