The Basics: Advanced Plastics Recycling

Chemical recycling, also called “advanced recycling,” is a false solution to plastic waste and another human climate disruptor. Other names for chemical recycling include, “waste-to-energy” or “waste-to-fuel” incineration, pyrolysis, and gasification. These techno “fixes” are unproven, less-than-magical technologies that enable the plastics industry to continue producing more and more plastic, worsening the crisis.

The chemical recycling process often involves either burning plastic or chemically breaking down waste plastics. While industry claims this is proprietary, pyrolysis and gasification technologies are NOT new and have actually been around since the 1700s. End-products made from these polluting processes, often fuels, oils or other waxes, are very dirty and harmful to human health and the environment. Industry also touts the chemical recycling process as environmentally friendly. We see behind the curtain, and we know that burning these dirty fuels is hazardous and truly just shifting the waste medium from a solid product to one that is polluting air, water and soil.

Plastic was designed to last indefinitely, never to be recycled. In reality, less than 10% of plastic is ever recycled. Focusing on end-of-pipe solutions rather than tackling the root causes will not only be ineffective but will also raise emissions of toxic and climate pollutants. Phasing out single-use plastics is a good start.

SO WHAT ARE THE TRUE SOLUTIONS?

True solutions to the plastic pollution crisis include:

Producing less plastic. The petrochemical industry will not voluntarily scale back production, so public policies are required. These can include bans on single-use and other unnecessary plastics; a ban on constructing new or expanded plastic production facilities; a quantitative cap on plastic production; and a tax on plastic production.
Encouraging alternative service delivery models. A growing number of zero waste businesses aim to displace plastic with reusable packaging or providing services that eliminate the need for plastics.
Supporting recycling. To revitalize plastics recycling, eliminate additives, mixed-polymer and mixed material plastics (e.g. sachets); mandate recycled content standards; require producer financial responsibility for post-consumer plastics; and integrate the informal sector.
Avoiding false solutions which divert attention, energy and resources from the true solutions listed above.

Comprehensive policy solutions targeting the petrochemical industry are essential for reducing fossil fuel extraction and changing our patterns of plastic production and consumption. Preventing loopholes in enforcement of these policies is also a critical step. Bans on unnecessary single-use plastics are already making an impact on plastic waste at local, national, and regional levels. Meanwhile, more communities are implementing important reuse/refill infrastructure and adopting zero waste initiatives. We must continue to develop systemic improvements and ways to mitigate unnecessary waste through toxic-free, equitable, and circular methods.

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