petrochemicals
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EPA shuts down deceptive recycling claims in plastics industry
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cracked down on the plastics industry’s use of misleading accounting methods to inflate recycled content claims, marking a significant federal move to curb greenwashing in product labeling.
In short:
- The EPA's new policy prohibits the plastics industry from using the mass balance method to falsely advertise recycled content in products.
- Products labeled with the “Safer Choice” endorsement must now contain at least 15% post-consumer recycled content, calculated by weight.
- This decision is part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to tackle plastic pollution and promote truthful labeling.
Key quote:
“This is the turning point” that will allow us to start killing the “hoax” of mass balance.
— Jan Dell, founder of The Last Beach Cleanup
Why this matters:
The EPA’s move means that any products endorsed under its "Safer Choice" label must now meet stricter, more transparent standards. This is a win for consumers who care about making genuinely sustainable choices and a signal that the government won't tolerate such corporate sleight of hand. Read more: Recycling plastics “extremely problematic” due to toxic chemical additives.
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Houston’s plan for plastic recycling faces major hurdles and fire hazards
The ambitious Houston Recycling Collaboration, aimed at addressing plastic waste, is stalling as unprocessed plastic piles up at a site with multiple fire code violations and no state approval.
James Bruggers reports for Inside Climate News and CBS News.
In short:
- Plastic waste from Houston's advanced recycling program has been piling up for over a year at a facility with multiple failed fire inspections.
- The chemical recycling process promoted by the city and corporate partners has yet to be implemented, with major safety and environmental concerns mounting.
- Industry partners are distancing themselves from the project, questioning its legality and safety.
Key quote:
“Five acres of paper and plastic piled up with little or no fire suppression: What could go wrong?”
— Richard Meier, private fire investigator
Why this matters:
As the plastic waste accumulates, so do concerns over environmental health and the effectiveness of so-called 'advanced' recycling methods. For a city that wants to set the standard, the reality is proving far more complicated—and messy—than anyone anticipated. Read more: What is chemical recycling?
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Behind closed doors: Civil society groups excluded from key global treaty talks on plastic pollution
This week’s global treaty talks on plastic pollution in Bangkok have sparked outrage as environmentalists and affected communities are locked out of the negotiations, raising concerns about transparency and the future strength of the treaty.
In short:
- Environmentalists, tribal leaders, and community members from areas impacted by plastic pollution are excluded from crucial talks in Bangkok.
- The United Nations cites procedural rules for the exclusion, but critics worry this could lead to a weaker treaty.
- Some nations, like Uruguay and the Philippines, are including nonprofits in their delegations to ensure diverse representation.
Key quote:
“I didn’t think it would go to this extreme, with really limited participation. It’s taking away our ability to fully participate and come up with meaningful solutions.”
— Frankie Orona, executive director of the Society of Native Nations in Texas
Why this matters:
As key voices sound the alarm on being sidelined, the question looms: How effective can a treaty be if those most affected by plastic pollution aren’t even at the table? Read more: Plastics treaty draft underway, but will the most impacted countries be included?
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Top Story
Credit: Mark Dixon/Flickr
US shifts to support global plastic production cuts
In a significant policy shift, the United States is now backing a global treaty to reduce plastic production, putting it at odds with major plastic producers like Saudi Arabia and China.
In short:
- According to a source close to negotiators, the U.S. will support a global treaty to reduce the production of new plastic, a change from its previous stance.
- This move aligns the U.S. with countries like the EU and Canada, which advocate for caps on plastic production and eliminating harmful chemicals.
- The U.S. will also support creation of a list of harmful chemicals for phaseout.
- The policy shift comes just before crucial treaty negotiations in South Korea and has received mixed reactions from industry and environmental groups.
Key quote:
"This significant change of heart by the U.S. State Department — to support a global target that will reduce plastic production and to identify a list of hazardous chemicals to be eliminated from plastics — is affirmation of hard work by an assemblage of organizations working to ensure the treaty negotiations fully incorporated concerns about the human health effects chemicals in plastics. It was already clear that the current level of plastic production was unsustainable, and that current 'business as usual' projections by industry were going to make things much worse. If the State Department sticks to this commitment, we will all benefit."
