American voters overwhelmingly support policies to reduce single-use plastic

Washington, DC, February 11, 2022 — A new public opinion survey, conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Oceana, shows that Americans and registered voters are concerned about plastic pollution and its impact on the environment and the ocean. Americans support policies that reduce single-use plastics generally, and a majority say they would be willing to pay more for products that do not use plastic packaging. Finally, Americans say they would be more likely to vote for a political candidate who supports policies to reduce single-use plastics.

Detailed Findings

Eighty-two percent of Americans and 84% of registered voters say they are concerned about plastic pollution and its impact on the environment and our oceans.

• Registered voters nationally report being particularly concerned that roughly 33 billion pounds of plastic enter the ocean every year (88%).
• Strong majorities of Americans (77%) and registered voters (77%) agree that companies need to stop producing so much single-use plastic.
• Many registered voters believe that the United States has a responsibility to reduce its contribution to the global plastic pollution problem (78%).

Americans (81%) and registered voters (81%) broadly support both national and local/state policies that would reduce single-use plastics.

• Broad support exists for local and state policies that reduce single use plastics among both major political parties. Democratic registered voters (91%) and Republican registered voters (71%) indicate they would support these policies.
• Democratic registered voters (92%) and Republican registered voters (69%) also support national policies to reduce single-use plastic.

When asked to consider all the things they know about single-use plastics, three in five registered voters (58%) nationally said they would be more likely to vote for political candidates who support policies aimed at reducing single-use plastics, and one-third (31%) would be much more likely to vote for a candidate who supports these policies.

• Democratic registered voters (73%) are more likely to say they would be more likely to vote for a political candidate who supports policies to reduce single-use plastics than Republican registered voters (43%).
• However, Republican registered voters are more likely to say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports policies that reduce single-use plastics (43%), than be less likely to support a candidate who does so (14%). Thirty-five percent of Republicans say these policies would have no impact on their decision to vote.

About the Study

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted between November 5-9, 2021 on behalf of Oceana. For this survey, a sample of roughly 1,005 adults age 18+ from the continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii, was interviewed online in English. This survey includes interviews of 1,005 Americans, The sample includes 839 registered voters.

The sample for this study was randomly drawn from Ipsos’ online panel, partner online panel sources, and “river” sampling and does not rely on a population frame in the traditional sense. Ipsos uses fixed sample targets, unique to each study, in drawing a sample. After a sample has been obtained from the Ipsos panel, Ipsos calibrates respondent characteristics to be representative of the U.S. Population using standard procedures such as raking-ratio adjustments. The source of these population targets is U.S. Census 2019 American Community Survey data. The sample drawn for this study reflects fixed sample targets on demographics. Post-hoc weights were made to the population characteristics on gender, age, race/ethnicity, region, and education for the national sample.

Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online non-probability polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. Where figures do not sum to 100, this is due to the effects of rounding. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points for all Americans. Ipsos calculates a design effect (DEFF) for each study based on the variation of the weights, following the formula of Kish (1965). This study had a credibility interval adjusted for design effect of the following (n=1,005, DEFF=1.5, adjusted Confidence Interval=+/-5.0 percentage points). The poll also has a credibility interval plus or minus 3.9 percentage points for registered voters. For more information on this news release, please contact:

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Chris Jackson
Senior Vice President, US
Public Affairs
[email protected]

Annaleise Lohr 
Director, US
Public Affairs
[email protected]

About Ipsos

Ipsos is the world’s third-largest Insights and Analytics company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people.

Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts, and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions, and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers, or employees. We serve more than 5,000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions.

Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).

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