Advanced recycling Plastic crisis solution or distraction Plastic Waste - Recyclable Plastics HEAD TOPICS

Advanced recycling Plastic crisis solution or distraction

10/21/2022 11:27:00 PM

The plastics industry says there is a way to help solve the crisis of plastic waste plaguing the planet' s oceans beaches and lands— recycle it chemically

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The plastics industry says there is a way to help solve the crisis of plastic waste plaguing the planet's oceans, beaches and lands— recycle it, chemically. The plastics industry says there is a way to help solve the crisis of plastic waste plaguing the planet's oceans, beaches and lands— recycle it, chemically. “What we are trying to do is really create a circular economy for plastics because we think it is the most viable option for keeping plastic out of the environment,” said Joshua Baca , vice president of the plastics division at the American Chemistry Council , the industry trade association for American chemical companies. ExxonMobil, New Hope Energy, Nexus Circular, Eastman, Encina and other companies are planning to build large plastics recycling plants. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The plastics industry says there is a way to help solve the crisis of plastic waste plaguing the planet' s oceans beaches and lands— recycle it chemically ExxonMobil, New Hope Energy, Nexus Circular, Eastman, Encina and other companies are planning to build large plastics recycling plants. Seven smaller facilities across the United States already recycle plastic into new plastic, according to the ACC. A handful of others convert hard-to-recycle used plastics into alternative transportation fuels for aviation, marine and auto uses. Read more:
Yahoo News » Advanced recycling Plastic crisis solution or distraction Industry: Advanced recycling is a solution to plastic crisis Industry: Advanced recycling is a solution to plastic crisis As Baby Boomers Retire, The Water Workforce Faces Its Own Drought

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We're getting to know our very own Cindy Hsu a little better with a series of rapid-fire questions. Read more >> Advanced recycling Plastic crisis solution or distraction The plastics industry says there is a way to help solve solution to the crisis of plastic waste plaguing the ocean, beaches and lands across the globe Industry: Advanced recycling is a solution to plastic crisisThe plastics industry says there is a way to help solve solution to the crisis of plastic waste plaguing the ocean, beaches and lands across the globe Industry: Advanced recycling is a solution to plastic crisisPROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The plastics industry says there is a way to help solve the crisis of plastic waste plaguing the planet' s oceans beaches and lands— recycle it chemically Chemical recycling typically uses heat or chemical solvents to break down plastics into liquid and gas to produce an oil-like mixture or basic chemicals. Recycling is always great but reducing use is even better. We need to ban single use plastics like water bottles and bags Uh no. Stopping the use of single use plastic is the solution. Advanced recycling? At what point do we force companies to stop packaging so much stuff in plastic? As Baby Boomers Retire, The Water Workforce Faces Its Own DroughtBaby boomers became the backbone of the workforce that keeps these water systems running. But now, they’re retiring — and the industry is struggling to keep up. WorkForWater cawater cwea CANVAWWA ACWAWater AWWA_Cuyamaca NatUniv Mysterious Unknown Street Drug Randomly Discovered in AustraliaImagine, if you will, a small plastic baggy containing a mixture of crystals and powder. Does Microwaving Foods In Plastic Containers Cause Cancer?From TikTok videos to viral emails — for decades, warnings have circulated online about the alleged dangers of microwaves. But are they credible? 👇 October 21, 2022, 4:26 PM · 8 min read PROVIDENCE, R.By October 21, 2022 at 2:37 pm EDT Expand Advanced Plastic Recycling Jeremy DeBenedictis, President of Alterra Energy, stands in the storage area of shredded plastics his company receives from recycling facilities in their facility in Akron, Ohio, on Thursday, Sept.By October 21, 2022 at 10:26 am EDT Expand Advanced Plastic Recycling Jeremy DeBenedictis, President of Alterra Energy, stands in the storage area of shredded plastics his company receives from recycling facilities in their facility in Akron, Ohio, on Thursday, Sept.Jeremy DeBenedictis, President of Alterra Energy, stands in the storage area of shredded plastics his company receives from recycling facilities in their facility in Akron, Ohio, on Thursday, Sept. I. (AP) — The plastics industry says there is a way to help solve the crisis of plastic waste plaguing the planet's oceans, beaches and lands— recycle it, chemically. “Our mission is to solve plastic pollution,” said DeBenedictis, company president. Chemical recycling typically uses heat or chemical solvents to break down plastics