SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Senate on Thursday passed HB4418, which takes a first step in addressing pollution from the plastic pellets used to produce most plastic products. Having passed both chambers, the bill now heads to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk for signature.
With the governor’s signature, Illinois state law will officially designate plastic pellets as a pollutant for the first time. Illinois will become the first of the Great Lakes states to hold producers of industrial plastic pellets accountable for spills of these toxic pellets into our waterways.
Plastic pollution adversely affects clean water, wildlife and public health. An estimated 22 million pounds of plastic waste ends up in the Great Lakes each year, and 86% of litter collected on Great Lakes beaches is plastic. A recent report found microplastics in 100% of tested waterways across Illinois.
Plastic pellets, sometimes referred to as “nurdles,” are the building blocks of plastics manufacturing. They are a recurring source of plastic pollution in the environment because they get dumped or spilled from stormwater runoff from plastic factories and during transportation between facilities.
The bill passed on Thursday by the Illinois General Assembly, sponsored by state Rep. Joyce Mason and state Sen. Julie Morrison, defines pre-production plastic pellets as a pollutant and directs the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to develop and implement stormwater pollution controls that specifically target plastic pellets. That means polluters would be required to have a plan to keep plastic pellets out of our waters, protecting wildlife and our drinking water sources from these toxic microplastics.
In response, Emily Kowalski, Associate Director of Environment Illinois, said:
“From Lake Michigan to the mighty Mississippi, Illinois’ waters support healthy wildlife and communities, but plastic pollution is impairing our waters and harming wildlife. Given the small size and large number of plastic pellets, spilling is inevitable. And when someone dumps these nurdles, cleanups are exceedingly difficult. We applaud the action of the General Assembly to address this often unseen, but always concerning, source of pollution.
“Thanks to the leadership of Senator Morrison and Representative Mason, Illinois is one step closer to protecting healthy waters for fish, birds, turtles and us as we swim, fish and paddle. We look forward to Governor Pritzker signing this bill into law.”
Andrea Densham, Director of Regional Government Affairs at the Alliance for the Great Lakes, said:
“We applaud Illinois for being the first Great Lakes state to hold producers and transporters of industrial plastic pellets accountable for spills that pollute our waters. Industrial plastic pellets are found on every Great Lake. Wildlife mistakes them for food. They threaten our drinking water by leaching additives, absorbing toxic chemicals, and breaking down into microplastics. Once this bill becomes law, polluters would be required to have a plan to keep plastic pellets out of our waters, protecting wildlife and our drinking water sources from these toxic microplastics.
“Thank you to Illinois Senator Morrison and Representative Mason for their support of clean drinking water and healthy Great Lakes. We look forward to Governor Pritzker signing this into law as we work to ensure other Great Lakes states enact similar protections in the coming years.”
Jen Walling, CEO, Illinois Environmental Council, said:
“Increasingly, Illinois is adopting policies that hold polluters accountable for the irresponsible and dangerous pollution they impose on our families and neighbors. The passage of this bill demonstrates another step in the right direction as Illinois will hold producers of industrial plastic pellets accountable for prevention of spills of plastic pellets into our waterways.
“Sen. Morrison, Rep. Mason and legislative leadership were instrumental in this big win, and we are eager to see Gov. Pritzker sign it into law as we collectively continue to protect our water resources and prioritize the health of Illinoisans and ecosystems across the state.”
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ABOUT THE ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES
The Alliance for the Great Lakes is a nonpartisan nonprofit working across the region to protect our most precious resource: the fresh, clean, and natural waters of the Great Lakes. For more information, visit www.greatlakes.org.
ABOUT ENVIRONMENT ILLINOIS
Environment Illinois is a policy and action group with one mission: to protect and restore the natural world. Learn more at www.environmentillinois.org.
ABOUT THE ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL
Representing over 150 environmental organizations in the state, IEC carries out its mission to advance public policies that create healthy environments across Illinois through education, advocacy and movement building. Learn more at www.ilenviro.org.