Ending plastic pollution will require a collective national effort in which every state has a critical role to play to match the urgency of this crisis. Ocean Conservancy’s “United States of Plastics” report offers a tool for advocates and decisionmakers in each state to assess their progress against plastic pollution and identify opportunities for local action. 

A study by Ocean Conservancy in 2024 found that nearly 80% of Americans consider plastic pollution to be the most pressing problem for the health of our ocean. While states have proven to be leaders in passing laws to reduce plastic pollution, the results of our study find that there is a clear need for increased action to address the plastic pollution crisis with the urgency it demands.

The United States is the number one generator of plastic waste worldwide and a major producer of virgin plastic. It also has the opportunity and responsibility to play a leading role in solving this crisis. Within the U.S., states have been and will continue to be the leaders in environmental conservation, including tackling plastic pollution. While no two states are identical in their approach, there are tried and tested policies developed around the country that can significantly reduce plastic pollution.

The “United States of Plastics” report analyzes laws to address plastic pollution in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. and assigns a score to each on a five-point scale.

Progress to date:

• 14 states have phased out single-use expanded polystyrene (colloquially called “Styrofoam” or plastic foam) foodware.
• 12 states have phased out single-use plastic bags. 
• 11 states have laws supporting funding for reuse and reduction programs.
• Six states have laws supporting research and future action on microplastics. 
• Since 2022, seven states have passed extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws for packaging. EPR laws hold plastics producers financially accountable for costs associated with the full lifecycle of their products. Approximately 20% of Americans live in states that have passed an EPR for packaging law.
• Nearly 27% of the U.S. population is covered by a deposit return system for beverage containers. Despite representing just over a quarter of the country, these programs are responsible for more than 50% of aluminum can and glass bottle recycling and more than 60% of all PET bottles recycled in the U.S.

Need for increased action:

• A study by Ocean Conservancy in 2024 found that the most widely adopted action people take to reduce their plastic footprint is ensuring they are properly recycling plastics. However, these findings stand in stark contrast to the less than 9% plastic recycling rate in the U.S. Often, the items that we think we are recycling end up in a landfill because they’re not recyclable in the first place. This highlights the challenges currently limiting our recycling system, such as lack of design standards and insufficient infrastructure. 
• Although recently passed EPR laws provide an opportunity to increase recycling rates, these laws need to be effectively implemented and additional states should consider developing their own programs. 
• Action is most needed to support reuse systems and to address microplastic pollution: 
  • No states have passed laws requiring reusables for dine-in settings, an important opportunity to reduce single-use plastics and increase education on reusables in a closed system.
  • No states have passed laws requiring microfiber filtration in washing machines, which would significantly reduce microfiber pollution—the most common type of microplastic pollution in the environment. 
  • Only one state has a law regulating pollution from pre-production plastic pellets (nurdles), which have been found along U.S. coastlines since the 1990s. Read the report to learn which one!

• Nearly half of U.S. states have passed laws that could hinder further progress on reducing plastic pollution, whether by limiting the ability of local governments to regulate single-use plastics, supporting harmful chemical recycling or both. However, there are opportunities for progress in those states by reversing these policies or developing proactive state-level policies.  
• While many states have taken action to reduce waste from problematic single-use plastics like plastic foam foodware or single-use plastic bags, there are still opportunities for those states to take action to promote reuse, address microplastics or improve producer accountability. 

Take action:

Momentum is growing across the country for action on plastic pollution. Are you ready to take action in your state? Join Ocean Conservancy in the fight to end plastic pollution.