Collins’ bipartisan bill to globally tackle marine debris poised to become law

The Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, which U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) helped introduce last year to improve efforts around combating marine debris, is heading to President Donald Trump to be signed into law.

“I look forward to seeing this legislation become law, which will help to accelerate the removal of plastic waste and prevent future marine debris, protecting this vital resource for generations to come,” Sen. Collins said on Dec. 3.

Sen. Collins introduced S. 1982 in June 2019 with U.S. Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). The measure would tackle plastic waste on a global scale by spurring innovation and finding uses for the plastic waste that already exists to keep it from entering the oceans, according to a bill summary provided by her office.

The legislation builds on the initial progress made by the October 2018 law Save Our Seas Act.

The U.S. Senate on Jan. 9 approved S. 1982 and the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill on Oct. 1. The same-named H.R. 3969 was introduced last year by U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR). 

“Countless jobs in Maine and in coastal communities across our country rely on the health of the ocean,” said Sen. Collins. “The Maine lobster, aquaculture and tourism industries are among the many critical sectors of our economy that are dependent on Maine’s pristine waters.”

Roughly eight million metric tons of mismanaged plastic waste from land enters the oceans each year, according to the senator’s office, with 90 percent of the plastic entering the oceans from 10 rivers, eight of which are in Asia.