plastic recycling
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Biden’s push for plastic as a coal replacement sparks environmental backlash
A Pennsylvania company’s plan to turn plastic waste into fuel for steelmaking, backed by a $182.6 million federal loan guarantee, is drawing sharp criticism from environmentalists who say the project is anything but green.
In short:
- The U.S. Department of Energy is funding a project to replace coal with plastic waste in steel production, claiming it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Environmental groups argue that burning plastic is not a viable climate solution and could worsen air pollution in disadvantaged communities.
- The Energy Department’s decision is under scrutiny as critics push for investment in cleaner, proven technologies like hydrogen.
Key quote:
“There are no steel mills in the United States that burn plastic. No one has any idea what the emissions profile of burning plastic will be.”
— Jane Williams, chair of Sierra Club’s national clean air team
Why this matters:
Burning plastic as fuel could introduce new toxic emissions, raising health concerns in communities already burdened by pollution, while potentially delaying the transition to truly clean energy alternatives. Read more: Every stage of plastic production and use is harming human health.
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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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Credit: John Fraissinet/Flickr
Effort to reduce plastic waste in New York gains momentum
New York State is on the verge of passing legislation to significantly reduce single-use plastic waste, potentially setting a precedent for other states.
In short:
- The proposed Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act aims to cut plastic packaging by 50% over 12 years by pushing companies to use sustainable alternatives or pay fees.
- Fees collected would fund recycling and waste management infrastructure, potentially bringing New York City $150 million.
- The bill also seeks to ban 19 of the most toxic chemicals in plastic packaging, following examples set by other states like California and Maine.
Key quote:
“We must go after the producers who contribute to the plastics crisis and not place the burden on individuals.”
— Elijah Hutchinson, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice
Why this matters:
This legislation addresses the escalating plastic waste crisis, aiming to reduce landfill waste by six million pounds daily. Its success could inspire similar actions nationwide, promoting healthier environmental practices and reducing public health risks from microplastics. Read more: California moves forward with landmark plastic waste reduction law.
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Newsletter
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Reimagining plastic usage to combat pollution
In an interview with CBC, environmental scientist Pete Myers advocates for a significant reduction in plastic production and emphasizes the urgent need to address plastic pollution's health impacts.
In short:
- Pete Myers, chief scientist at Environmental Health Sciences, highlights the toxic health impacts of plastics and stresses the need for urgent reductions in their production.
- Myers criticizes the notion of recycling as a solution, suggesting it distracts from more effective measures like limiting virgin plastic production while Nestlé and other corporations call for collaborative global rules with less emphasis on production caps.
- Canadian Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault acknowledges the need to eliminate the most harmful plastics but expresses hesitation about imposing a cap on all plastic production.
Key quote:
“We have the ability to use the science we have today, which we didn't have when plastic was invented. We know why some plastics are safe and some aren't. And let's use that information, that chemical information, to design safer materials.”
— Pete Myers, chief scientist at Environmental Health Sciences
Why this matters:
Plastic pollution has penetrated every corner of our planet, threatening ecosystems and human health. Read more: Exposure to chemicals in plastics linked to cancer diagnoses.
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Credit: Ministry of Environment - Rwanda/Flickr
Opinion: The myth of plastic recycling needs reevaluation
The author argues that we must confront the reality that recycling does not make plastic any less harmful or more sustainable, suggesting a move towards reducing overall plastic production.
In short:
- Plastic recycling often results in downcycled products that require significant amounts of new plastic to maintain structure, rendering the process largely ineffective.
- Despite decades of efforts, the actual recycling rate for plastics remains disastrously low at about 5%, compared to much higher rates for materials like paper.
- The toxic components in plastics pose serious health risks, including cancer and endocrine disruption, which are exacerbated by the recycling process.
Key quote:
"Let’s treat plastic like the toxic waste it is and send it where it can hurt people the least."
— Eve O. Schaub, author of “Year of No Garbage: Recycling Lies, Plastic Problems, and One Woman’s Trashy Journey to Zero Waste.”
Why this matters:
Schaub’s article points out the ineffectiveness and dangers of recycling plastic as a solution to waste, advocating for significant reductions in production rather than reliance on recycling. Read more: Recycling plastics “extremely problematic” due to toxic chemical additives.
