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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The Indian Health Service is working closely with our tribal partners to coordinate a comprehensive public health response to both COVID-19 and mpox.

Environmental Sustainability

Plastic Waste

In 2014, 33 million tons of plastic waste was generated in the US and only 9% was recovered for recycling. Most plastic waste ends up in landfills, but a large amount is discharged through stormwater runoff into oceans, where it accumulates and causes physical harm to aquatic life such as birds, fish and, marine mammals.

While animals can get entangled in larger plastic items, approximately 90% of the plastics in marine environments deteriorate to small particles of less than five millimeters in size, called microplastics. These tiny plastic beads are very difficult to remove and are ingested by wildlife; some of which are a human food source.

What You Can Do:

Buy items with less packaging
Bring reusable bags to stores
Use reusable containers instead of plastic bags
Use reusable water bottles and coffee cups
Don't buy cleaning or health/beauty products with microbeads
REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE!