Draft National Strategy To Prevent Plastic Pollution: Extension of Comment Period, 38862-38864 [2023-12684]

Download as PDF ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 38862 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 114 / Wednesday, June 14, 2023 / Notices EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit to EPA’s docket at https:// www.regulations.gov any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit https:// www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epadockets. For additional information about submitting information identified as CBI, please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name, mailing address, and an email address or other contact information in the body of your comment. This ensures that you can be identified as the submitter of the comment and allows EPA to contact you in case EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties or needs further information on the substance of your comment. Any identifying or contact information provided in the body of a comment will be included as part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket and made available in EPA’s electronic public docket. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Use of the https:// www.regulations.gov website to submit comments to EPA electronically is EPA’s preferred method for receiving comments. The electronic public docket system is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which means EPA will not know your identity, email address, or other contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the specified comment period. Comments received after the close of the comment period will be VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:24 Jun 13, 2023 Jkt 259001 marked ‘‘late.’’ EPA is not required to consider these late comments. Randolph L. Hill, Associate General Counsel. [FR Doc. 2023–12672 Filed 6–13–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OLEM–2023–0228, FRL–10820– 02–OLEM] Draft National Strategy To Prevent Plastic Pollution: Extension of Comment Period Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of availability; extension of comment period. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the comment period for the Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, which can be found at https://www.epa.gov/ circulareconomy/draft-nationalstrategy-prevent-plastic-pollution. The EPA published the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on May 2, 2023, and the public comment period was scheduled to end on June 16, 2023. However, the EPA has received several requests for additional time to develop and submit comments. In response to the request for additional time, the EPA is extending the comment period for an additional 45 days through July 31, 2023. DATES: The comment period for the Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution published on May 2, 2023 at 88 FR 27502, is extended. Comments must be received on or before July 31, 2023. ADDRESSES: To review the Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, please visit https:// www.epa.gov/circulareconomy/draftnational-strategy-prevent-plasticpollution. Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OLEM–2023–0228. Comments submitted in response to this notice may be submitted through the following: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit: https:// www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epadockets. Instructions: All submissions received must include the Docket ID No. OLEM– 2023–0228 for this notice. Comments received may be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov/, including any personal information provided. For detailed instructions on sending comments and additional information on the Request for Information process, see the ‘‘Public Participation’’ heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions concerning this document, contact Tameka Taylor at 202–564– 1510, Resource Conservation and Sustainability Division, Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery, Office of Land and Emergency Management, Mail Code 5306T, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004; Email: CircularPlastics@ epa.gov. For more information on this strategy and others developed as part of EPA’s Series on Building a Circular Economy for All, please visit https:// www.epa.gov/circular-economy. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Public Participation Response to this request for public comment is voluntary. Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OLEM–2023–0228, at https:// www.regulations.gov/ (our preferred method), or the other methods identified in the ADDRESSES section. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from the docket. The EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Responses to this request for public comment may be submitted by a single party or a team. Responses will only be accepted using Microsoft Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF (.pdf) file formats. The response document should contain the following: • Two clearly delineated sections: (1) Cover page with company name and contact information; and (2) responses by topic and/or that address specific EPA questions. • 1-inch margins (top, bottom, and sides). • Times New Roman and 12-point font. E:\FR\FM\14JNN1.SGM 14JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 114 / Wednesday, June 14, 2023 / Notices Comments containing references, studies, research, and other empirical data that are not widely published should include copies or electronic links to the referenced materials. Do not submit to EPA’s docket at https:// www.regulations.gov/ any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI), Proprietary Business Information (PBI), or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). Please visit: https://www.epa.gov/dockets/ commenting-epa-dockets for additional submission methods; the full EPA public comment policy; information about CBI, PBI, or multimedia submissions; and general guidance on making effective comments. No confidential and/or business proprietary information, copyrighted information, or personally identifiable information should be submitted in response to this notice. Privacy Note: All comments received from members of the public will be available for public viewing on Regulations.gov. In accordance with FAR 15.202(3), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Federal Government to form a binding contract. Additionally, those submitting responses are solely responsible for all expenses associated with response preparation. