Gov. J.B. Pritzker quietly signed a bill last week banning single-use plastic in hundreds of state parks and natural areas. Most single-use plastic is neither biodegradable nor recyclable. When offered in state parks, it often creates piles of trash in places that are supposed to be protected. Starting in 2023, the state has to offer either compostable or recyclable foodware in state parks and natural areas.
“While there are miles more to go when it comes to reducing the demand, production and distribution of single-use plastics, this is an important step in the right direction,” Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, tells Axios.