The term “chemical recycling” refers to a wide range of technologies that process recovered plastic products (including packaging) into new plastic, as well as energy and/or fuel. These technologies have become a lightning rod: Producers claim they leapfrog mechanical recycling by enabling infinite processing, while environmental groups allege that they undermine efforts to reduce plastic through upstream redesign and are simply another form of greenwashing.
Yet as of 2021, more than 40 companies are working to develop or manage chemical recycling projects in the United States, and 20 states — including, most recently, Missouri and New Hampshire — have enacted laws that allow chemical recycling facilities to be permitted as manufacturing facilities.
Government policy makers tasked with passing legislation or issuing permits for chemical recycling projects lack criteria to assess their economic, environmental, and human health impacts. “Making Sense of Chemical Recycling,” PSI’s new report, aims to fill that gap. The report launched on November 17th, when this webinar was held.
During the webinar, presented by the Extended Producer Responsibility Alliance (EXPRA), our expert panel discussed the wide range of technologies that fall under the chemical recycling umbrella and considered criteria to determine which, if any, can support a sustainable economy, prevent waste and pollution, and curb greenhouse gas emissions. Speakers included:
David Allaway, Senior Policy Analyst, ORDEQ
Cheryl Coleman, VP of Sustainability, ISRI
Paula Luu, Senior Project Director at the Center for the Circular Economy, Closed Loop Partners
Tom Metzner, Environmental Analyst, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Joachim Quoden, Managing Director, EXPRA
Helmut Schmitz, Head of Communications, Der Grüne Punkt
Veena Singla, Senior Scientist, Healthy People & Thriving Communities Program, NRDC
The conversation was moderated by PSI’s CEO and Founder, Scott Cassel.