Volunteers take part in Ocean Conservancy's 2020 International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Plastics Policy

Work > Ending Ocean Plastics > Plastics Policy

To protect our ocean, we must prevent plastics from becoming pollution in the first place.

Ocean Conservancy works to advance bold, evidence-based policies that reduce plastic pollution at the source for a healthier ocean and thriving planet. Together with partners, policymakers and advocates like you, we’re tackling the plastics crisis head-on. Our policies focus on eliminating the most highly polluting plastics in our ocean, like single-use packaging and microplastics, to deliver immediate impacts on the health of our ocean today. At the same time, we’re driving comprehensive solutions to reduce the production and reliance on single-use plastics, safeguarding our ocean into the future. We build the tools, partnerships, and power necessary to deliver progress for our ocean. Join us in driving systemic change to protect our ocean for generations to come.

Microplastic Fibers

Microplastic fiber pollution is an invisible threat in nearly every load of laundry. A single load can release up to 18 million microplastic fibers, many of which make their way into our ocean. Fortunately, the solution already exists.

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Resources for Advancing Plastics Policy Solutions

Explore the resources below to support evidence-based policies to prevent plastic pollution. Jump to a topic below to learn more.

Basics

Collective Currents: Global Solutions to End Ocean Plastics

Report from Ocean Conservancy unites zero waste systems, extended producer responsibility and community action to turn the tide on ocean plastics

Plastics Policy 101

A primer on the plastic pollution crisis and science-based policy solutions.

United States of Plastics Report

The first-of-its-kind report on how all 50 states and Washington, D.C. are tackling plastic pollution. Learn where your state stands.

Plastics & Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs)

A primer on how life cycle assessments (LCAs) work and where they fall short for plastics.

Microplastics

Microplastic Fibers

Learn more about what microfibers are, how they are created and, most importantly, how to keep them from entering our ocean.

Fibers to Filters

A guide to readily accessible solutions to tackle a major source of microplastic pollution.

Microplastics Research

Learn more about the Ocean Conservancy’s research on microplastics including in commonly consumed foods.

Watch Ocean Conservancy's Instagram Live

Dr. Britta Baechler and Dr. Anja Brandon break down the massive problem of microfibers and microplastics

FILTER Act

Model state legislation to reduce microplastic fiber pollution from washing machines.

Single-Use Plastics

Hotel Single-Use Plastic Reduction Act

Model state legislation to reduce waste and pollution from single-use plastics in hotels.

Balloon Pollution Prevention Act

Model state legislation developed in partnership with Surfrider to prohibit intentional releases of balloons into the environment, one of the most harmful types of plastic pollution.

What the Foam?!

A primer on how to keep plastic foam foodware out of our ocean.

Foam Model Legislation

Model state legislation to ban the most common types of single-use plastic foam: foodware, coolers and loose fill (also known as “packaging peanuts”).

Charting a Course to Plastic Free Beaches

This charter provides the tools and guidance needed to meet the goal of plastic-free beaches based on 35-years of data.

Reuse & Recycling

Beverage Container Pollution Prevention Research Act

Model state legislation developed in partnership with Upstream to conduct a study on whether implementing a beverage container deposit system (also known as recycling refund or bottle bill program) would further reduce pollution and increase reuse and recycling rates.

Comprehensive Extended Producer Responsibility

Ocean Conservancy’s toolkit and model legislation for comprehensive state EPR legislation.

Recommendations for Recycled Content for Plastic Goods and Packaging

Learn more about how increasing recycled content use can drive better environmental outcomes.

Chemical Recycling

Learn more about the process of chemical recycling and its impact on our ocean.

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