The APR market development committee discussed how to approach policy and PCR implementation. | Praethip Docekalova/Shutterstock
The key to implementing effective recycling legislation is to adopt a collaborative, regionally tailored approach, according to a policy expert at the fall member meeting of the Association of Plastic Recyclers.
Each state has unique needs, priorities and market conditions to consider when devising laws to encourage adoption of PCR, said Kate Bailey, chief policy officer at APR. APR owns Resource Recycling, Inc., publisher of Plastics Recycling Update.
Bailey addressed the market development committee during the meeting, which took place Oct. 22-24 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
She added that developing model policies and legislative proposals that can be adapted to suit regional contexts helps avoid the pitfalls of a one-size-fits-all approach. For example, one state may respond better to mandates, while another may prefer setting out procurement requirements.
Brand owners at the meeting reiterated that inexpensive virgin resin is a significant roadblock to implementing PCR.
“I don’t have that magic wand to change the price of virgin yet,” Bailey said, but “we’re working on some ideas and some solutions.”
Among the tools currently available to build demand are mandates. States including California, New Jersey and Washington have passed such legislation, but APR wants to see more, Bailey said.
“We’re seeing states taking action through their standalone laws, and we’re also seeing states taking action in combination with EPR,” she said.
Bailey also pointed out that if PCR demand is going to increase, the conversation must move beyond beverage containers and trash bags, for example, which represent only a small fraction of potential markets. When speaking with legislators in encouraging EPR bills, she tells them that everywhere people see plastic is an opportunity to recycle plastic.
She went on to challenge the committee’s “Demand Champions” working group to determine where they as an industry want to see more PCR – in what products and at what rates – because states are asking. And “this year, we’re coming up with an answer” to that question, she said. “We want to go to states and say, ‘here is what we would like to see as businesses on the ground.'”
Global plastics treaty update
In a separate session, APR leaders provided their thoughts on what lies ahead for the global plastics treaty, whose fifth and final meeting will take place Nov. 25-Dec. 1 in South Korea.
In the near future, countries will begin to ratify the treaty, according to APR, and build out national action plans including EPR schemes for packaging. Problematic plastics will be phased out, there will be increased emphasis on designing for circularity standards and chemicals of concern will face more regulation.
There will be greater global harmonization of standards, and regulations, data and reporting will continue to be at the forefront of the plastics industry, according to the APR presentation.