Press Releases

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today chaired a House Interior Appropriations subcommittee hearing focused on marine debris and the impacts debris have on ecosystems and species in our oceans. Pingree currently serves as vice chair of the subcommittee, which is chaired by Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-Minn.).

“According to the United Nations, every minute, the equivalent of a garbage truck full of plastic is dumped into our ocean and that is more than eight million metric tons a year,” said Pingree in her opening statement. “Single use plastics are items we use once and throw away but then last for hundreds of years…sometimes thousands of years…We need to get back to basics and realize that these convenience plastics are costing our environment, our ecosystem and our oceans in particular…their lives. Today we are hosting this hearing, to talk more about the impacts and how agencies across the federal government can take this challenge head on.”

Pingree’s opening statement can be downloaded here, and questions asked in committee can be downloaded here and here. A complete video of the subcommittee hearing can be found here.

Plastics are a widespread environmental contaminant. More than 8 million tons of plastic are dumped in the ocean every year. Scientists are finding evidence of microplastic contamination on land, in freshwater, and in marine environments, with devastating consequences for both species and habitats. It is estimated that between 15 and 51 trillion microplastic particles are floating on the surface of our oceans.

Studies have reported entanglement or ingestion in more than 800 species of wildlife to date. Seabirds are particularly at risk of plastic consumption. Plastics, such as bottle caps, balloons, and lighters are easily confused for foods. A recent National Academy of Sciences study found that almost 60% of all studied species of seabirds have eaten plastic and predicts that by 2050, 99% of seabird species will ingest plastic.

The Maine coastline has seen a rise in shoreline marine debris which pose threats to the breeding birds that use the island for nesting. Cleanups held by the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex in past years have collected over 19,200 pounds of marine debris from a 0.66 mile section of shoreline.

Dr. Patricia Matrai, a senior research scientist for Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in Maine, offered testimony on the second panel of outside experts. Other organizations represented included the US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Geological Survey, and Oceana.

Pingree has a strong record in working to combat marine debris. She was an original cosponsor of the Save our Seas Act, which reauthorized the NOAA Marine Debris Program through FY2022 and provides resources to help states respond to severe marine debris events. She is also an original cosponsor of the Save our Seas 2.0 Act by Rep. Bonamici and Rep. Don Young, which bolsters the Marine Debris Program and establishes a Marine Debris Response Trust Fund to use in responding to marine debris events.

Pingree is also working to reduce food waste and food packaging waste. In the FY2020 Appropriations Bill, Pingree secured language encouraging composting, reducing waste, and adherence to the District of Columbia’s plastic straw ban for the Capitol Complex.

This press release is available online here.

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