Overregulating the chemistry industry jeopardizes innovation, jobs, and economic growth. Learn more.

  • Read time: 2 minutes
  • Press Release

ACC Statement for CBS News Sunday Morning Coverage of Plastics Recycling

CONTACT US
Matthew Kastner
CONTACT US

Washington (April 14, 2024)—Today, CBS News Sunday Morning aired a piece on plastics recycling, largely based on a report from the Center for Climate Integrity (February 2024), that relied on outdated information and a poor understanding of our industry, including the constructive steps America’s Plastics Makers® are taking to improve recycling through innovation, financial investment, and responsible public policies.

The American Chemistry Council responded to the CBS inquiry in full, below:

“Plastics are highly efficient and modern materials that are essential to meeting society’s needs for renewable energy, clean water, connectivity, and global health and nutrition. America’s Plastic Makers are working hard and making progress toward changing the way plastics are made and recycled. 

“We’ve embraced an all-the-above approach that combines innovation, investments and good policy. Unfortunately, this flawed report, and today’s CBS News story, use outdated, decades-old assertions and mischaracterizations to attack sound and viable technologies that can complement our current recycling practices to effectively manage plastic waste and meet demands for recycled content for use in new products. In numerous instances, the report's authors demonstrate a lack of understanding about how today’s recycling technologies operate. 

“While groups like the Center for Climate Integrity would like to ignore the investments in advanced recycling that are growing in the United States and the European Union, America's Plastic Makers will continue to advocate for smart public policies, which include investing in recycling infrastructure and designing products that minimize excess material, incorporate recycled content and are more compatible with the recycling stream.”

American Chemistry Council

The American Chemistry Council’s mission is to advocate for the people, policy, and products of chemistry that make the United States the global leader in innovation and manufacturing. To achieve this, we: Champion science-based policy solutions across all levels of government; Drive continuous performance improvement to protect employees and communities through Responsible Care®; Foster the development of sustainability practices throughout ACC member companies; and Communicate authentically with communities about challenges and solutions for a safer, healthier and more sustainable way of life. Our vision is a world made better by chemistry, where people live happier, healthier, and more prosperous lives, safely and sustainably—for generations to come.