WASHINGTON (July 19, 2024) — Today the White House released a report from the Interagency Policy Committee on Plastic Pollution and a Circular Economy. The following can be attributed to Ross Eisenberg, president of America’s Plastic Makers®, a division of the American Chemistry Council:
The White House and America’s plastic makers share the same goal: preventing plastic pollution by creating systems that enable plastic resources to be used again and again. These words are backed by the billions of dollars plastic makers have invested to scale up a circular economy to help keep plastics from entering the environment, conserve natural resources through greater reuse and recycling, and further shrink the environmental footprint of manufacturing.
We agree with the White House’s ambitions to make plastic production a more circular process. A collaborative public-private approach that includes all technologies as possible solutions as well as clear federal standards and definitions can help make the United States a leader in this field.
We have highlighted opportunities for EPA and other agencies to engage stakeholders and learn more about industry innovations and investments, including with advanced recycling, bio-plastics, enhanced plastic management, and ACC’s “5 Actions for Sustainable Change” policy framework. This engagement becomes even more important across agencies to develop consistent, actionable outcomes.
We caution the Administration that prescribing alternative materials could work against its climate objectives as plastic often has a lower lifecycle GHG footprint compared to paper, metal and alternative materials. A recent General Services Administration (GSA) ruling recognizes that the “industry is pivoting,” by designing products for better recycling and improving the recycling infrastructure. GSA’s ruling also acknowledges the essential benefits of plastics and how they provide safer access to food and modern health care.
Ours is an industry of scientists, engineers, and problem solvers – eager to collaborate with the White House and all levels of government to eliminate plastic pollution once and for all.
