U.S. Voters Support Policies That Reduce Single-Use Plastics
Oceana releases new poll, calls on lawmakers to address problematic plastics like plastic foam
Press Release Date: February 6, 2025
Location: Washington, D.C.
Contact:
Ariana Miller, Megan Jordan | email: amiller@oceana.org, mjordan@oceana.org | tel: Ariana Miller, 202.868.4061
Today, Oceana released the results of a new nationwide poll revealing that an overwhelming majority of U.S. voters support policies that reduce single-use plastics. Overall, 78% of U.S. voters support national policies that reduce single-use plastic foam. The national online poll, conducted for Oceana by the nonpartisan polling company Ipsos using the probability-based KnowledgePanel®, surveyed 1,111 registered U.S. voters from December 13 to 15, 2024.
Eight in 10 registered voters report concern about plastic pollution, with widespread bipartisan support for reducing the amount of plastic produced and requiring companies to reduce single-use plastic packaging and foodware, such as beverage bottles, grocery bags, and foam food containers.
“The results are clear: U.S. voters are united in their concern about plastic pollution and the need for strong policies to address it. Lawmakers must take action to reduce the amount of plastic being produced and move from throwaway plastic to refillable and reusable systems,” said Christy Leavitt, Oceana’s plastics campaign director. “Single-use plastic is harming our oceans, health, and communities. Policies to reduce single-use plastic items, like plastic foam foodware and takeout containers, have overwhelming support from American voters. It’s time for our federal and state leaders to reduce plastic pollution at the source.”
Some key findings from registered voters polled include:
- 81% of U.S. voters support reducing the amount of plastic that is produced.
- 80% of U.S. voters support state and local policies that reduce single-use plastic foam.
- 85% of U.S. voters support increasing the use of reusable packaging and foodware.
- 80% of U.S. voters support requiring companies to reduce single-use plastic packaging and foodware.
- 82% of U.S. voters support protecting people in neighborhoods that are affected by pollution from nearby plastic production facilities.
- 82% of U.S. voters support reducing the amount of single-use plastic state and federal governments buy and use.
Plastic foam, formally known as expanded polystyrene, is made from fossil fuels and is frequently used for takeout food containers and packaging materials, like packing peanuts. Plastic foam is light weight and brittle, breaking up into small pieces that are difficult to clean up and spread easily in air and water. One of the most common plastics found polluting our beaches and waterways, plastic foam can also harm ocean wildlife, as sea turtles, seabirds, and other ocean animals mistake plastic foam for food. Styrene, the building block of plastic foam, is considered a probable carcinogen, and it has been found to leach out of plastic foam food containers, posing a threat to human health. So far, 12 states and hundreds of local governments have passed laws to phase out plastic foam products.
Background
Plastic has been found in every corner of the world and has turned up in drinking water, beer, salt, honey, and more. It’s also one of the greatest contributors to climate change. In fact, if plastic were a country, it would be the fourth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. With plastic production growing at a rapid rate, increased amounts of plastic can be expected to flood our blue planet with devastating consequences.
An Oceana report revealed evidence of nearly 1,800 animals from 40 different species swallowing or becoming entangled in plastic in U.S. waters between 2009 and early 2020. Of those animals, a staggering 88% were from species listed as endangered or threatened with extinction under the Endangered Species Act.
Less than 6% of plastic in the U.S. is recycled, yet the plastics industry continues to tout recycling as a panacea while pushing new plastic products onto the market. Companies need to dramatically reduce the production and use of unnecessary single-use plastic, provide plastic-free choices, and develop systems that refill and reuse packaging and foodware. Elected officials must enact policies to ensure they do so.
To learn more about Oceana’s campaign to stop plastic pollution, please visit usa.oceana.org/plastics
