Problematic Plastics - What You Need to Know
In January, the U.S. Plastics Pact released several plastic packaging items in its Problematic and Unnecessary Materials list that are currently not being reusable, recyclable, or compostable at scale in the United States, and likely will not be by 2025.
The U.S. Pact announced the list as a first step to speed up circular economy strategies for plastic in the country. The list includes:
Cutlery, straws, and stirrers (that are non-reusable, non-recyclable, or non-compostable).
Intentionally added Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).
Non-detectable pigments such as carbon black.
Opaque or pigmented PET (any color other than transparent blue or green).
Oxo-Degradable Additives, including oxo-biodegradable additives.
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) in rigid packaging.
Labels made from problematic materials or that use adhesives, inks, materials, or specificities features that makes a package detrimental or non-recyclable as defined in the APR Design Guide.
PS – Polystyrene, including EPS (Expanded Polystyrene).
PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride, including PVDC (Polyvinylidene Chloride).
The U.S. Pact is broad and includes most types of packaging but has its caveats and nuances. As for now, pigmented High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) packaging is not on the list given the scope of the U.S. Plastics Pact. However, the lubricant containers non-recyclability and non-reusability is a critical problem for the U.S.
The end-of-life management of the lubricant containers is of high relevance due to the increment of the number of difficult degradation types of plastics that end up in landfills and the low rate of acceptance by recycling facilities.
Therefore, the NLCRC is working to launch a pilot project in a market in the US to demonstrate an understanding of market dynamics. This will be possible due to the partnerships being made with service providers and retailers, collection companies, recycling companies, and other critical stakeholders. Additionally, the pilot will incorporate chemical recycling as a strategy for recycling lubricant containers into post-consumer recycled content.
Scaling investments for the post-consumer recovery and recycling of hard-to-degrade plastics future is of importance to address the waste problem within the U.S. and speed up the transition to a circular economy.
From industries to households, everyone has an essential role in reducing the lubricant container waste problem in the US. The NLCRC members include Castrol, Valvoline, Pennzoil - Quaker State Company, Graham Packaging, Plastipak Packaging, and Berry Global.
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.