— Pete Myers, EHS founder and chief scientist
Why this matters:
By backing the treaty, the U.S. is acknowledging that our addiction to plastics is not just an eyesore but a real threat to our health and the environment.
Read more from EHN about the impacts of plastic on our health:
A plastic recipe for societal suicide
Every stage of plastic production and use is harming human health: Report
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Newsletter
LISTEN: Brandon Rothrock on the environment and queer identities
"It's important to make queer and LGBTQ+ people central to research and policies and not add them in as an afterthought."
Brandon Rothrock joins the Agents of Change in Environmental Justice podcast to discuss the intersection of the environment and LGBTQ+ identities, and emerging climate and health issues in Appalachia.
Rothrock, a current fellow and a first-year geography Ph.D. student and EmPOWERment NSF Research Trainee at The Ohio State University, also talks about how geography informs who we are.
The Agents of Change in Environmental Justice podcast is a biweekly podcast featuring the stories and big ideas from past and present fellows, as well as others in the field. You can see all of the past episodes here.
Listen below to our discussion with Rothrock and subscribe to the podcast at iTunes or Spotify.
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NOAA Satellites/Flickr/https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
Hurricanes can triple the amount of toxic contamination released into nearby communities
A new study in Environmental Science and Technology found that petrochemical manufacturers and refineries in Texas released higher amounts of toxic contamination during hurricanes.
In short:
- Compared to periods of normal weather, Hurricane Rita (2005) resulted in twice as many contamination releases, while Hurricanes Ike (2008) and Harvey (2017) caused releases to triple.
- Communities with a higher percentage of renters, higher poverty rates, and more Hispanic residents were more likely to experience an increase in contamination.
- Petrochemical refineries were responsible for the highest amount of contamination released during hurricanes.
Key quote:
“Low-income communities and people of color are disproportionately impacted by hurricanes and floods, leading to concerns that climate change will further exacerbate existing environmental health disparities.”
Why this matters:
As climate change continues to alter global weather patterns, extreme weather events such as hurricanes are becoming more common and more severe. With hazardous petrochemical sites disproportionately located within low-income communities of color, this study highlights how extreme weather can have significant environmental justice implications, as well as the need for better protections for fenceline communities.
Related EHN coverage:
- Oil and gas production responsible for $77 billion in annual US health damages: Study
- Air pollution linked to over 700 health conditions
More resources: Environmental Health News reporter Cami Ferrell covers the petrochemical industry in Houston. See her most recent reporting, ExxonMobil, LyondellBassel and Chevron among Houston’s top polluters: Report (leer este reportaje en español) and WATCH: Enduring the “endless” expansion of the nation’s petrochemical corridor (en español).
Follow Cami’s reporting via Instagram @ehnewsroom and TikTok @CamiReports.
Berberian, Alique et al. for Environmental Science and Technology. July 30, 2024
Credit: Harry Stilianou/Pixabay
Shell's Beaver County plant aims to overcome early challenges and improve community relations
Shell's $15 billion petrochemical plant in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, is working to stabilize operations after a rocky start, characterized by equipment malfunctions and emissions issues, while seeking to rebuild community trust.
In short:
- Shell's Beaver County plant faced significant challenges, including equipment malfunctions and emissions exceeding permit limits, since beginning partial operations in 2022.
- Senior Vice President Emma Lewis admitted to communication shortcomings with the community and stressed the importance of rebuilding trust through transparent dialogue.
- Shell is focusing on stable production of certified plastic products and has brought in experienced staff to improve plant operations.
Key quote:
"We're not going to go anywhere. You might not like us, but it's a bit late for that."
— Emma Lewis, Shell’s senior vice president of U.S. Chemicals and Products
Why this matters:
Shell's plant is a major investment in Pennsylvania's economy, but its environmental impact and strained community relations raise concerns. Transparent communication and operational improvements are vital for addressing these challenges and ensuring long-term success.
Related EHN coverage:
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