By Megan Quinn, Waste Dive
The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries has recently announced its position on chemical recycling, saying its definition does not include plastics-to-fuel technology as recycling. It announced the position after adopting the language during its July board meeting.
In its first official policy position on the issue, ISRI says it does not recognize the term “advanced recycling,” a name more commonly used in the plastics industry, saying the term creates a “totally inappropriate and untruthful” distinction and does not adequately recognize advancements made in mechanical recycling technologies such as robotics and AI.
ISRI joined other recycling and plastic organizations in advocating for only using chemical recycling technologies for creating new feedstocks for manufacturing, such as “recycled resins and monomers.”
Disclosure: Brill Public Affairs, a sister organization to EnviroPolitics, provides consulting to ISRI
ISRI’s announcement comes as more industries are investing in chemical recycling technologies and some environmentalists decry the process as a potential source of pollution that relies too much on virgin plastics production.
At the same time, numerous states have passed laws reclassifying advanced recycling as a manufacturing process rather than solid waste management. The American Chemistry Council has backed such laws, now operational in more than 20 states, including recently in Mississippi and West Virginia. Matthew Kastner, director of media relations for ACC’s plastics division, said the organization will “definitely be advocating” for similar laws to pass in more states in 2023.
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