Industry groups applaud national recycling bill

A bill that would standardize aspects of the US recycling system and set a recycled content mandate has met with support from plastics industry groups and companies.

The bill, which was introduced by US Congressman Larry Buchson (R-Indiana) and US Congressman Don Davis (D-North Carolina), would direct the Environmental Protection Agency to establish national recycling standards across the US, lessen restrictions on chemical recycling, and set a minimum recycled content standard for plastic packaging.

The bill would require manufacturers of plastic packaging to use 30pc recycled content by 2030 in order to spur demand for recycled plastic, putting the percentage ahead of some state mandate laws such as New Jersey.

The bill also defines chemical recycling as manufacturing instead of solid waste disposal, which would lower environmental regulation restrictions on chemical recyclers. Already, 25 states have enshrined this in law following support from plastics industry groups.

The Plastics Industry Association and the American Chemistry Council (ACC) both came out in favor of the national recycling bill after it was announced yesterday. Additionally, Berry chief executive Kevin Kwilinski and Lyondellbasell chief executive Peter Vanacker also backed the bill.

"This bill would bring about transformational change to how we recycle plastics in this country, while creating regulatory certainty for businesses to tackle these important challenges," ACC chief executive Chris Jahns said.

By Zach Kluver