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Luke Simmons
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Advanced Recycling Policy Context

Improving recycling systems and increasing the amount of plastic that can be recovered and reused are central to advancing a circular economy for plastics. While traditional mechanical recycling plays an important role, many plastics used in packaging and products today are difficult to recycle through conventional methods.

Emerging recycling technologies can help expand the types of plastics that can be recovered and returned to productive use. These innovations can help strengthen domestic recycling systems, reduce waste, and support U.S. manufacturing.

How Advanced Recycling Technologies Work

Advanced recycling technologies use chemical processes to convert used plastics into raw materials that can be used to produce new plastics. These processes can handle plastics that are often difficult to recycle through traditional systems, including mixed or layered materials.

Public policy can support the growth of these technologies by recognizing advanced recycling as a recycling process and regulating these facilities as manufacturing operations. This approach can help increase recycling capacity, strengthen domestic supply chains, and expand access to recycled plastics for manufacturers.

Key Policy Elements

Effective policies can help expand advanced recycling technologies, strengthen recycling systems, and support greater recovery of used plastics.

Recognize advanced recycling as recycling

Materials produced through advanced recycling should be recognized as recycled plastics and counted toward recycling rates and recycled-content targets.

Treat advanced recycling facilities as manufacturing operations

Facilities that convert used plastics into new raw materials should be regulated as manufacturing operations rather than as solid waste disposal facilities.

Support growth of recycling technologies

Policies that enable new recycling technologies can expand the range of plastics that can be recovered and processed into new products.

Ensure transparent verification of recycled content

Independent certification and reporting systems can help verify recycled content claims and ensure accountability in recycled plastics markets.

Strengthen U.S. recycling and manufacturing systems

Expanding recycling technologies can help keep materials in circulation, reduce waste, and support domestic production of recycled plastics.