Every year, Kemps Ridley sea turtles, an endangered species here in Texas, witness a glimmer of hope. Young hatchlings are released into the sea, in an attempt to restore their dwindling population. But their journey for survival is prematurely cut short as they mistakenly ingest harmful plastic waste, mistaking it for food. Foam takeout boxes, plastic grocery bags, plastic straws, and single-use plastic bottles and caps, each of these common items spells potential death for these innocent creatures. And all this is exacerbated by the Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 361.0961, introduced in 1993, which hinders local governments from restricting the sale or use of certain packaging not authorized by state law.

Citing an amendment to this Act presents an urgent necessity to remove single-use plastics from this regulatory lock. Considering that in the United States alone, we use about 100 billion plastic bags a year, which requires 12 million barrels of oil to manufacture (source: US Environmental Protection Agency), we find it compelling to revisit this statute in favor of the environment, and specifically, for the survival of the Kemps Ridley sea turtles. Moreover, according to the Texas Sea Grant, a vast majority of sea turtles that are injured are found with plastic in their bellies.

Thereby we urge to amend the Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 361.0961, to exclude single-use plastics from its purview, to allow local governments to restrict or prohibit the sale and use of these materials. Help us redefine this law, save our turtles, and push Texas towards a cleaner, plastic-free future. Your signature can make a striking change. Sign this petition.