Plastics
Issues in Focus
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) Plastics Division supports sustainability initiatives that are conducted in accordance with principles that conserve resources and minimize the environmental and health impacts of plastics and plastic products.
Plastics help us ensure greater sustainability by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and saving energy at home, work, and on the road.
- Plastic packaging helps to dramatically extend the shelf life of fresh foods and beverages while allowing us to ship more product with less packaging material—reducing both food and packaging waste.
- Plastic insulation, sealants, and other building products are making our homes significantly more energy efficient, while reducing costs for heating and cooling.
- Lightweight plastics in cars can dramatically increase miles per gallon, saving drivers money at the pump.
These are just a few examples of many plastics innovations helping to create a better, more sustainable future.
Economic Contributions of the U.S. Insulation Industry
Beyond the many benefits of the use of insulation, the manufacture, distribution, and installation of insulation generates more than 1.2 million jobs in the U.S. and more than $57 billion in payrolls that support families and local communities around the country.
Learn moreAdvanced Recycling is Critical to Help Keep Plastics Out of Our Environment
Advanced recycling technologies take used plastics and break them down to serve as the building blocks for new products, including new plastics.
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Projects valued at over $7B in investments, potentially diverting nearly 9M metric tons (~21 billion pounds) of waste from landfills (per year)
Join America’s Plastic Makers®
When you join the American Chemistry Council's Plastics Division you join a community leading the way to a more sustainable future.
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