June 8 (UPI) -- It could be the last straw for single-use plastics, after the U.S. Department of the Interior said Wednesday it will ban the sale of single-use plastics on public land by the year 2032.
The department will gradually phase out the plastics in places like national parks and other public land, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said in an announcement timed to coincide with World Ocean Day.
Common single-use plastics include plastic or polystyrene food and beverage containers, straws, cups, cutlery and disposable plastic bags.
Haaland's order also directs the department to "identify non-hazardous, environmentally preferable alternatives to single-use plastic products, such as compostable or biodegradable materials, or 100% recycled materials."
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