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 II. General Information A. What is the purpose of this request for public comment? Section 301 of the Save our Seas 2.0 Act charges EPA, in consultation with stakeholders, with developing a strategy to improve post-consumer materials management and infrastructure to reduce plastic waste and other postconsumer materials in waterways and oceans. The Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, satisfies Congress’ direction to EPA in section 301 of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act to develop a strategy to improve postconsumer materials management and infrastructure for the purpose of reducing plastic waste and other postconsumer materials in waterways and oceans. EPA’s National Recycling Strategy was published in November 2021 and primarily focuses on VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:24 Jun 13, 2023 Jkt 259001 enhancing and advancing the national municipal solid waste recycling system, including plastic products in municipal solid waste. This strategy, the Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, builds upon the National Recycling Strategy by focusing on actions to reduce, reuse, collect, and capture plastic waste. The Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, provides voluntary actions that can be implemented in the United States aimed at eliminating the release of plastic waste from land-based sources into the environment by 2040. This is a domestic strategy that identifies strategic objectives and voluntary actions where EPA can work collaboratively with U.S. stakeholders to prevent plastic pollution and reduce, reuse, collect, and capture plastic and other waste from land-based sources. The proposed actions under each objective create opportunities to shift from a linear approach in plastic materials management to a more circular system that is restorative or regenerative by design, enables resources to maintain their highest value for as long as possible, and aims for the elimination of waste. Sea-based sources are not in the scope of this strategy. With input from stakeholders, EPA has identified three draft objectives for the strategy: (A) Reduce Pollution During Plastic Production; (B) Improve post-use materials management; and (C) Prevent trash and microplastics from entering waterways and remove escaped trash from the environment. The proposed actions under each objective support the United States’ shift to a circular approach that is restorative or regenerative by design, enables resources to maintain their highest value for as long as possible, and aims to eliminate waste in the management of plastic products. EPA is seeking information about the objectives and voluntary actions identified in this draft strategy. Public comments will inform the Agency’s efforts to finalize the strategy and further work with stakeholders to implement actions to reduce plastic waste and other postconsumer materials in waterways and oceans. This Notice follows in sequence, a previous public comment period for the EPA’s National Recycling Strategy, which collectively satisfies the charge given to EPA by Congress under the SOS 2.0 Act. III. Request for Information In November 2021, EPA held multiple stakeholder feedback sessions with Federal agencies, states, territories, tribes, industry, and non-profit PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 38863 organizations to inform the development of this strategy. Between November 2021 and July 2022, EPA hosted virtual meetings across the country with interested stakeholders to inform the development of new grant programs established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which further informed the development of this strategy. This Notice and any future notices aim to supplement stakeholder engagement sessions and, provide all interested individuals and organizations with the opportunity to offer valuable input on the voluntary actions identified in this strategy. In addition to receiving general feedback on the draft strategy, EPA is interested in receiving feedback on the following: • Which actions are the most important and would have the greatest positive impact at the local, regional, national, and global level? Æ Which actions can best protect human health and environmental quality? Æ Which actions are most important to address environmental justice and climate change? Æ What are the key steps and milestones necessary to successfully implement the actions in the draft strategy? • What are the most important roles and/or actions for Federal agencies to lead? • Is your organization willing to lead an action or collaborate with others to implement actions? Æ What factors would your organization consider when determining whether to lead an action? • What are potential unintended consequences of the proposed actions that could impact communities considered overburdened or vulnerable, such as shifts in production or management methods? • What are the key metrics and indicators that EPA should use to measure progress in reducing plastic and other waste in waterways and oceans? • What criteria should processes other than mechanical recycling meet to be considered ‘‘recycling activities’’ (e.g., ‘‘plastics-to-plastics outputs are ‘recycling’ if the output is a product that could again be recycled into another product or to extent that it can achieve viable feedstock for new plastic materials’’)? How should health and environmental impacts be considered in these criteria? • Are there other actions that should be included in this strategy? E:\FR\FM\14JNN1.SGM 14JNN1 38864 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 114 / Wednesday, June 14, 2023 / Notices Æ Should EPA expand the scope of the strategy to include sea-based sources? Æ Should specific types of plastic products be targeted for reduction or reuse in this strategy? • Do you have any additional information or recommendations for EPA regarding these or other proposed actions in this draft strategy? IV. Disclaimer and Important Note This request for public comment is issued solely for information, research and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP) or a Request for Applications (RFA). Responding to this notice will not give any advantage to or preclude any organization or individual in any subsequently issued solicitation, RFP, or RFA. Any future development activities related to this activity will be announced separately. This notice does not represent any award commitment on the part of the U.S. Government, nor does it obligate the Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of any responses. Dated: June 8, 2023. Carolyn Hoskinson, Director, Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery. [FR Doc. 2023–12684 Filed 6–13–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Change in Bank Control Notices; Acquisitions of Shares of a Bank or Bank Holding Company The notificants listed below have applied under the Change in Bank Control Act (Act) (12 U.S.C. 1817(j)) and § 225.41 of the Board’s Regulation Y (12 CFR 225.41) to acquire shares of a bank or bank holding company. The factors that are considered in acting on the applications are set forth in paragraph 7 of the Act (12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(7)). The public portions of the applications listed below, as well as other related filings required by the Board, if any, are available for immediate inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank(s) indicated below and at the offices of the Board of Governors. This information may also be obtained on an expedited basis, upon request, by contacting the appropriate Federal Reserve Bank and from the Board’s Freedom of Information Office at https://www.federalreserve.gov/foia/ request.htm. Interested persons may express their views in writing on the standards enumerated in paragraph 7 of the Act. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:24 Jun 13, 2023 Jkt 259001 Comments regarding each of these applications must be received at the Reserve Bank indicated or the offices of the Board of Governors, Ann E. Misback, Secretary of the Board, 20th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20551–0001, not later than June 29, 2023. A. Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (Jeffrey Imgarten, Assistant Vice President) One Memorial Drive, Kansas City, Missouri. Comments can also be sent electronically to KCApplicationComments@kc.frb.org. 1. Michael Taylor, Sundance, Wyoming; to join the Richard Durfee Family Control Group, a group acting in concert, to retain voting shares of Sundance Bankshares, Inc., and thereby indirectly retain voting shares of Sundance State Bank, both of Sundance, Wyoming. 2. Charles and Loretta Durfee Revocable Trust, Loretta Durfee and Charles Durfee, as co-trustees, all of Sundance, Wyoming; Gerald and Peggy Hyatt Living Trust, Gerald Hyatt and Peggy Hyatt, as co-trustees, all of Bar Nunn, Wyoming; Moline Revocable Trust, Brett R. Moline and Judy Moline, as co-trustees, all of Laramie, Wyoming; and Tranas Family Revocable Trust, Donald Tranas and Shirley Tranas, as co-trustees, all of Greybull, Wyoming; to join the James R. Durfee Family Control Group, a group acting in concert, to retain voting shares of Sundance Bankshares, Inc., and thereby indirectly retain voting shares of Sundance State Bank, both of Sundance, Wyoming. B. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (Holly A. Rieser, Senior Manager) P.O. Box 442, St. Louis, Missouri 63166– 2034. Comments can also be sent electronically to Comments.applications@stls.frb.org. 1. Lambert Lynn Marshall, Little Rock, Arkansas; to retain voting shares of MNB Bancshares, Inc., and thereby indirectly retain voting shares of The Malvern National Bank, both of Malvern, Arkansas. C. Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago (Colette A. Fried, Assistant Vice President) 230 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60604. Comments can also be sent electronically to Comments.applications@chi.frb.org. 1. Dairyland Bank Holding Corporation, and William Bosshard, Andrew Bosshard, Joseph Bosshard, Makenzie Bosshard, Carlista Bosshard, and John Bosshard as Tenants in Common, all of La Crosse, Wisconsin; to join the Bosshard Family Control Group, a group acting in concert, to acquire voting shares of Bosshard Financial Group, Inc., La Crosse, Wisconsin, and thereby indirectly acquire voting shares PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 of One Community Bank, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Farmers State BankHillsboro, Hillsboro, Wisconsin. D. Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (Joseph Cuenco, Assistant Vice President) 101 Market Street, San Francisco, California. 94105–1579. Comments can also be sent electronically to: sf.fisc.comments.applications@ sf.frb.org. 1. BlackRock, Inc., New York, New York, on behalf of itself, its subsidiaries and affiliates, and the accounts, portfolios, registered and unregistered investment companies, collective investment vehicles, and other pooled investment vehicles that are sponsored, managed, or advised by BlackRock; to acquire additional voting shares of Banner Corporation, and thereby indirectly acquire additional voting shares of Banner Bank, both of Walla Walla, Washington. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Michele Taylor Fennell, Deputy Associate Secretary of the Board. [FR Doc. 2023–12745 Filed 6–13–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Supplemental Evidence and Data Request on Evaluation of Dietary Protein Intake Requirements Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), HHS. ACTION: Request for supplemental evidence and data submissions. AGENCY: The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking scientific information submissions from the public. Scientific information is being solicited to inform our review on Evaluation of Dietary Protein Intake Requirements, which is currently being conducted by the AHRQ’s Evidencebased Practice Centers (EPC) Program. Access to published and unpublished pertinent scientific information will improve the quality of this review. DATES: Submission Deadline on or before July 14, 2023. ADDRESSES: Email submissions: epc@ ahrq.hhs.gov. Print submissions: Mailing Address: Center for Evidence and Practice Improvement, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\14JNN1.SGM 14JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 14, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38862-38864]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-12684]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OLEM-2023-0228, FRL-10820-02-OLEM]


