Oregon Takes a Step Closer to Eliminating One-Use Plastic Products

Written testimony in support of Senate Bill 551 closed on Friday as Oregon took a step closer to eliminating single-use plastic that is polluting the environment faster than the ability to deal with it.

Plastic is Choking Oceans and Damaging Ecosystems

Wednesday was the first hearing of the Bill in the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment and it offers a three-pronged approach to dealing with the ‘ballooning’ problem, according to the advocacy group, Environment America.

The organization contends that more than a garbage truck of polluting plastic is dumped into oceans every minute, endangering public health and damaging ecosystems.

Senate Bill Adopts Three-Pronged Approach to Solving the Problem

The three-pronged approach adopted by Senate Bill 551 is:

• Add condiments and utensils to the existing ‘straws upon request’ law from 1 July 2026.
• Eliminate plastic film bags at restaurant and grocery checkout points from 1 January 2027.
• Phase out single-use plastic toiletries at lodging establishments with more than 50 rooms from 1 January 2027, and at all lodgings from 1 January 2028.

The state director of Environment Oregon, Celeste Meiffren-Swango, told the Energy and Environment committee that plastic pollution and the increasing production of disposable plastic products is ‘outpacing our ability to deal with them.’

She urged the committee to support the Bill that prioritizes one-use plastic products that are not accepted in Oregon for curbside recycling.

Single-Use Plastic Products Become Trash Moments After Use

Brenna Stevens, a campaign associate with another advocacy group, OSPIRG, said single-use plastic products were destined to become trash moments after use, and that Oregonians could and should live without them.

Stevens told the committee that nothing used for ‘one shopping trip or one meal or one shower’ should add to growing landfills, litter streets, clutter cabinets, and pollute the environment for future generations.

Takeaway

Oregon’s “straw upon request” law (Senate Bill 90) prohibits restaurants and convenience stores from distributing single-use plastic straws unless customers request them. The law became effective on 1 January 2020.