Repeal Florida's Plastic Bag and Auxiliary Container Preemption Law
The Issue
Approximately 7,000 tons of plastic enter Florida's marine ecosystems per year, equivalent to roughly one garbage truck of plastic every day. Many common plastics can persist in the environment for decades or even centuries, with estimated decomposition times ranging from approximately 20 to 500 years. With the immense amount of plastic entering Florida's marine ecosystems, environmental advocates are searching for a strong policy solution.
Plastic pollution harms biodiversity, threatens human and animal health, creates long-term negative economic impacts, and disrupts ecosystem services that local communities depend on. Many environmental advocates argue that current plastic policies and regulations are not sufficiently addressing Florida's plastic pollution problem. To achieve meaningful change, stronger plastic regulations should be considered. A significant challenge to these effort is Florida Statute 403.7033. This preemption law generally prohibits municipalities from enacting stronger regulations on auxiliary containers, wrappings, and disposable plastic bags beyond what state law allows. As a result, communities have limited authority to address plastic pollution through local policy solutions.
Based on available municipal ordinance research, approximately 51 out of Florida's 411 municipalities have enacted independent, formal, enforceable, and direct partial plastic regulations, restrictions, or bans permitted under Florida's plastic preemption law. These municipalities may be restricted from adopting additional regulations, even if local officials or residents wish to do so. Similarly, the remaining 360 municipalities face these limitations.
The good news is YOU can take action!
By supporting this petition, you can help restore local authority to municipalities regarding auxiliary containers, wrappings, and disposable plastic bags. Repealing Florida Statute 403.7033 would give communities greater flexibility to consider stronger policies aimed at reducing plastic pollution. This could help reduce the amount of plastic entering Florida's marine ecosystems and contribute to healthier ecosystems for future generations. Thank you for your support!
To learn more, visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nr4Lrn-BznpVr6LwYMOjpW0d6araWeh0/view?usp=sharing
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The Issue
Approximately 7,000 tons of plastic enter Florida's marine ecosystems per year, equivalent to roughly one garbage truck of plastic every day. Many common plastics can persist in the environment for decades or even centuries, with estimated decomposition times ranging from approximately 20 to 500 years. With the immense amount of plastic entering Florida's marine ecosystems, environmental advocates are searching for a strong policy solution.
Plastic pollution harms biodiversity, threatens human and animal health, creates long-term negative economic impacts, and disrupts ecosystem services that local communities depend on. Many environmental advocates argue that current plastic policies and regulations are not sufficiently addressing Florida's plastic pollution problem. To achieve meaningful change, stronger plastic regulations should be considered. A significant challenge to these effort is Florida Statute 403.7033. This preemption law generally prohibits municipalities from enacting stronger regulations on auxiliary containers, wrappings, and disposable plastic bags beyond what state law allows. As a result, communities have limited authority to address plastic pollution through local policy solutions.
Based on available municipal ordinance research, approximately 51 out of Florida's 411 municipalities have enacted independent, formal, enforceable, and direct partial plastic regulations, restrictions, or bans permitted under Florida's plastic preemption law. These municipalities may be restricted from adopting additional regulations, even if local officials or residents wish to do so. Similarly, the remaining 360 municipalities face these limitations.
The good news is YOU can take action!
By supporting this petition, you can help restore local authority to municipalities regarding auxiliary containers, wrappings, and disposable plastic bags. Repealing Florida Statute 403.7033 would give communities greater flexibility to consider stronger policies aimed at reducing plastic pollution. This could help reduce the amount of plastic entering Florida's marine ecosystems and contribute to healthier ecosystems for future generations. Thank you for your support!
To learn more, visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nr4Lrn-BznpVr6LwYMOjpW0d6araWeh0/view?usp=sharing
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Petition created on June 10, 2026