A bill to prohibit the sale of plastics beverage containers containing specified toxic chemicals and dyes, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), has returned to the US Senate.
The Banning Toxics from Plastic Bottles Act was reintroduced on 25 September by senator Peter Welch of Vermont, alongside senators Jeff Merkley, Cory Booker, Chris Van Hollen and Bernie Sanders.
The proposed legislation would prohibit the sale of plastics beverage containers containing chemicals and dyes linked to adverse health and environmental impacts. Retailers that sell products covered by the restrictions would be subject to fines for each product line sold in violation.
Pollution remediation
The bill would also establish a grant fund through the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for local waste management and water infrastructure facilities. The EPA would be required to prioritise rural and historically underserved communities when awarding pollution remediation and restoration grants.
The bill follows measures introduced in Vermont restricting PFAS and other chemicals in various products. Vermont has regulated PFAS in drinking water since 2019 and in 2023 introduced restrictions on products including food packaging, cosmetics, clothing, and ski wax where PFAS are intentionally added.
Senator Cory Booker said the legislation would “get several dangerous substances out of the plastics we drink from and protect the health of our families”.
International Coastal Cleanup report
Dr Anja Brandon, Ocean Conservancy’s director of plastics policy, said the proposed legislation would “eliminate harmful chemicals from plastics beverage containers to help protect our health, the environment, and the ocean”.
Ocean Conservancy’s latest International Coastal Cleanup report recorded more than 1.3 million plastics bottles collected by volunteers from beaches and waterways worldwide last year, with bottles the most commonly collected item.
Nearly 900,000 bottle caps were also collected, ranking third.
The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation following its introduction.
