Representatives Michael Grieco and Anna V. Eskamani Re-File Legislation to Repeal Preemption on Single-Use Plastic Ban
HB 6043 Would Allow Local Governments to Regulate Plastic Usage
Tallahassee, FL — Representatives Michael Grieco and Anna V. Eskamani have re-filed legislation to remove Florda’s preemption on municipal governments that restricts their ability to ban single-use plastics, polystyrene and recyclable materials. HB6043 is the House companion to SB182.
Each year, an estimated 18 billion pounds of plastic waste enters the world’s ocean from coastal regions. In fact, between 60 to 90 percent of the litter that accumulates on shorelines, the surface, and the sea floor is made up of plastic.
The results are devastating: from coral reefs being smothered in bags, turtles gagging on straws, stormwater systems being choked, to whales and seabirds starving because their bellies are jammed with bits of plastic that there’s no room for real food — this is a crisis, and we have the power to make it better.
“Removing the state’s preemption on banning single-use plastic and Polystyrene is not only the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do,” said Representative Grieco. “As a former city official myself, I firmly believe in the power of local control, alongside the importance of protecting our environment at a place-based level. That’s why I’m proud to re-file HB6043 with Representative Anna V. Eskamani.”

Reducing even just the use of plastic bags can mitigate harmful impacts to oceans, rivers, lakes, forests and the wildlife that inhabit them. It can also relieve pressure on landfills and waste management. New research is also emerging around the possible long-term impacts of tiny pieces of plastic on the marine food chain — raising questions about how it might ultimately impact human health and food security, too.
“Some environmental problems are tough to tackle, but this one is simple,” added Representative Eskamani. “State officials often express support for small government policies, and yet we continue to allow big government policies like preemption on single-use plastic to persist. I’m proud to champion local-government control and to support environmental protection across our state.”
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