Kamala Harris plastic pollution
Credit: Divya777/BigStock Photo ID: 382853195

A Harris presidency could tackle plastic pollution

A Harris administration could make significant strides against plastic pollution, leveraging her background as California’s attorney general and her support for federal legislation aimed at reducing plastic waste.

Joseph Winters reports for Grist.


In short:

  • Kamala Harris has a strong environmental record, including co-sponsoring the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020.
  • As vice president, she supported initiatives to eliminate single-use plastics from federal operations.
  • Harris' potential presidency could continue efforts to address plastic pollution, holding polluters accountable and supporting international treaties.

Key quote: 

“Harris is at least competent and a true public servant, and she believes in international diplomacy and tackling global problems. I can’t say the same for Trump.”

— Julie Teel Simmonds, senior attorney, Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund

Why this matters: 

With her track record as a tough-on-corporate-crime prosecutor and a staunch environmental advocate, Harris brings the chops needed to tackle the plastics crisis head-on. Read more: Biden administration unveils plan to wean US government off single-use plastics.

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