Overregulating the chemistry industry jeopardizes innovation, jobs, and economic growth. Learn more.
America’s plastic makers are asking Congress to initiate a good hard look at plastics and sustainability, particularly in relation to other materials. It’s Action #4 of 5 Actions for Sustainable Change, five important steps Congress can take to accelerate a circular economy for plastics through a comprehensive, national strategy.
A recent survey found that 82% of U.S. adults support national plastics recycling standards. As plastic makers, we do, too. It’s our third action in America’s Plastic Maker’s 5 Actions to Accelerate a Circular Economy for Plastics. We believe that national recycling standards for plastics are needed to support a circular economy and help achieve the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) goal to increase the national recycling rate to 50% by 2030.
You’ve heard me talk about advanced recycling many times on this blog and how it will play a critical role in achieving a circular economy for plastics. The demand for recycled plastic is growing rapidly as more brand companies commit to using it in their products and packaging, and advanced recycling will help create the supply. Congress can help accelerate this process.
Did you hear that America’s Plastic Makers recently called for a national recycling standard requiring all plastic packaging to include at least 30% recycled plastics by 2030?
After last year’s (non-virtual) conference, I wrote that plastic makers were focused on how “the entire plastic value chain can move from the past’s linear model… to a new circular model that enables us to use—and reuse—more of our plastics resources.” This year, I proposed that we’re likely going to need good public policy to get there.
I’ve written about the promise of advanced recycling a lot on this blog. These technologies take a raw material – in this case, used plastics with their inherent hydrocarbon/energy value – and create valuable new materials that can be turned into new plastics, chemicals, lubricants, waxes, coatings and transportation fuels, and more.
Held just a few weeks after the (somewhat more) popular sporting event, the Plastics Recycling Conference and Trade Show for years has been the ultimate opportunity to gather key stakeholders to analyze the state of plastics recycling.
Buy coffee lately? You may have noticed labels on the packaging by “certification” organizations that track and certify that the coffee growers:
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, while many of us are working from home, many American workers who are part of “essential” industries continue to go to their place of work. Hospital and healthcare workers are the most obvious examples, but this list includes those who work in food production and grocery stores, delivery and postal services… and of course those making chemicals and plastics that go into hand sanitizer, personal protective equipment, and other products that help keep us safe and lessen the risk of infection.
Recycling has faced strong headwinds over the past few years. China announced its National Sword policy restricting imports of recyclables in 2017, and other Southeast Asian countries following suit shortly thereafter.