into liquid and gas to produce an oil-like mixture or basic chemicals. “That is not just a tag line. Industry leaders say that mixture can be made back into plastic pellets to make new products. We all truly want to solve plastic pollution. “What we are trying to do is really create a circular economy for plastics because we think it is the most viable option for keeping plastic out of the environment,” said Joshua Baca, vice president of the plastics division at the American Chemistry Council, the industry trade association for American chemical companies.” (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) PROVIDENCE, R. ExxonMobil, New Hope Energy, Nexus Circular, Eastman, Encina and other companies are planning to build large plastics recycling plants.I.I. Seven smaller facilities across the United States already recycle plastic into new plastic, according to the ACC. A handful of others convert hard-to-recycle used plastics into alternative transportation fuels for aviation, marine and auto uses. Chemical recycling typically uses heat or chemical solvents to break down plastics into liquid and gas to produce an oil-like mixture or basic chemicals. But environmental groups say advanced recycling is a distraction from real solutions like producing and using less plastic. Industry leaders say that mixture can be made back into plastic pellets to make new products. They suspect the idea of recyclable plastics will enable the steep ramp up in plastic production to continue. “What we are trying to do is really create a circular economy for plastics because we think it is the most viable option for keeping plastic out of the environment,” said Joshua Baca, vice president of the plastics division at the American Chemistry Council, the industry trade association for American chemical companies. “What we are trying to do is really create a circular economy for plastics because we think it is the most viable option for keeping plastic out of the environment,” said Joshua Baca, vice president of the plastics division at the American Chemistry Council, the industry trade association for American chemical companies. And while the amount produced globally grows, recycling rates for plastic waste are abysmally low, especially in the United States. Plastic packaging, multi-layered films, bags, polystyrene foam and other hard-to-recycle plastic products are piling up in landfills and in the environment, or going to incinerators. Seven smaller facilities across the United States already recycle plastic into new plastic, according to the ACC. Seven smaller facilities across the United States already recycle plastic into new plastic, according to the ACC. Judith Enck, the founder and president of Beyond Plastics, says plastics recycling doesn't work and never will. Chemical additives and colorants used to give plastic different properties mean that there are thousands of types, she said. But environmental groups say advanced recycling is a distraction from real solutions like producing and using less plastic. That’s why they can’t be mixed together and recycled in the conventional, mechanical way. They suspect the idea of recyclable plastics will enable the steep ramp up in plastic production to continue. They suspect the idea of recyclable plastics will enable the steep ramp up in plastic production to continue. Nor is there much of a market for recycled plastic, because virgin plastic is cheap, she said. And while the amount produced globally grows, recycling rates for plastic waste are abysmally low, especially in the United States. Story continues So what is more likely to happen than actual recycling, said Enck, a former regional administrator at the U.S. Judith Enck, the founder and president of Beyond Plastics, says plastics recycling doesn't work and never will. Judith Enck, the founder and president of Beyond Plastics, says plastics recycling doesn't work and never will. Environmental Protection Agency, is the industry will shift to burning plastics as waste or as fuel. Lee Bell, a policy advisor for the International Pollutants Elimination Network, thinks chemical recycling is a public relations exercise by the petrochemical industry. That’s why they can’t be mixed together and recycled in the conventional, mechanical way. That’s why they can’t be mixed together and recycled in the conventional, mechanical way. The purpose is to dissuade regulators from capping plastics production. Nor is there much of a market for recycled plastic, because virgin plastic is cheap, she said. Making plastic could become even more important to the fossil fuel industry as climate change puts pressure on their transportation fuels, Bell said. So what is more likely to happen than actual recycling, said Enck, a former regional administrator at the U. The industry has made roughly 11 billion metric tons of plastic since 1950, with half of that produced since 2006, according to industrial ecologist Roland Geyer. Global plastic production is expected to more than quadruple by 2050, according to the United Nations Environment