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  • Press Release

Plastics Makers Welcome Florida Bill That Will Help Increase Recovery of Post-Use Non-Recycled Plastics

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Matthew Kastner
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WASHINGTON (May 5, 2017) – The Florida House and Senate this week passed Resource Recovery and Management (HB335). The American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division welcomed the legislation and issued the following statement, which may be attributed to Craig Cookson, senior director of recycling and energy recovery:

“The American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) Plastics Division welcomes the unanimous passage of HB 335—first-of-its-kind legislation that will make Florida a welcoming environment for innovative businesses that convert post-use non-recycled plastics into fuels, chemicals and chemical intermediates.

We’re thrilled to see legislation that attracts new innovative businesses and supports the creation of new jobs by treating post-use plastics as the energy-rich resources they are by classifying them as equivalent to “recovered materials” and not as “waste.” In addition, HB335 ensures manufacturing facilities that convert these post-use plastics into liquid fuels, chemicals, waxes and lubricants are not wrongly classified as solid waste management facilities. It also facilitates recognition that the conversion of post-use plastics into these valuable products will count as “recycling” and contribute to meeting Florida’s 75% recycling goal.

Traditional recycling of plastics continues to increase in Florida and around the nation. However, there are economic barriers to recycling 100 percent of any material. New technologies, such as pyrolysis and gasification, are enabling manufacturers to recover more of the energy embodied in plastics.

Florida recycles nearly 7.4 million tons of municipal solid waste annually. Converting Florida’s non-recycled plastics into energy could provide enough fuel to power more than 500,000 cars every year. We applaud Representative Clemons and Senator Perry for sponsoring this much needed legislation and urge Governor Scott to sign it.

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.