Draft National Strategy To Prevent Plastic Pollution: Extension 
of Comment Period

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability; extension of comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the 
comment period for the Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic 
Pollution, which can be found at https://www.epa.gov/circulareconomy/draft-national-strategy-prevent-plastic-pollution. The EPA published 
the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on May 2, 2023, and 
the public comment period was scheduled to end on June 16, 2023. 
However, the EPA has received several requests for additional time to 
develop and submit comments. In response to the request for additional 
time, the EPA is extending the comment period for an additional 45 days 
through July 31, 2023.

DATES: The comment period for the Draft National Strategy to Prevent 
Plastic Pollution published on May 2, 2023 at 88 FR 27502, is extended. 
Comments must be received on or before July 31, 2023.

ADDRESSES: To review the Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic 
Pollution, please visit https://www.epa.gov/circulareconomy/draft-national-strategy-prevent-plastic-pollution. Submit your comments, 
referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OLEM-2023-0228. Comments submitted in 
response to this notice may be submitted through the following:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
    Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from 
Regulations.gov. EPA may publish any comment received to its public 
docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be 
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, 
video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. For additional 
submission methods, the full EPA public comment policy, information 
about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making 
effective comments, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the Docket ID 
No. OLEM-2023-0228 for this notice. Comments received may be posted 
without change to https://www.regulations.gov/, including any personal 
information provided. For detailed instructions on sending comments and 
additional information on the Request for Information process, see the 
``Public Participation'' heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions concerning this 
document, contact Tameka Taylor at 202-564-1510, Resource Conservation 
and Sustainability Division, Office of Resource Conservation and 
Recovery, Office of Land and Emergency Management, Mail Code 5306T, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20004; Email: [email protected]. For more 
information on this strategy and others developed as part of EPA's 
Series on Building a Circular Economy for All, please visit https://www.epa.gov/circular-economy.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Public Participation

    Response to this request for public comment is voluntary. Submit 
your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OLEM-2023-0228, at 
https://www.regulations.gov/ (our preferred method), or the other 
methods identified in the ADDRESSES section. Once submitted, comments 
cannot be edited or removed from the docket. The EPA may publish any 
comment received to its public docket. Responses to this request for 
public comment may be submitted by a single party or a team. Responses 
will only be accepted using Microsoft Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF (.pdf) 
file formats. The response document should contain the following:
     Two clearly delineated sections: (1) Cover page with 
company name and contact information; and (2) responses by topic and/or 
that address specific EPA questions.
     1-inch margins (top, bottom, and sides).
     Times New Roman and 12-point font.

[[Page 38863]]

    Comments containing references, studies, research, and other 
empirical data that are not widely published should include copies or 
electronic links to the referenced materials. Do not submit to EPA's 
docket at https://www.regulations.gov/ any information you consider to 
be Confidential Business Information (CBI), Proprietary Business 
Information (PBI), or other information whose disclosure is restricted 
by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be 
accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the 
official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish 
to make. The EPA will generally not consider comments or comment 
contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e., on the web, 
cloud, or other file sharing system). Please visit: https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets for additional submission 
methods; the full EPA public comment policy; information about CBI, 
PBI, or multimedia submissions; and general guidance on making 
effective comments. No confidential and/or business proprietary 
information, copyrighted information, or personally identifiable 
information should be submitted in response to this notice.
    Privacy Note: All comments received from members of the public will 
be available for public viewing on Regulations.gov. In accordance with 
FAR 15.202(3), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be 
accepted by the Federal Government to form a binding contract. 
Additionally, those submitting responses are solely responsible for all 
expenses associated with response preparation.

