National Parks Say Good-Bye to Single-Use Plastics

Single-use plastics will gradually be phased out from all national parks across the United States for the sake of the planet, an important decision to save ecosystems, improve the human experience and halt climate change.

“The Interior Department has an obligation to play a leading role in reducing the impact of plastic waste on our ecosystems and our climate,” states Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. “As the steward of the nation’s public lands, including national parks and national wildlife refuges, and as the agency responsible for the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats, we are uniquely positioned to do better for our Earth.”

Single-use plastics will be completely phased out by 2032 as they won’t be kept nor sold on national parkland or national park facilities. This includes food and beverage containers, bottles, straws, cups, eating utensils, and plastic bags. Since recycling isn’t enough to curb the amount of plastic waste produced on a daily basis, the decision to ban single-use plastic was an obvious one that could curb “millions of pounds of unnecessary disposable plastic in our national parks and other public lands,” according to marine conservation organization Oceana. Today, plastic-free alternatives – reusable water bottles, straws, cutlery, and plates – are easily found.