Programme and GRID-Arendal in Norway. Environmental Protection Agency, is the industry will shift to burning plastics as waste or as fuel. Environmental Protection Agency, is the industry will shift to burning plastics as waste or as fuel. The international Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development says the share of plastic waste that is successfully recycled is projected to rise to 17% in 2060 from 9% in 2019 if no additional policies are enacted to restrain plastic demand and enhance recycling, but that wouldn't begin to keep up with the projected growth in plastic waste. Lee Bell, a policy advisor for the International Pollutants Elimination Network, thinks chemical recycling is a public relations exercise by the petrochemical industry. With more ambitious policies, the amount of plastic waste that is recycled could rise to 40% to 60%, according to OECD. The purpose is to dissuade regulators from capping plastics production. Two groups working to reduce plastic pollution, the Last Beach Clean Up and Beyond Plastics, estimated that the U. Making plastic could become even more important to the fossil fuel industry as climate change puts pressure on their transportation fuels, Bell said.S. The industry has made roughly 11 billion metric tons of plastic since 1950, with half of that produced since 2006, according to industrial ecologist Roland Geyer. rate for recycling plastic waste in 2021 was even lower — 5% to 6%, after China stopped accepting other countries' waste in 2018. The U. The international Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development says the share of plastic waste that is successfully recycled is projected to rise to 17% in 2060 from 9% in 2019 if no additional policies are enacted to restrain plastic demand and enhance recycling, but that wouldn't begin to keep up with the projected growth in plastic waste. The international Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development says the share of plastic waste that is successfully recycled is projected to rise to 17% in 2060 from 9% in 2019 if no additional policies are enacted to restrain plastic demand and enhance recycling, but that wouldn't begin to keep up with the projected growth in plastic waste. The international Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development says the share of plastic waste that is successfully recycled is projected to rise to 17% in 2060 from 9% in 2019 if no additional policies are enacted to restrain plastic demand and enhance recycling, but that wouldn’t begin to keep up with the projected growth in plastic waste. S. national recycling strategy says no option, including chemical recycling, should be ruled out. Two groups working to reduce plastic pollution, the Last Beach Clean Up and Beyond Plastics, estimated that the U. The way to think of these new plants, the industry says, is as manufacturing plants.S. They should be legally defined that way, and not as waste management. rate for recycling plastic waste in 2021 was even lower — 5% to 6%, after China stopped accepting other countries' waste in 2018. About 20 states have adopted laws in the past five years consistent with that wish. The U. Opponents say it’s a way to skirt the more stringent environmental regulations that apply to waste management facilities.S.S. EXISTING PLANTS The U.S. The way to think of these new plants, the industry says, is as manufacturing plants. facilities currently recycling plastic into new plastic are small — the largest is a 60-ton-per-day plant in Akron, Ohio, Alterra Energy, according to the ACC. They should be legally defined that way, and not as waste management. Alterra Energy says it takes in the hard-to-recycle plastics, like flexible pouches, multi-layered films and rigid plastics from automobiles — everything except plastic water bottles since those are recycled mechanically, or plastics marked with a “3” since they contain polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. About 20 states have adopted laws in the past five years consistent with that wish. About 20 states have adopted laws in the past five years consistent with that wish. “Our mission is to solve plastic pollution,” said Jeremy DeBenedictis, company president. “That is not just a tag line. EXISTING PLANTS The U. EXISTING PLANTS The U. We all truly want to solve plastic pollution.” The Ohio facility typically takes in 40 tons to 50 tons per day, heating and liquifying the plastic to turn it back into an oil or hydrocarbon liquid, about 10,000 gallons to 12,000 gallons daily. facilities currently recycling plastic into new plastic are small — the largest is a 60-ton-per-day plant in Akron, Ohio, Alterra Energy, according to the ACC. About 75% of what comes into the facility can be liquified like that. Alterra Energy says it takes in the hard-to-recycle plastics, like flexible pouches, multi-layered films and rigid plastics from automobiles — everything except plastic water bottles since those are recycled mechanically, or plastics marked with a “3” since they contain polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. Alterra Energy says it takes in the hard-to-recycle plastics, like flexible pouches, multi-layered films and rigid plastics from automobiles — everything except plastic water bottles since those are recycled mechanically, or plastics marked with a “3” since they contain polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. Another 15% is turned into a synthetic natural gas to heat the process, while the remainder — paper, metals, dyes, inks and colorants — exit the reactor as a byproduct, or carbon char, DeBenedictis said. “Our mission is to solve plastic pollution,” said Jeremy DeBenedictis, company president. The char is disposed of as nonhazardous waste, though in the future some hope to sell it to the asphalt industry. The process doesn’t involve oxygen so there’s no combustion or incineration of plastics, DeBenedictis said, and their product is trucked as a synthetic oil to petrochemical companies, essentially the “building blocks on a molecular level for new plastic production. We all truly want to solve plastic pollution. We all truly want to solve plastic pollution." The materials they take in, that haven't been able to be recycled until now, should not be sent to landfills, dumped in the ocean or incinerated, DeBenedictis said. “That next level has to be a new technology, what you call chemical recycling or advanced recycling. About 75% of what comes into the facility can be liquified like that. About 75% of what comes into the facility can be liquified like that. That’s the next frontier,” he said. Another 15% is turned into a synthetic natural gas to heat the process, while the remainder — paper, metals, dyes, inks and colorants — exit the reactor as a byproduct, or carbon char, DeBenedictis said. “Let’s not kid ourselves here. The char is disposed of as nonhazardous waste, though in the future some hope to sell it to the asphalt industry. This is the right time to do it,” added company CEO Fred Schmuck. “There is absolutely no way we can meet our climate goals without addressing plastic waste." The materials they take in, that haven't been able to be recycled until now, should not be sent to landfills, dumped in the ocean or incinerated, DeBenedictis said." The materials they take in, that haven't been able to be recycled until now, should not be sent to landfills, dumped in the ocean or incinerated, DeBenedictis said.” DeBenedictis said he’s licensing the technology to try to grow the industry because that’s the “best way to make the quickest impact to the world. “That next level has to be a new technology, what you call chemical recycling or advanced recycling. ” A Finnish oil and gas company, Neste, is currently working to commercialize Alterra’s technology in Europe. That’s the next frontier,” he said. The main chemical recycling technologies use pyrolysis, gasification or depolymerization. “Let’s not kid ourselves here. Neil Tangri, the science and policy director at the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, is skeptical. This is the right time to do it,” added company CEO Fred Schmuck. He says he has been hearing that pyrolysis is going to change everything since the 1990s, but it hasn’t happened. Instead, plastic production keeps climbing.” DeBenedictis said he’s licensing the technology to try to grow the industry because that’s the “best way to make the quickest impact to the world.” DeBenedictis said he’s licensing the technology to try to grow the industry because that’s the “best way to make the quickest impact to the world.” DeBenedictis said he’s licensing the technology to try to grow the industry because that’s the “best way to make the quickest impact to the world. GAIA views chemical recycling as a false solution that will facilitate greater production of virgin plastic — a high-energy process with high-carbon emissions that releases hazardous air pollutants, Tangri said. Instead, GAIA wants plastic production to be dramatically scaled back and only recyclable plastics to be produced. The main chemical recycling technologies use pyrolysis, gasification or depolymerization. “Nobody needs more plastic,” Tangri said. Neil Tangri, the science and policy director at the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, is skeptical. “We keep trying to solve these production problems with recycling when really we need to change how much we make and what we make. He says he has been hearing that pyrolysis is going to change everything since the 1990s, but it hasn’t happened. That’s where the solution lies. Instead, plastic production keeps climbing. ” EQUITY ISSUES IN CITING PLANTS In Rhode Island, state lawmakers considered a bill this year to exempt such facilities from solid waste licensing requirements. GAIA views chemical recycling as a false solution that will facilitate greater production of virgin plastic — a high-energy process with high-carbon emissions that releases hazardous air pollutants, Tangri said. GAIA views chemical recycling as a false solution that will facilitate greater production of virgin plastic — a high-energy process with high-carbon emissions that releases hazardous air pollutants, Tangri said. It was vigorously opposed by environmental activists and residents near the port of Providence who feared it would lead to a new plant in their neighborhood. State environmental officials sided with them. “Nobody needs more plastic,” Tangri said. Monica Huertas, executive director of The People’s Port Authority, helped lead the opposition. “We keep trying to solve these production problems with recycling when really we need to change how much we make and what we make. The neighborhood is already overburdened by industry, she said, so much so that she sometimes has asthma attacks after walking around. That’s where the solution lies. That’s where the solution lies. Dwayne Keys said it’s unfair that he and his neighbors always have to be on guard for proposals like these, unlike residents in some of the state’s wealthy, white neighborhoods. The port area has enough environmental hazards that residents don't benefit from economically, he added. It was vigorously opposed by environmental activists and residents near the port of Providence who feared it would lead to a new plant in their neighborhood. It was vigorously opposed by environmental activists and residents near the port of Providence who feared it would lead to a new plant in their neighborhood. Keys calls it environmental racism. “The assessment is, we're the path of least resistance,” he said. Monica Huertas, executive director of The People’s Port Authority, helped lead the opposition. “Not that there's no resistance, but the least. The neighborhood is already overburdened by industry, she said, so much so that she sometimes has asthma attacks after walking around. The neighborhood is already overburdened by industry, she said, so much so that she sometimes has asthma attacks after walking around. We're a coalition of individuals volunteering our time. Dwayne Keys said it’s unfair that he and his neighbors always have to be on guard for proposals like these, unlike residents in some of the state’s wealthy, white neighborhoods. We don't have wealth or access to resources or the legal means, as opposed to our white counterparts in higher income, higher net worth communities.” The chemistry council's Baca said the facilities operate at the highest standards, the industry believes everyone deserves clear air and water, and he would invite any detractors to one of the facilities so they can see that firsthand. Keys calls it environmental racism. Keys calls it environmental racism. U.S. “Not that there's no resistance, but the least. “Not that there’s no resistance, but the least. plastics producers have said they will recycle or recover all plastic packaging used in the United States by 2040, and have already announced more than $7 billion in investments in both mechanical and chemical recycling. We're a coalition of individuals volunteering our time. “I think we are on the cusp of a sustainability revolution where circularity will be the centerpiece of that,” Baca said. We don't have wealth or access to resources or the legal means, as opposed to our white counterparts in higher income, higher net worth communities. “And innovative technologies like advanced recycling will be what makes this possible.” Kate O’Neill wrote the book on waste, called “Waste. U. U.” A professor in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management at the University of California, Berkeley, she has thought a lot about whether chemical recycling should be part of the solution to the plastic crisis.S. She said she has concluded yes, even though she knows saying so would “piss off the environmentalists. plastics producers have said they will recycle or recover all plastic packaging used in the United States by 2040, and have already announced more than $7 billion in investments in both mechanical and chemical recycling.” “With some of these big problems,” she said, “we can’t rule anything out. “I think we are on the cusp of a sustainability revolution where circularity will be the centerpiece of that,” Baca said.” ___ Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. “And innovative technologies like advanced recycling will be what makes this possible. See more about AP’s climate initiative . The AP is solely responsible for all content.” A professor in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management at the University of California, Berkeley, she has thought a lot about whether chemical recycling should be part of the solution to the plastic crisis.” A professor in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management at the University of California, Berkeley, she has thought a lot about whether chemical recycling should be part of the solution to the plastic crisis.” A professor in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management at the University of California, Berkeley, she has thought a lot about whether chemical recycling should be part of the solution to the plastic crisis. Advertisement .