According to the company’s website press release on April 21, 2023, 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.”
American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division
The American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division represents America’s Plastic MakersSM and the half million+ scientists, engineers, technicians, and other innovators who make plastics for many essential and lifesaving products that are vital to modern life. America’s Plastic Makers continue to embrace change. We’re linking innovation with sustainability, deploying next generation technologies to make plastics lighter, stronger, more efficient and more recyclable, so we can meet our goal for 100% of U.S. plastic packaging to be reused, recycled, or recovered by 2040. We’re making sustainable change to help build a cleaner, safer, more sustainable future for generations to come.
American Chemistry Council
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the multibillion-dollar business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products, technologies and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health, safety and security performance through Responsible Care®; common sense advocacy addressing major public policy issues; and health and environmental research and product testing. ACC members and chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development, and are advancing products, processes and technologies to address climate change, enhance air and water quality, and progress toward a more sustainable, circular economy.
