Advanced Recycling: A Potential Tech Boom for the Future

According to a new analysis from the American Chemistry Council, advanced recycling could represent a significant technological and economic opportunity for the United States. The report underscores the potential for the U.S. to dominate the advanced recycling industry, akin to its current leadership in technology, which could yield billions in economic activity and create tens of thousands of jobs.

ACC President Ross Eisenberg emphasizes that the necessary technology for this revolution is already available, but a shift in mindset is crucial. He argues that recycling should be viewed not merely as waste management but as a form of manufacturing, where used plastics are seen as valuable resources.

Currently, the 245 plastic recycling facilities in the U.S. primarily rely on mechanical recycling processes, which struggle to handle many types of plastics, such as films, pouches, and synthetic textiles, leading to their disposal in landfills.

Advanced recycling offers a solution by converting plastics into gas or liquid raw materials, reducing them to their basic molecular forms, which can then be transformed into new plastics for various applications, including food and pharmaceutical-grade products.

This process parallels the mining industry, where raw materials are extracted for consumer goods. The ACC's analysis indicates that advancing recycling technologies could create approximately 173,200 jobs with an annual payroll of around $12.8 billion and generate an estimated $48.7 billion in economic output, comparable to the annual economic contributions of the milk industry in the U.S.

However, regulatory barriers pose a significant challenge to this innovation. Eisenberg points out that the current regulatory landscape complicates the growth of advanced recycling, calling for recognition of the process as manufacturing instead of waste incineration.

He advocates for a consistent national framework with clear standards, funding, incentives, infrastructure development, and public education to facilitate the recycling process. While the plastics industry faces skepticism from environmental advocates and lawmakers, with groups like Greenpeace expressing doubts about the effectiveness of current recycling efforts, Eisenberg defends the industry's evolution.

He notes that modern plastic products are designed with end-of-life considerations, aiming to enhance recycling and benefit the economy. The Environmental Protection Agency indicates that only 32% of disposable items are currently recycled, and achieving a goal of 50% by 2030 necessitates significant changes in plastic processing.

Eisenberg insists that while environmental cleanup is essential, the job creation aspect of advanced recycling should not be overlooked. In a landscape where over 500 U.S. communities have already banned single-use plastic bags, the need for innovative recycling solutions is more urgent than ever.