Bill > S5163

This bill aims to protect communities from the harmful effects of plastics. Key provisions include: - Imposing a temporary pause on new permits for certain types of plastics facilities, with exceptions for recycling facilities. - Requiring new regulations to strengthen air and water pollution standards for plastics facilities, including measures to reduce emissions, leaks, and waste. - Establishing environmental justice requirements for permitting of plastics facilities, including conducting community impact assessments and requiring mitigation measures or permit denial if significant harms are found. - Requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct studies on the plastics industry, cumulative public health impacts, and microplastics, and to establish federal source reduction and reuse targets for single-use plastic packaging and food service ware. - Creating a grant program to support the expansion of reusable and refillable packaging systems. - Designating certain plastic waste as hazardous and restricting the siting of new plastics facilities near community buildings. The bill also includes provisions to reduce single-use plastics in agriculture, including through a new conservation program and grant funding.