Contact Us About the Sustainable Management of Plastics

Please review the below answers to some of the most common questions. If your question is not answered to your satisfaction, please use the contact us box at the bottom of the page. We strive to respond to every question with a complete and timely answer.

A few helpful hints:

• Are you a member of the media? Please contact EPA’s Office of Media Relations at press@epa.gov.
• I am wondering where to recycle something.
• Review frequently asked questions for specific programs or topics.

Got Questions About…  

The “National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution.” 

• The “National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution,” builds upon EPA’s "National Recycling Strategy" and focuses on actions to reduce, reuse, collect, and capture plastic waste. New and innovative approaches are necessary to reduce and recover plastic materials and improve economic, social, and environmental impacts. With input from organizations, EPA identified six main objectives that address plastic pollution throughout the lifecycle of plastic products:
  • Reduce Pollution from Plastic Production.
  • Innovate Material and Product Design.
  • Decrease Waste Generation.
  • Improve Waste Management.
  • Improve Capture and Removal of Plastic Pollution.
  • Minimize Loadings and Impacts to Waterways and the Ocean.

Read more information about this strategy on our website.

Whether All Plastics Must Have Resin Identification Codes.

• In the United States, state and local governments determine approaches to waste management. Some states require the resin identification code (the number within the triangle) to be put on plastic containers while others do not. These codes can help you determine if the container can be accepted by your local recycling program. While the resin number is contained in a triangle similarly to the recycling symbol, this does not necessarily mean the plastic can be collected for recycling in your community. Check your local recycling rules.

Recycling Plastic Bags.

• Bring them to a bag collection bin at a dedicated retailer, authorized recycler, or nearby store that collects them for recycling.
• Do not put plastic bags in your household trash or recycling bag, as they can clog the machines and harm the environment. Do not bag your recycling.

Banning Plastic Bags in Your City, Town, or State. 

• U.S. EPA cannot help with your local policies. We implement laws passed by the U.S. Congress. If you are interested in material or product bans, please engage your local or state representatives to voice your concerns.

Solid Waste Management (Plastic Bottles, Plastic Bags, Etc.).

• In the United States, state and local governments generally make decisions about how to manage municipal solid waste (like plastic bags and plastic bottles). State and local governments determine what approaches to take for waste management within their communities. EPA encourages you to engage with local or state government representatives about solid waste management.

Plastic Pollution.

• EPA is working to address plastic pollution throughout the whole lifecycle of plastics across the agency from research to pollution prevention. For more information on plastics and EPA’s strategy to address plastic pollution, refer to the "National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution."

Check Out Our Related FAQ Webpages  

• Circular Economy Strategy for All Series.
• Facts and Figures about Materials, Waste and Recycling.
• Sustainable Management of Electronics.
• Sustainable Management of Food.
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
• Waste Reduction Model for Tracking Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Associated with Waste Reduction.

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