Stop Single-Use Plastic Before Florida’s Wildlife Is Gone Forever

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Sponsor: Free The Ocean

Florida’s wildlife is suffocating under a tide of plastic waste—if we don’t act now, our ecosystems and future generations will pay the price.

Stop Single-Use Plastic Before Florida’s Wildlife Is Gone Forever

Every year, billions of single-use plastics, such as plastic bags and polystyrene products, are discarded across Florida’s beaches, parks, and waterways. These items, designed for one-time use, linger in our environment for centuries, causing significant harm to wildlife, our health, and the economy1.

The Scale of the Problem

Approximately one million plastic bottles are bought every minute worldwide, and up to five trillion plastic bags are used annually. Yet half of all plastic produced is designed for single-use purposes and discarded after just one use. Plastics are so widespread that they are found in the oceans, on beaches, and even in the food we consume. They do not biodegrade, but instead break into microplastics, causing long-lasting damage to ecosystems across Florida.

In Florida, plastic pollution is already harming marine life and wildlife. Plastic debris causes severe injury and death to animals that mistake it for food or become entangled in it. The chemicals in plastics also leach into our environment, contributing to broader health risks, including infertility and cancer in humans2.

Local Action is Key

While the state of Florida has taken some steps to address plastic pollution, local governments are best positioned to address the unique environmental needs of their communities. However, state preemption laws prevent local leaders from making decisions about regulating disposable plastics such as bags and polystyrene products.

State Senator Linda Stewart introduced legislation, SB 498, to remove this preemption and allow local governments to pass laws banning or regulating these harmful products3. Unfortunately, this important bill died in committee. But it’s not too late. We can still take action to give local governments the power to protect our environment.

The Impact of Local Regulations

Allowing cities and counties to regulate single-use plastics would give them the flexibility they need to protect their unique ecosystems, reduce plastic waste, and safeguard Florida’s natural beauty. Communities from Miami to Gainesville have shown that local action can drive real change. Banning plastic bags and polystyrene products reduces litter, prevents wildlife harm, and improves the overall quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

Why It Matters

Plastic pollution is a growing issue that affects everyone. If we continue on this path, Florida’s environment and economy will suffer. The tourism industry alone, which contributes $112 billion to Florida’s economy, is already feeling the impact of plastic waste. Studies have shown that eliminating plastic trash from Florida’s beaches and waterways could increase tourism revenue by over $7 billion annually 4.

Take Action Now

The time to act is now. We need to remove the preemption on local plastic regulations to protect Florida’s environment, wildlife, and future generations. Please add your voice to this cause by signing the petition today.

Sign the petition and ask Florida legislators remove the state’s preemption on local plastic regulations and give communities the power to protect their environment.

More on this issue:

  1. UNEP, United Nations (2025), "Beat Plastic Pollution."
  2. Veena Singla, National Defense Resources Council (October 2023), "Worst of the Worst: Plastic Waste."
  3. Linda Stewart, The Florida Senate (D M Y), "SB 498: Preemption of Recyclable and Polystyrene Materials."
  4. Taina Adam, Amanda Di Perna, Darleng Egea, Olivia Guthrie, Michael Perez, Gray Read, PhD, Philip Stoddard, PhD, Florida International University, "Executive Summary on Plastics."

The Petition

To the Florida Senate, the Florida House of Representatives, and Governor of Florida,

We, the undersigned, call upon you to urgently remove the preemption of local laws regarding the regulation of disposable plastic bags and polystyrene products.

Single-use plastics, such as plastic bags and polystyrene, have a devastating impact on our environment and wildlife. According to the United Nations, over one million plastic bottles are purchased every minute, and up to five trillion plastic bags are used globally each year. These plastics take hundreds of years to degrade, filling our oceans, rivers, and parks, and leading to countless injuries and deaths of marine life and wildlife. Additionally, studies from the National Defense Resources Council have linked plastic pollution to harmful human health issues, including infertility and cancer.

Local control over this matter is essential because different areas of Florida face unique environmental challenges. Local governments are best suited to implement solutions that address their specific concerns and protect the health of their residents and ecosystems.

We urge you to act in support of environmental conservation, public health, and the preservation of Florida's natural beauty. By empowering local governments to regulate disposable plastic bags and polystyrene, we can take meaningful steps toward reducing plastic pollution and ensuring a healthier future for all Floridians.

Let us work together to secure a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future for our state. Removing this preemption is a critical step in that direction.

Thank you for your attention to this pressing issue.

Sincerely,

DEV MODE ACTIVE. BRAND: gg