Single use plastics have long been the focus of environmental protection advocacy groups and environmentally conscious stakeholders. Much of that work has paid off, as Governor Northam signed a bill on Tuesday to work towards making single-use plastics in the Commonwealth’s higher education and state agencies a thing of the past.  

Per Governor Northam, “As a large producer of solid waste, the Commonwealth must lead by example and transition away from single-use disposable plastics to create a cleaner, more sustainable future for all Virginians.” 

Executive Order Seventy-Seven calls for organizations to discontinue items such as, but not limited to, plastic bags, plastic straws, plastic cutlery, and plastic water bottles within 120 days. This is a game changer for Virginia’s environment as most single use plastics are not easily recyclable and as a result end up in the ocean or in landfills.

Notably, Northam continued to advance Virginia’s environmental protection measures by signing House Bill 533, which bans the use of styrofoam food service containers for all food vendors by 2025.

The Environmental Protection Agency has made their concerns clear that single use plastics and styrofoam containers are more likely to have a harmful impact on low income and minority populations, as waste found in landfills can impact air quality and even drinking water. With both bills now in place, Virginia can expect a more equitable environment for all its citizens, regardless of their zip code.