II. General Information

A. What is the purpose of this request for public comment?

    Section 301 of the Save our Seas 2.0 Act charges EPA, in 
consultation with stakeholders, with developing a strategy to improve 
post-consumer materials management and infrastructure to reduce plastic 
waste and other post-consumer materials in waterways and oceans. The 
Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, satisfies 
Congress' direction to EPA in section 301 of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act 
to develop a strategy to improve post-consumer materials management and 
infrastructure for the purpose of reducing plastic waste and other 
post-consumer materials in waterways and oceans. EPA's National 
Recycling Strategy was published in November 2021 and primarily focuses 
on enhancing and advancing the national municipal solid waste recycling 
system, including plastic products in municipal solid waste. This 
strategy, the Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, 
builds upon the National Recycling Strategy by focusing on actions to 
reduce, reuse, collect, and capture plastic waste.
    The Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, provides 
voluntary actions that can be implemented in the United States aimed at 
eliminating the release of plastic waste from land-based sources into 
the environment by 2040. This is a domestic strategy that identifies 
strategic objectives and voluntary actions where EPA can work 
collaboratively with U.S. stakeholders to prevent plastic pollution and 
reduce, reuse, collect, and capture plastic and other waste from land-
based sources. The proposed actions under each objective create 
opportunities to shift from a linear approach in plastic materials 
management to a more circular system that is restorative or 
regenerative by design, enables resources to maintain their highest 
value for as long as possible, and aims for the elimination of waste. 
Sea-based sources are not in the scope of this strategy.
    With input from stakeholders, EPA has identified three draft 
objectives for the strategy: (A) Reduce Pollution During Plastic 
Production; (B) Improve post-use materials management; and (C) Prevent 
trash and microplastics from entering waterways and remove escaped 
trash from the environment. The proposed actions under each objective 
support the United States' shift to a circular approach that is 
restorative or regenerative by design, enables resources to maintain 
their highest value for as long as possible, and aims to eliminate 
waste in the management of plastic products. EPA is seeking information 
about the objectives and voluntary actions identified in this draft 
strategy. Public comments will inform the Agency's efforts to finalize 
the strategy and further work with stakeholders to implement actions to 
reduce plastic waste and other post-consumer materials in waterways and 
oceans. This Notice follows in sequence, a previous public comment 
period for the EPA's National Recycling Strategy, which collectively 
satisfies the charge given to EPA by Congress under the SOS 2.0 Act.

III. Request for Information

    In November 2021, EPA held multiple stakeholder feedback sessions 
with Federal agencies, states, territories, tribes, industry, and non-
profit organizations to inform the development of this strategy. 
Between November 2021 and July 2022, EPA hosted virtual meetings across 
the country with interested stakeholders to inform the development of 
new grant programs established by the Infrastructure Investment and 
Jobs Act, which further informed the development of this strategy. This 
Notice and any future notices aim to supplement stakeholder engagement 
sessions and, provide all interested individuals and organizations with 
the opportunity to offer valuable input on the voluntary actions 
identified in this strategy. In addition to receiving general feedback 
on the draft strategy, EPA is interested in receiving feedback on the 
following:
     Which actions are the most important and would have the 
greatest positive impact at the local, regional, national, and global 
level?
    [cir] Which actions can best protect human health and environmental 
quality?
    [cir] Which actions are most important to address environmental 
justice and climate change?
    [cir] What are the key steps and milestones necessary to 
successfully implement the actions in the draft strategy?
     What are the most important roles and/or actions for 
Federal agencies to lead?
     Is your organization willing to lead an action or 
collaborate with others to implement actions?
    [cir] What factors would your organization consider when 
determining whether to lead an action?
     What are potential unintended consequences of the proposed 
actions that could impact communities considered overburdened or 
vulnerable, such as shifts in production or management methods?
     What are the key metrics and indicators that EPA should 
use to measure progress in reducing plastic and other waste in 
waterways and oceans?
     What criteria should processes other than mechanical 
recycling meet to be considered ``recycling activities'' (e.g., 
``plastics-to-plastics outputs are `recycling' if the output is a 
product that could again be recycled into another product or to extent 
that it can achieve viable feedstock for new plastic materials'')? How 
should health and environmental impacts be considered in these 
criteria?
     Are there other actions that should be included in this 
strategy?

[[Page 38864]]

    [cir] Should EPA expand the scope of the strategy to include sea-
based sources?
    [cir] Should specific types of plastic products be targeted for 
reduction or reuse in this strategy?
     Do you have any additional information or recommendations 
for EPA regarding these or other proposed actions in this draft 
strategy?

IV. Disclaimer and Important Note

    This request for public comment is issued solely for information, 
research and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for 
Proposals (RFP) or a Request for Applications (RFA). Responding to this 
notice will not give any advantage to or preclude any organization or 
individual in any subsequently issued solicitation, RFP, or RFA. Any 
future development activities related to this activity will be 
announced separately. This notice does not represent any award 
commitment on the part of the U.S. Government, nor does it obligate the 
Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission 
of any responses.

    Dated: June 8, 2023.
Carolyn Hoskinson,
Director, Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery.
[FR Doc. 2023-12684 Filed 6-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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