Technological watch
ACC Statement on EPA’s Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution
WASHINGTON (April 21, 2023) — Today the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution. The following statement can be attributed to Joshua Baca, vice president of plastics at the American Chemistry Council (ACC):
“The EPA and America’s plastic makers share the same goal: preventing plastic pollution. 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 by recycling valuable plastic materials, and shrink the environmental footprint of manufacturing.
“Some components of EPA’s draft strategy align with the federal policy proposal from America’s plastic makers, detailed in our 5 Actions for Sustainable Change, such as expanding recycling capacity and public education on recycling.
“However, other components of the strategy risk sending plastic manufacturing and jobs overseas where plastic is often made with less stringent environmental standards and more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We caution the Administration that prescribing alternative materials, capping plastic production or limiting innovative recycling technologies could work against its climate objectives as plastic almost always has a lower lifecycle GHG footprint compared to paper and metal.
“Healthy and sustainable 21st century life relies on plastics for safe food and water, fuel-efficient cars, affordable healthcare, and connectivity.
“ACC will submit comments on EPA’s draft strategy and looks forward to working with the Agency to prevent plastic pollution and increase the reuse and recycling of plastics.”
“The EPA and America’s plastic makers share the same goal: preventing plastic pollution. 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 by recycling valuable plastic materials, and shrink the environmental footprint of manufacturing.
“Some components of EPA’s draft strategy align with the federal policy proposal from America’s plastic makers, detailed in our 5 Actions for Sustainable Change, such as expanding recycling capacity and public education on recycling.
“However, other components of the strategy risk sending plastic manufacturing and jobs overseas where plastic is often made with less stringent environmental standards and more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We caution the Administration that prescribing alternative materials, capping plastic production or limiting innovative recycling technologies could work against its climate objectives as plastic almost always has a lower lifecycle GHG footprint compared to paper and metal.
“Healthy and sustainable 21st century life relies on plastics for safe food and water, fuel-efficient cars, affordable healthcare, and connectivity.
“ACC will submit comments on EPA’s draft strategy and looks forward to working with the Agency to prevent plastic pollution and increase the reuse and recycling of plastics.”
This project has been co-funded with the support of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Union [LIFE17 ENV/ES/000438] Life programme
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