Quigley Applauds Decision to Ban Single-Use Plastics in National Parks

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley, a member of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, released a statement applauding the decision by the Department of the Interior to ban the use of single-use plastics on public lands. After the Trump administration reversed Obama-era guidelines that allowed the National Park Service to ban the sale of single-use plastic water bottles in parks, Quigley tirelessly advocated for the restoration of these guidelines. Quigley is also the lead sponsor of the Reducing Waste in National Parks Act, which would ban the sale of single-use plastic in national park facilities.

"I have been working to ban single-use plastics from our national parks for over five years because I know first-hand from visiting our parks and meeting with NPS employees how vital it is for the health of our lands and for the visitor experience. This announcement is incredible news, and a huge step forward in the effort to protect our environment and its creatures from the damage of single-use plastics," said Quigley. "Knowing that single-use plastics will soon be banned on all public lands—not just national parks—shows that Secretary Haaland and the Biden Administration are committed to saving our planet. During my upcoming visit to Yosemite National Park, I look forward to hearing how this new rule will impact the Park, and to learn how climate change is affecting one of our most beautiful national treasures."

As a result of the original ban on single-use plastic water bottles, 23 out of 417 national parks, including Grand Canyon National Park and Zion National Park, implemented restrictions on bottled water sales and national parks experienced real success in reducing plastic waste. Zion National Park in Utah alone eliminated the sale of 60,000 water bottles, or 5,000 pounds of plastic waste, by installing bottle-filling stations and selling affordable reusable bottles in their concession stands.

Next month, Quigley will lead a bipartisan delegation on a three-day climate change tour of Yosemite National Park. The members will tour the park, meet with Yosemite's lead scientists, and discuss the threat of climate change and other environmental concerns at our national parks.

For more information about the trip, please contact Victoria.Oms@mail.house.gov