WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) led U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in introducing the Banning Toxics from Plastic Bottles Act, legislation to prohibit the sale of plastic beverage containers that contain toxic substances and dyes linked to adverse health and environmental impacts, including forever chemicals like Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS). The bill also creates a grant fund through the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would provide local waste management and water infrastructure facilities with resources to address plastic pollution. The bill requires the EPA to prioritize rural and historically underserved communities when issuing pollution remediation and restoration grants.“Big companies are producing more toxic chemicals, dyes, and non-recycled plastic than ever, prioritizing profits over Americans’ health and welfare. Our communities are left to clean up their toxic mess, an especially heavy burden for rural and lower income communities already overburdened by pollution,” said Senator Welch. “In Vermont, we’ve taken strong action to restrict the sale of products containing PFAS and harmful chemicals, because Vermonters shouldn’t have to shoulder companies’ environmental burdens. The Banning Toxics from Plastic Bottles Act follows Vermont’s lead and takes a major step forward to protect public health and the environment.”
“The plastics crisis is not only an environmental disaster but also a public health emergency that demands urgent action,” said Senator Merkley, who serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works subcommittee overseeing environmental justice and chemical safety. “Research continues to show us how the chemicals used in plastics are linked to negative health outcomes, including cancer. Transitioning away from toxic, single-use plastics with the Banning Toxics from Plastic Bottles Act is the bold action America needs to protect the health of current and future generations.”
“For years, I have fought to protect Americans from toxic chemicals that can linger in our bodies and cause lasting damage,” said Senator Booker. “It’s unacceptable that there are dangerous chemicals, like PFAS, in the plastics we use every day. This legislation will get several dangerous substances out of the plastics we drink from and protect the health of our families.”
“We cannot allow big corporations to continue to put profits over the health of the American people and of our planet. This important legislation puts an end to the use of toxic chemicals in plastic beverage containers that make people sick and hinder recycling efforts. It’s time we stop giving polluters a free ride and start protecting public health,” said Senator Van Hollen.
Forever chemicals such as PFAS threaten public health and disproportionately impact marginalized communities. PFAS chemicals are linked to kidney and liver cancers, thyroid disruption, and immune system weakening. Scientists have not identified any safe level of exposure for these forever chemicals, yet they are found in 45% of the tap water in the United States.
The State of Vermont has taken strong steps to protect people and the planet by prohibiting sale or use of harmful chemicals and toxins in food, drinking water, and various consumer products. Vermont has regulated PFAS and other harmful chemicals in drinking water since 2019, and in 2023 banned the manufacture and sale of food packages, cosmetics, clothing, ski wax, and other products that intentionally included PFAS.
The Banning Toxics from Plastic Bottles Act would follow Vermont’s example by prohibiting the sale of plastic beverage containers that contain toxic substances and dyes linked to adverse health and environmental impacts, including PFAS. Retailers that violate this provision would be fined for each product line sold in violation. These funds would be used to create a grant fund through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would provide local waste management and water infrastructure facilities with needed resources to address plastic pollution. The bill also requires the EPA to prioritize rural and historically underserved communities when issuing the grants.
Substances included in the Banning Toxics from Plastic Bottles Act list have been identified by the national expert group, the U.S. Plastics Pact Group, as problematic or unnecessary due to their harm to human and environmental health, a high likelihood of being littered, ability to be avoided or replaced by another substance, hinderance waste processing, or inability to be recyclable, reusable, or composted. Large food and beverage companies, waste processors, trade associations, and nonprofits are supporters of the U.S. Plastics Pact.
The Banning Toxics from Plastic Bottles Act is endorsed by Ocean Conservancy.
“Plastic bottles, like other single-use plastics, are made with a cocktail of harmful chemicals that can contaminate the beverages we drink and, if littered, can leach into the surrounding environment. In fact, last year plastic bottles were the number one most commonly found item polluting beaches and waterways worldwide by International Coastal Cleanup volunteers. The Banning Toxics in Plastic Bottles Act would eliminate these harmful chemicals from plastic beverage containers to help protect our health, the environment, and the ocean. We applaud Senator Welch for reintroducing this critical piece of legislation,” said Dr. Anja Brandon, Director, Plastics Policy, Ocean Conservancy.
Learn more about the Banning Toxics from Plastic Bottles Act.
Read and download the full text of the bill.
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