State laws incentivize chemical recycling, but environmental advocates are critical

As the public grows more concerned about plastic pollution, some elected officials are getting onboard with “advanced recycling,” which is being promoted by industry groups. Although this process might sound like a good way to deal with the plastics problem, environmental advocates warn that it’s not all it’s cracked up to be, according to a cover story in Chemical & Engineering News, an independent news outlet of the American Chemical Society.

Unlike mechanical recycling, which grinds plastic into small pieces to be reused, advanced recycling chemically breaks down the plastic into molecular building blocks, writes Senior Correspondent Cheryl Hogue. These raw materials go into the production of new plastic items or are converted into fuels such as gasoline or home heating oil. Plastic-to-plastic recycling does not stop the production of single-use plastic items, which environmental advocates maintain would have the biggest impact on the plastic pollution crisis. And because the plastic-to-fuel strategy involves energy-intensive processes and air pollution, it is not circular, which advocates say defeats the purpose of recycling. Thus, they say that plastic-to-fuel recycling should not be considered advanced recycling under the new laws.

Policymakers in 18 states have already enacted legislation that encourages advanced recycling, and even more are considering taking similar action. Most of these laws reclassify advanced recycling facilities as manufacturing plants, rather than solid waste facilities. Environmental groups are crying foul because that means chemical recyclers can receive government financial incentives and qualify for looser regulations. And currently, industry groups are asking the Environmental Protection Agency to exempt pyrolysis and gasification units—two processes used for chemically recycling plastic—from stringent Clean Air Act regulations. As more states line up bills promoting advanced recycling, industry groups are hoping this momentum will also push for regulatory changes at the federal level. The Biden administration is currently seeking comment from both industry groups and environmental activists, and a decision on this matter is expected soon.

The article is freely available at cenm.ag/chem-recycling.

The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS’ mission is to advance the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Earth and all its people. The Society is a global leader in promoting excellence in science education and providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple research solutions, peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences, eBooks and weekly news periodical Chemical & Engineering News. ACS journals are among the most cited, most trusted and most read within the scientific literature; however, ACS itself does not conduct chemical research. As a leader in scientific information solutions, its CAS division partners with global innovators to accelerate breakthroughs by curating, connecting and analyzing the world’s scientific knowledge. ACS’ main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

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