LEGISLATION
Because plastic pollution has become so ubiquitous and so ingrained in the world's economy, the only way to create a solution to plastic pollution is through legislation and regulation.
In February 2022, Oceana released a nationwide poll conducted by Ipsos that found that 81% of American voters support local, state and national policies that reduce single-use plastic. A global poll conducted by Ipsos found that about 75% of people worldwide want single-use plastics banned. Santa Fe County Commissioners Enact Ordinance Limiting Single-Use Plastics
On March 26, 2014, Santa Fe County Commissioners unanimously passed the “Single-Use Plastic Product Ordinance,” effective October 2024. Single-use plastic bags and styrofoam containers will no longer be offered by retail establishments, with the exception that some restaurants may use their discretion for take-out foods with high liquid content. Paper bags may be offered for a fee set by the merchant. Plastic straws, utensils and condiment packets will be given upon request only, with an exception for establishments providing food both on-site or off-site with self-service stations in house. The ordinance applies to the County only. Two members of Beyond Plastics Santa Fe served on the yearlong committee to provide guidance to County Commissioners on possible inclusions, based on reviews of actions taken in cities and states around the nation. At the hearing, a few County Commissioners wondered why only plastic bags and styrofoam containers were singled out, and expressed concern about the widespread use of non-recyclable plastic packaging, with an eye towards exploring extended producer responsibility at the state level. We need your help to encourage the City of Santa Fe to follow Santa Fe County's example!
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Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act (BFFPPA)
Summary of BFFPPA State of New Mexico Plastic-Bag-Ban Bill (2023 legislative session, not passed) SB 243. RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT; ENACTING THE PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION ACT; PROHIBITING RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS, RESTAURANTS AND ENTITIES THAT DELIVER GOODS FROM MAKING AVAILABLE OR DELIVERING GOODS IN SINGLE-USE PLASTIC CHECKOUT BAGS; PROVIDING A PENALTY. Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution Take Action and Action Tools New Mexico Congressional Representatives Email contact is made through their websites. Phone numbers are listed on websites. U.S Senators Martin Heinrich Senator Ben Ray Lujan U.S. Representatives District 1 -- Melanie Stansbury District 2 — Gabriel (Gabe) Vasquez District 3 — Teresa Leger Fernandez |