The evidence is clear: 

● Plastic is toxic and polluting at every stage of its lifecycle – from extraction and  manufacturing, to use, recycling, and disposal. 

● Despite decades of investment in recycling infrastructure, very little plastic – between 5-6% in the United States – has been recycled, and plastic recycling does  little to support broader environmental protection goals. 

● Nearly 40% of the plastic produced annually is for single-use plastics and packaging. ● Many single-use plastics are unnecessary and can be eliminated. 

● Safe and reusable alternatives to single-use plastics exist.

Accordingly, Plastic Free Mass supports legislation, policies, and programs that:

(1) phase  out and avoid the production and use of any unnecessary single-use plastics

(2) reduce  and eliminate plastic whenever possible

(3) modernize our state’s beverage container  deposit system to include refill targets, and

(4) promote sustainable reuse.