What They Are Saying | Save Our Seas 2.0 Act
WASHINGTON, DC – Last month, Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) launched the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act to address plastics and trash entering the ocean that harm fisheries and marine life, litter shorelines, and threaten the livelihood of coastal communities.
Below are stakeholder reactions and news coverage for the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act:
E&E News: “Senate 'odd couple' returns, this time in search of a genius.”
Kodiak Daily Mirror: “Sullivan launches new bipartisan effort to clean up oceans”
Ocean Conservancy:
“Ocean Conservancy strongly supports Save Our Seas Act 2.0, which rightly recognizes that there is no single solution to the ocean plastic crisis, and that it will take a concerted global effort to address this challenge,” said the Ocean Conservancy. “We are pleased that in addition to considering plastic reduction policies, the bill proposes improvements to both domestic and international waste management and recycling systems. Every country, including the U.S., can do more to prevent plastic from entering the ocean. We are also pleased that the bill prioritizes research initiatives to better understand the problem of ocean plastic and what interventions would be most effective … We congratulate Senators Sullivan, Whitehouse and Menendez for their leadership and, building on the momentum of the first Save Our Seas Act, for delivering this important bill. We look forward to working with them and other ocean allies in Congress over the coming months to strengthen it further.”
“Save Our Seas Act 2.0 builds on the original legislation in substantial ways … SOS Act 2.0 proposes a variety of new measures to bolster international engagement and cooperation to research and address the marine debris crisis,” said Jeff Waters with the Ocean Conservancy’s Ocean Currents blog. “It commits resources to scientific research to better understand and address the root causes of plastic pollution, both here in the U.S. and around the world. The bill also proposes a host of new efforts here at home to improve our waste management system, particularly our recycling infrastructure. For example, the bill creates a loan program for states to support trash wheel and litter trap technologies.”
American Chemistry Council:
“We are excited to work with Congress toward the passage of this important and much needed legislation,” said Steve Russell, vice president of the American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division. “America’s plastic makers strongly support the bill’s focus on developing ways to repurpose our plastic resources. And we welcome new opportunities to work with other governments to increase knowledge sharing and improve plastic waste management and recycling infrastructure.”
Conservation International:
“The Save our Seas Act 2.0 is a welcome bipartisan effort to confront the marine debris crisis through alignment and innovation,” said James Roth, Conservation International’s senior vice president for global policy and government relations. “It establishes funding for cleanup response, innovation for a circular economy, enables smarter disposal, and prioritizes marine pollution in future international negotiations. For the life-essential benefits of healthy oceans, including breathable air and a stable climate, this is a welcome demonstration in US leadership.”
Dow Chemical:
“Save our Seas Act 2.0 builds on the industry’s commitment to reducing the amount of plastic that ends up in the environment,” Dow Chemical’s public policy team Tweeted. “The bill will help develop new & innovative end-use markets for recycled plastic, spur product innovations, & ultimately lead us to a more circular economy.”
Plastics Industry Association:
“Plastics is proud to support SOS 2.0, which will build upon the progress the industry is making to address marine debris across the world,” says Patty Long, interim president and CEO of Plastics. “New proposals like the Marine Debris Response Trust Fund as well as more research to understand the root causes of this global issue and federal support for improving water and waste management infrastructure are all critical to any effort to comprehensively address the threat marine debris poses to our oceans and waterways.”
“PLASTICS is proud to support Save Our Seas 2.0, legislation that will address and find solutions to marine debris,” the Plastics Industry Association Tweeted. “The plastics industry strives to improve plastics recovery so plastic does not end up in the ocean.”
World Wildlife Foundation:
“Our oceans are saturated with plastic waste,” the World Wildlife Foundation Action Team Tweeted. “If passed, Save Our Seas 2.0 would work to reduce plastic in nature by driving new ways to manage waste & expand recycling efforts. Thank you @SenDanSullivan @SenWhitehouse &@SenatorMenendez for introducing this important legislation.”
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