Chemical Recycling, A Waste Diversion Strategy for Lubricant Containers In The US

When we think of plastic recycling many envision a mechanical process. However, the attention towards the use of chemicals to turn plastic waste back into base chemicals and chemical feedstocks continues to gain traction as a more mainstream option in the US.

Early last week, the U.S. EPA released its National Recycling Strategy. This is a road map for how the country is aiming to achieve a 50% recycling rate by 2030.

One of the takeaways of the Strategy is the new emphasis on circular economy considerations. The Strategy also mentions a new aim to reduce climate impacts from the production, consumption, use, and disposal of materials which represent about half of the global greenhouse emissions. This Strategy aligns with President Biden’s commitment to reduce net GHG emissions by 52% by 2030.

Another takeaway is the deliberate “call out” of chemical recycling as a waste diversion strategy. The chemical processes often use pyrolysis to break plastics down to their molecular level to produce new plastic products or fuels. These processes have the potential to dramatically improve recycling rates and divert plastic waste from landfills or incineration.

The pyrolysis process for plastic renewal has been proven to have massive benefits. Plastic renewal through chemical recycling provides 46% water use and 82% energy use reductions, as well as 39% to 139% reduction in carbon footprint than equivalent products made from virgin inputs. 

Currently, in the US, the National Lubricant Recycling Coalition (NLCRC) is working towards redesigning the economy of the lubricant container post-consumer use, as well as, looking to establish a program that recovers and recycles plastic packaging used to transport lubricants for commercial and consumer use.

Post-consumer lubricant containers are currently deemed not recycled, and those that are collected are often later incinerated or landfilled due to their lack of market value. To begin the transition towards creating a market from these materials, the NLCRC is working to launch a pilot project in a market in the US to demonstrate an understanding of market dynamics by partnering with service providers and retailers, collection companies, recycling companies, and other critical stakeholders to then scale recycling solutions to lubricant containers and incorporating chemical recycling as a strategy for the recycling lubricant containers into post-consumer recycled content.  

Plastic renewal through chemical recycling is a world-changing technology, which will help the US keep its natural resources in use through the circular economy, while the need to extract fossil fuels for plastics production and the emission of GHC is reduced.

From industries to households, everyone has an essential role in reducing the lubricant container waste problem in the US. The NLCRC founding leaders include Castrol, Valvoline, Pennzoil - Quaker State Company, Graham Packaging, and Plastipak Packaging. 

Learn how the NLCRC is addressing the waste problem by becoming a member. Connect with us through LinkedIn and Twitter. If you have any questions or inquires, send us an email at hello@nationallcrc.com. 

 1According to a life cycle analysis performed by Brightmark on its pyrolysis process