Plastics industry emphasizes solutions to eliminate plastic waste and drive the circular economy forward
Plastics industry emphasizes solutions to eliminate plastic waste and drive the circular economy forward
December 9, 2020
Joshua Baca, American Chemistry Council
The Center for Biological Diversity and partner organizations have held a virtual press conference in the past few days and the American Chemistry issued a statement as a result
“Looking to 2021 and beyond, America’s plastic makers will continue working in a bipartisan, practical and collaborative fashion to advance solutions for a circular and sustainable economy for plastics,” said Joshua Baca, ACC’s vice president of plastics. “We look forward to rolling up our sleeves and working with the incoming Biden Administration to address the challenge of plastic waste and collaborate on constructive, real-world solutions that can be implemented to help ensure plastic can be recycled and re-used, and to eliminate plastic waste in the environment.
“While ambitious, achieving this goal is critical to effectively meet the environmental and climate challenges we face. It requires that disparate voices work together toward a common goal and continue to work with the federal government to be a catalyst for innovation.
Misguided policies that aim to eliminate all plastics overlook the myriad benefits provided by the material on which Americans rely and would also increase negative environmental impacts
“Misguided policies that aim to eliminate all plastics overlook the myriad benefits provided by the material on which Americans rely and would also increase negative environmental impacts.
“Plastics help doctors save lives, make cars more fuel efficient, and protect our loved ones at home, on the job, and at play. In addition, a study by Trucost found that the environmental costs of alternatives to plastic in 16 consumer goods sectors were nearly four times greater than those of plastic. Plastics also help to significantly reduce energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and waste. And plastics are helping to solve some of society’s greatest challenges, such as delivering clean drinking water and supporting the management of COVID-19’s effects.
“Our industry is already mobilizing to meet these challenges. We’re making investments for a more circular future, scaling up advanced recycling technologies that reimagine the concept of recycling, and supporting bipartisan legislation such as the Save our Seas 2.0 Act.
“America’s plastic makers have set goals to jumpstart a more circular economy for plastics in the USA, with the aim of making 100% of US plastics packaging re-used, recovered or recycled by 2040. To help achieve these goals, ACC introduced our Roadmap to Reuse earlier this year, which together with our Guiding Principles, provides a framework to guide actions that support the delivery of solutions.
“Domestic investments in the US recycling system are on the rise. In just the past three years, 64 projects in mechanical and advanced recycling in the US have been announced, valued at US$5.3 billion. Together, these projects have the potential to divert more than four million metric tons (about 8.9 billion pounds) of waste from landfills each year. This is a strong start, but more needs to be done.
“ACC and its members support EPA’s ‘50 by 30’ goals. This shift to a more comprehensive national strategy will help create a stronger, more resilient domestic recycling system and give all stakeholders greater opportunity to reduce plastic waste in the environment.
“Solving the complex challenge of recycling and improving waste management requires everyone to play a role. Plastics producers, product manufacturers, retailers, recyclers and waste haulers, as well as communities, non-profits, and federal, state and local governments must come together to create the circularity solutions and infrastructure this problem requires.
We must continue to focus on modernizing our recycling systems, investing in and scaling advanced recycling technologies to capture and re-use more plastic, and closing the loop to keep plastics in use – as the building blocks for tomorrow’s plastic and other products
“We must continue to focus on modernizing our recycling systems, investing in and scaling advanced recycling technologies to capture and re-use more plastic, and closing the loop to keep plastics in use – as the building blocks for tomorrow’s plastic and other products. We are asking manufacturers and businesses to join us and support achieving these circularity goals. We are calling on Congress to enact meaningful policies that will support EPA’s effort and enable us to capture the value of plastic waste as a resource.
“Achieving these goals and creating the 21st century recycling system that citizens want will require smart policies, such as a harmonized national approach to community recycling programs, encouraging the use of recycled content, and increasing private investment in circularity by updating regulatory frameworks for new and innovative advanced recycling technologies.
“Last week, Pennsylvania became the ninth state to pass bipartisan legislation that will enable greater adoption and encourage investment in advanced recycling technologies that can recycle and recover more types of plastics.
“Creating the critical change needed to combat plastic waste requires true commitment, realistic solutions and collaboration. The incoming Biden Administration will find a willing and dedicated partner in the plastics industry as we collaborate to end plastic waste.”
Plastic Free World Conference & Expo 2021 will be co-located with The Greener Manufacturing Show and will take place at Cologne Messe, Germany, on Wednesday 16 June and Thursday 17 June 2021. Registrations for this highly focused, solutions-driven event will open in early 2021. For sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, please email [email protected]