Yesterday, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy vetoed it House Bill 25led by Rep. Andy Josephson, would have banned single-use polystyrene food ware in restaurants and throughout Alaska government. The bill, which passed the state Senate and House with bipartisan support this spring, would have seen Alaska join growing action across the country, including similar policies in Washington and Oregon.
“The governor’s veto is a setback for Alaska and our oceans,” he said. Christy Leavitt, Senior Campaign Manager at Oceana. “Alaska is on the front lines of the global plastic crisis, and leaders like Rep. Josephson in the state legislature have advanced a meaningful solution. This veto undermines bipartisan action to reduce single-use plastic pollution at the source, and will only put Alaska’s communities, wildlife and waters at further risk. We applaud the efforts of the state legislature and look forward to working with legislators to pass this important bill in the future to phase out plastic and foam dinnerware.”
Plastic pollution is impacting Alaska’s ecosystems. Microplastics have been found in glaciers in southeastern Alaska, ocean water, and Arctic sea ice. Polystyrene foam – one of the oldest plastics identified in the ocean – continues to contribute to the global plastic crisis. Ocean wildlife, including marine mammals, fish, and seabirds, often mistake the foam for food, which can lead to malnutrition, starvation, and exposure to toxic chemicals. Plastic foam also poses risks to human health. Styrene, the primary component of polystyrene foam, is a potential carcinogen and can leach harmful chemicals into foods and beverages.
background
Plastic is found in every corner of the world, and is one of the biggest threats facing our oceans today. that Estimated at 33 billion Pounds of plastic enter the ocean every year, the equivalent of two plastic-filled garbage trucks being thrown into the sea every minute. Plastic is in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and in our bodies. Plastic poses threats to the environment and public health at every stage from extraction and production to use and disposal. It is also one of the largest contributors to climate change. In fact, if plastic were a country, it would be the world’s fourth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
One of the most problematic types of plastic is foam plastic. Oceana 2025 Report”Plastic foam needs to “go”“Outline the dangers behind single-use plastic foam, including that it is made with toxic chemicals linked to cancer. Plastic foam is also one of the most common types of marine plastic pollution and was one of the first types of plastic discovered in the ocean. A national survey released in 2025 found that 78% of registered American voters support this National policies to reduce single-use plastic foam.
Oceania Report 2020 It uncovered evidence that nearly 1,800 animals from 40 different species ingested or became trapped in plastic in U.S. waters between 2009 and early 2020. Of those animals, a staggering 88% were species listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
Recycling will not solve the plastic crisis. In fact, less than 6% of plastic is recycled in the United States. To address this problem, companies must reduce the production and use of unnecessary single-use plastic, and develop systems that refill and reuse packaging and food utensils. Government policies must ensure that companies move.
In February 2025, Oceana released results National poll Which reveals that the vast majority of American voters support policies that reduce the use of single-use plastics. Overall, 81% of American voters support reducing the amount of plastic produced. The national online poll, conducted by the nonpartisan polling firm Ipsos for Oceana using probability-based KnowledgePanel®, surveyed 1,111 registered U.S. voters from December 13-15, 2024.
Among the key findings:
- 85% of American voters support increased use of reusable packaging and utensils.
- 82% of American voters support protecting people in neighborhoods affected by pollution from nearby plastic production facilities.
- 80% of American voters support requiring companies to reduce single-use plastic packaging and cutlery.
To learn more about Oceana’s campaign to stop plastic pollution, please Visit usa.oceana.org/plastics.
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