Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution is a global problem that affects our natural world and its biodiversity.  It impacts our environment, health, food security, and economies.  An estimated 11 million metric tons of plastic enters the ocean each year. Often stemming from poor waste management, plastic pollution is a major environmental issue because most plastics do not biodegrade and instead break down into microplastics. Microplastics are estimated to persist in the environment for centuries, or even longer. 

We can combat plastic pollution through: 

At the United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA) in March 2022, the United States joined other countries in adopting a resolution on plastic pollution. The resolution launched a process to develop a new international agreement on plastic pollution, with the aim of concluding negotiations by the end of 2024. 

The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) established under this resolution has met to conduct its work over the course of five negotiating sessions, with INC-5.2 anticipated in mid- to late-2025. Learn more about the process.  

We have been engaging with a wide set of stakeholders, including industry leaders, environmental nongovernmental organizations, the scientific community, and state and local governments, as well as with Tribal nations, to take into account their perspectives in formulating our approach for a plastic pollution agreement. 

The State Department, through the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES), leads the negotiation process for the U.S. government toward a global agreement on plastic pollution. OES is coordinating with the U.S. interagency and consulting with industry leaders and NGO stakeholders and Tribal and subnational governments to leverage resources, craft innovative solutions, and drive domestic and international efforts to combat the plastic pollution problem.

Beyond the negotiations, the United States is spearheading the End Plastic Pollution International Collaborative (EPPIC), an international public-private partnership designed to drive collective action to reduce plastic pollution by utilizing scientific research and stakeholder engagement to inform policy, advance innovative circular solutions through commitments from the public and private sectors, and promote global collaboration through multistakeholder dialogues. EPPIC is administered and managed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Aspen Institute, and Searious Business. Launched in 2023, with an initial $14.5 million, now totaling $28 million after additional funding from the State Department, EPPIC builds on existing networks and initiatives amplifying actions and securing commitments from governments, corporations, and other relevant stakeholders. As part of its efforts, EPPIC launched a targeted grant program in Latin America and Africa, empowering local communities and organizations to combat plastic pollution. These grants support initiatives focused on various solutions that reflect a commitment to addressing the root causes of plastic pollution. Additionally, EPPIC’s Innovation Prize is designed to inspire groundbreaking solutions to tackle plastic pollution and promote plastic circularity in developing countries.

OES supported the development and implementation of National Marine Litter Action Plans in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Panama.  For example, OES supported pilot projects focused on solid waste management in remote communities, including assisting with the development of a marine waste management strategy for two national fishing sectors in Costa Rica.  EPA and OES also recently funded a small grants program in Central America and the Dominican Republic that supports community-led projects that improve solid waste management and address land-based sources of marine debris. 

In 2022, the State Department partnered with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and others to build capacity in key developing countries, including small island developing states in the Pacific and Caribbean, to participate in negotiations on a new global agreement on plastic pollution, establish national action plans to combat plastic pollution, and share information and good practices on waste management.  

Along the margins of INC-4 in Ottawa and INC-5 in Busan, UNEP hosted its coordination meetings for capacity development to catalyze actions and commitments at the national and global level to reduce plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. This work is linked to the efforts of the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML), including the GPML Digital Platform, which facilitates knowledge sharing and provides tools to support project activities.  The GPML Digital Platform seeks to facilitate knowledge exchange, foster coordination, and propel collective action by all the relevant stakeholders working to address plastic pollution. 

The State Department has also supported pilot projects under the Basel Convention Plastic Waste Partnership, provided seed funding for the Marine Debris Foundation, and contributed to action on plastic pollution through the World Bank Pro-Blue Fund. 

In the past, OES also has supported grants and cooperative agreements to support other initiatives that aim to reduce marine debris, including: the 5-Gyres Asia Pacific Action Against Plastic Pollution; All Hands on Deck – A Community-Based Marine Litter Reduction Programme; Building Ecosystems to Reduce Waste in Our Oceans – Ocean Plastic Prevention Incubators; Social Mobilization for Marine Waste Management in Vietnam; and Accelerating Efforts to Reduce Ocean Plastic in Vietnam. 

Further information on U.S. government action on plastic pollution can be found can be found on the following websites: