The National Lubricant Container Recycling Coalition (NLCRC), an industry-led technical coalition, is working towards building solutions for post-consumer recovery and recycling of plastic lubricant containers in the US. 

It is known that landfill disposal of plastics represents a threat to the environment and is perceived by many as a global health issue. With rising social awareness around plastic waste, driven by increased research and media coverage, many are demanding immediate action. Governments play a major role in helping to create a new circular economy where plastic waste is minimized and 2022 has the potential to be an eventful year for recycling policy and ESG initiatives in the US. 

So far, recycling legislation in 2022 has been moving forward quickly. For Postconsumer Recycled (PCR) legislation, the state of New Jersey passed SB 2515 bill into law earlier this year. This bill establishes a minimum recycled content standard for diverse types of containers such as glass containers, paper carryout bags, plastic trash bags, reusable carryout bags that are made of plastic film, and plastic containers.

For Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Legislation, in just 3 months into 2022, 19 bills are in progress in 12 different states, which have the potential to become laws during this legislative year. These bills are:  

• Connecticut: SB 115

• Hawaii: SB 3246, HB 2399, and HB 1684

• Illinois: HB 4258 and SB 3953

• Kentucky: HB 108

• Maryland: SB 0292 and HB 0307

• New Jersey: AB 1444

• New York: AB 5801 and S1185

• Pennsylvania: HB 1873

• Rhode Island HB 7279

• Vermont: S 0236 and HB 142

• Virginia: HB 918

• Washington: HB 2003, and SB 5697

For chemical recycling legislation, 5 bills were introduced earlier this year, and as of the middle of March, the S 525 bill has become law in the state of South Carolina. The rest of the bills are:

• West Virginia: HB 4084

• Missouri: SB 1115

• Alabama: SB 131

• Kentucky: HB 45

This legislation movement represents an opportunity for the lubricant container industry to move forward under a unified approach and bring the change needed for the recycling of hard-to-degrade plastics such as lubricant containers. 

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, Plastipak Packaging, Berry Global, the Petroleum Packaging Council, and Chevron.

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 inquiries, send us an email at hello@nationallcrc.com.