Chemical companies claim they have a bold new environmentally responsible way to recycle plastic . But they just need an exemption from the Clean Air Act to do it.
Does that sound like it might not be as good as they are saying?
The proposal has nothing to do with real recycling at all. The plastics industry is vying to expand so-called “chemical recycling.” Expanding this practice would give these companies license to burn huge amounts of plastic in a dangerous and polluting process that they nonetheless call “recycling.”
Plastic waste is a huge problem in this country, but incinerating plastic is not the solution. We need to reduce plastic consumption, not fill our skies with plastic fumes.
This will make it easier for companies to pollute our air by burning plastic
Chemical recycling involves using extreme heat or powerful chemicals to turn plastic into acids, smoky pollutants, and diesel fuel—destined to be burned and release more air pollution. It’s not clean, it’s not effective, and it is certainly not recycling.
The Clean Air Act is an important piece of legislation that sets air quality standards and prevents companies from polluting the air we breathe. But chemical companies are trying to ask Congress for new legislation that would exempt pollution-spewing “chemical recycling” facilities from the Clean Air Act.
If the plastics industry gets what they’re asking for, it will make it easier for companies to pollute our air by burning plastic. This proposal won’t help solve our country’s growing plastic waste problem, and could even make it worse.
Chemical recycling releases toxic pollutants into the air
Chemical recycling can release up to 96 types of dangerous pollutants into our atmosphere. The list of noxious emissions can include benzene, mercury, arsenic, formaldehyde, and more. The noxious pollutants from these plants have been linked to cancer and other health conditions.
We all need clean air to breathe, and we all share one atmosphere. The impact of plastic incineration can spread far and wide as pollutants travel on the wind.
Polluted air can lead to major health problems for people and wildlife near these facilities. Tiny particulate matter can infiltrate peoples’ lungs and cause respiratory disease. Heavy metals like mercury in the air can lead to neurological problems. And other kinds of toxic chemicals can increase the risk of cancer and other deadly health problems.
If anything, chemical recycling should be under higher pollution standards, not lower ones.
Chemical recycling replaces one type of pollution with another
Plastic incineration has a fundamental problem. At the end of the day, you’re using a massive amount of energy and polluting our air just so that you can melt plastic into more oil and plastic.
Advocates of chemical recycling will say that it’s the only way to recycle certain kinds of plastics. But instead of using this dirty, dangerous and wasteful process, instead we should stop producing unrecyclable plastics in the first place.
By reducing our reliance on plastic in our lives, we can cut waste and reduce the need for polluting practices like “chemical recycling.” Reusable alternatives to common plastic items like bags and bottles are becoming more available every day.
We can also work toward using more truly recyclable materials, like aluminum and glass. We need to focus on actually reusing materials to make new useful things, not burning it to chemically transform it.
Take action to stop chemical recycling in Congress
Congress is considering the “misleadingly-named “Accelerating a Circular Economy for Plastics and Recycling Innovation Act of 2024” right now. This bill would give the plastics industry exactly what they’re asking for, exempting chemical recycling facilities from the Clean Air Act and expanding their ability to utilize this polluting process.
We need real reductions in plastic consumption, waste and pollution. Not pro-chemical bills with misleading names.
Take action to stop this bad bill today:
