The Policy Committee of the National Recycling Coalition has published a draft policy called “Chemical Recycling Is Not Recycling” and is seeking review and comment.
The policy includes language stating that non-mechanical processes that convert plastics at the end of life into chemical fuels or fuel feedstocks do not meet NRC’s definition of recycling. State recycling organizations and NRC members can submit feedback on the policy.
“NRC does not support the label of ‘advanced recycling’ or ‘chemical recycling’ for non-mechanical recycling, as doing so creates a totally inappropriate and untruthful distinction between mechanical and non-mechanical recycling processes,” the policy states.
Additionally, NRC doesn’t support any policy in which non-mechanical recycling is considered manufacturing and mechanical recycling isn’t, nor does it support various types of non-mechanical recycling as a means to reduce plastic pollution. NRC said it does support policies that distinguish between recycling – both mechanical and non-mechanical recycling – and solid waste management.
Chemical recycling has been a contentious topic of discussion for years, raising questions surrounding its role, how to regulate the industry and where it fits into the larger circularity sphere.
The committee submitted the policy to the NRC board on June 28, and the board has since approved distributing the policy to state recycling organizations and NRC members for feedback.
A version of this story appeared in Resource Recycling on Sept. 4.