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Top Story
The opening press conference for the INC-3 meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya, in Nov. 2023. (Credit: UNEP)
Everything you need to know for the fourth round of global plastic pollution treaty talks
Countries will meet this month in Ottawa to move forward on the historic treaty — but obstacles remain.
The fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international, legally binding plastic pollution treaty will take place from April 23 to April 29 in Ottawa, Canada.
In the first three sessions of treaty talks, negotiators from about 175 countries — along with industry representatives, environmentalists and others — met to advance a treaty to address global plastic pollution.
What’s at stake in the plastic treaty talks?
The plastic crisis is threatening both the planet and human and wildlife health.
- Global plastic waste is set to almost triple by 2060.
- The world generates roughly 400 million tons of plastic waste each year.
- Less than 10% of plastic ever made has been recycled.
The treaty is the first international attempt to address this.
What’s the state of the plastic treaty?
Consensus was elusive at the last round of talks in Kenya.
There is a High Ambition Coalition of countries that wants an end to plastic pollution by 2040. There is also a Global Coalition for Plastics Sustainability — largely nations economically reliant on fossil fuels such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran, Cuba, China and Bahrain — that has positioned itself as the counterbalance to the High Ambition Coalition and is pushing for a larger focus on addressing plastic waste (via chemical and mechanical recycling and other means) rather than plastic bans or production limits. The U.S. is not part of either.
Some sticking points include:
- Regulating the chemicals in plastic production
- Plastic production caps
- The role of chemical recycling and bioplastics
Where can I learn more about the plastic treaty?
You can see all of the details of the upcoming treaty meeting at the UN Environment Programme website.
Want to learn more broadly about the treaty and how plastic pollution impacts our health? Our newsroom has been hard at work on exploring these issues. Below we have articles to help you understand the treaty process and progress, plastic impacts to our health and chemical recycling and bioplastics.
And follow our newsroom on X, Instagram or Facebook to stay up-to-date on this historic treaty.Plastic treaty coverage
“Plastic will overwhelm us:” Scientists say health should be the core of global plastic treaty
Opinion: Pete Myers discusses the "Health Scientists' Global Plastic Treaty"
Plastics treaty draft underway, but will the most impacted countries be included?
Opinion: UN plastics treaty should prioritize health and climate change
Op-Ed: How the United Nations could avoid silencing voices during Plastic Treaty negotiations
Scientists: US needs to support a strong global agreement to curb plastic pollution
Plastic and our health
Plastic chemicals are more numerable and less regulated than previously thought
Recycling plastics “extremely problematic” due to toxic chemical additives
Every stage of plastic production and use is harming human health
Massive new database on how plastic chemicals harm our health
Chemical recycling and bioplastics
Bioplastics: sustainable solution or distraction from the plastic waste crisis?
Chemical recycling grows — along with concerns about its environmental impacts
This will be a big year in shaping the future of chemical recycling
Chemical recycling “a dangerous deception” for solving plastic pollution: Report
Q&A: Director of sustainability at Eastman Chemical Company talks chemical recycling
Latest chemical recycling plant closing spurs concern over the industry’s viability
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Newsletter
Credit: Sören Funk/Unsplash
Industry giants show support for federal recycling fee initiative
Major petrochemical companies and manufacturers, including Exxon Mobil and LyondellBasell, are exploring with lawmakers the idea of implementing a federal fee on packaging to bolster recycling efforts.
In short:
- Key industry players are negotiating with Congress to introduce a fee on packaging materials aimed at enhancing recycling infrastructure.
- The initiative seeks to address the dismal 9% plastic recycling rate in the U.S. by adopting measures similar to those in Europe and certain U.S. states.
- Support for this proposal spans across large corporations, indicating a shift toward acknowledging the need for federally coordinated recycling strategies.
Key quote:
“Companies are starting to realize no amount of investment is going to solve this and they needed to start working closer with government. That’s a huge shift for American companies.”
— Erin Simon, a vice president at the World Wildlife Fund
Why this matters:
Recycling rates for plastics remain low compared to other materials, largely due to economic, technical, and logistical challenges. A recent report from Greenpeace and the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) also finds that recycling plastics is problematic because they contain toxic chemical additives that can create new harmful substances during the recycling process.
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