Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 102 Part 3.djvu/827

 PUBLIC LAW 100-556—OCT. 28, 1988 Public Law 100-556 100th Congress

102 STAT. 2779

An Act

To require that plastic ring carrier devices be degradable, and for other purposes.

Oct. 28, 1988 [S. 1986]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

TITLE I—DEGRADABLE PLASTIC RING CARRIERS SEC. 101. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds that— (1) plastic ring carrier devices have been found in large quantities in the marine environment; (2) fish and wildlife have been known to have become entangled in plastic ring carriers; (3) nondegradable plastic ring carrier devices can remain intact in the marine environment for decades, posing a threat to fish and wildlife; and (4) 16 States have enacted laws requiring that plastic ring carrier devices be made from degradable material in order to reduce litter and to protect fish and wildlife. SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.

»

42 USC 6914b note.

42 USC 6914b.

As used in this title— (1) the term "regulated item" means any plastic ring carrier device that contains at least one hole greater than 1% inches in diameter which is made, used, or designed for the purpose of packaging, transporting, or carrying multipackaged cans or bottles, and which is of a size, shape, design, or type capable, when discarded, of becoming entangled with fish or wildlife; and (2) the term "naturally degradable material" means a material which, when discarded, will be reduced to environmentally benign subunits under the action of normal environmental forces, such as, among others, biological decomposition, photodegradation, or hydrolysis. SEC. 103. REGULATION.

Not later than 24 months after the date of the enactment of this title (unless the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency determines that it is not feasible or that the byproducts of degradable regulated items present a greater threat to the environment than nondegradable regulated items), the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall require, by regulation, that any regulated item intended for use in the United States shall be made of naturally degradable material which, when discarded, decomposes within a period established by such regulation. The period within which decomposition must occur after being discarded shall be the shortest period of time consistent with the intended use

42 USC 6914b-l.

