The U.S. Senate recently approved a sweeping bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) that would improve the nation’s efforts to combat marine debris.
The Senate advanced the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, S. 1982, which Sen. Collins cosponsored in June 2019 with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and 18 other cosponsors including U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) to fight global plastic waste by spurring innovation and finding uses for existing plastic waste before it enters the oceans, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Collins’ office.
“The Save Our Seas 2.0 Act would help accelerate the removal of plastic waste and prevent future marine debris, protecting our oceans and the sea life that inhabits it for generations to come,” Sen. Collins said.
The legislation builds on the initial progress made by the Save Our Seas Act, which was signed into law in 2018.
“Countless jobs in Maine and in coastal communities across our country rely on the health of the ocean,” said Sen. Collins. “The Maine lobster, fishing 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 plastic waste from land enters the oceans each year, according to the senator’s office, with 90 percent of this plastic coming from 10 rivers, eight of them located in Asia.
If enacted, S. 1982 among numerous provisions, would establish a Marine Debris Response Trust Fund to provide resources to respond to marine debris events; direct the executive branch to maintain international leadership on marine debris and provide enhanced support for plastic waste mitigation; invest in improved domestic waste infrastructure through grants and a new state revolving loan fund; and assess barriers to improving recycling and repurposing of plastic waste, according to a one-page bill summary.
The U.S. House of Representatives on Jan. 13 received the bill and has referred it to several committees for consideration.