On Wednesday a bipartisan group of Senators introduced S. 756, the “Saving Our Seas Act,” to reauthorize the NOAA Marine Debris Program and promote international action to reduce marine debris. One of the important features of this bill is increased investment and technical assistance to help expand waste management systems in rapidly developing countries.

Robust waste management systems could help these countries recover a wide range of materials, including plastic packaging. By recycling plastic packaging or converting it into energy through innovative technologies, we keep plastics out of landfills and out of our waterways. ACC supports this bill and looks forward to continuing to work with stakeholders such as NOAA to improve waste management practices to address marine debris.

For more info, check out our statement on the introduction of this legislation, from ACC’s Cal Dooley.