California Rep. Lou Correa introduced a resolution in December calling on manufacturers to redesign packaging with recyclability in mind, saying advances in collection and processing technology aren’t enough to meet waste-reduction goals.
The initiatives outlined in the Design for Recycling Resolution highlight the importance of selecting recyclable materials and refining product design for end-of-life recovery, enabling manufacturers to meet consumer demand for sustainable products.
“It requires more education, greater investments, more robust infrastructure and working alongside manufacturers to design products with recyclability at the forefront,” he said, adding, “This is how we’ll achieve our recycling goals, create more jobs and further jumpstart the American economy.
The resolution also acknowledges the advancements that have been made in the recycling industry, particularly their contributions to the US economy through job creation, revenue, taxes, and the recovery of materials.
“Design for recycling is one of the five requirements for an effective recycling system. If we don’t put materials that can be recycled into the system, the system won’t deliver the returns we expect from it,” said Anthony Tusino, Senior Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs at The Recycling Partnership.
Along with The Recycling Partnership, numerous other industry organizations endorsed the measure, including the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA), American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA), US Composting Council, US Chamber of Commerce, Glass Packaging Institute (GPI), American Institute for Packaging and the Environment (AMERIPEN), SA Recycling, Just Zero, World Wildlife Fund, Ocean Conservancy, Can Manufacturers Institute, National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) and American Cleaning Institute (ACI).
“Ensuring compostability increases even more the impact that organic recycling can have on the U.S. economy,” said Linda Norris-Waldt, US Composting Council executive director, in a statement.
Scott Breen, president of the Can Manufacturers Institute, commented that “continued use of high amounts of recycled content and adherence to design guides for recyclability will help keep materials in circulation, protect the environment and create American jobs.”
Representatives Young Kim (R-CA) and Joe Morelle (D-NY) co-sponsored the resolution.
