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#Sustainability
ProPublica
ProPublica
1y ago 261 views

Plastics Industry Attempts to Redefine 'Recyclable' Amidst FTC Scrutiny

The plastics industry is pushing for a broader definition of what qualifies as 'recyclable' in response to increasing regulatory scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The debate centers around the recyclability of plastic grocery bags and other materials that are often not processed by recycling facilities.
Plastics Industry Attempts to Redefine 'Recyclable' Amidst FTC Scrutiny
A What happened
The plastics industry is pushing for a broader definition of what qualifies as 'recyclable' in response to increasing regulatory scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The debate centers around the recyclability of plastic grocery bags and other materials that are often not processed by recycling facilities.
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Key insights

  • 1

    Industry's Push for Broader Definition

    The plastics industry is lobbying to expand the definition of 'recyclable' to include items that are not commonly accepted by municipal recycling programs. This move is seen as a strategy to counteract negative perceptions and potential regulatory actions.

  • 2

    FTC's Role in Regulating Recyclability Claims

    The FTC is evaluating the validity of recyclability claims made by the plastics industry. This includes examining whether items like plastic grocery bags can be genuinely considered recyclable given the current capabilities of recycling infrastructure.

  • 3

    Impact on Consumers and Recycling Programs

    If the industry's proposed changes are accepted, consumers might be misled into believing that more plastics are recyclable than actually are. This could complicate recycling efforts and increase contamination in recycling streams.

Takeaways

The ongoing debate between the plastics industry and the FTC highlights the complexities of defining what is truly recyclable. The outcome of this debate will have significant implications for both consumer perceptions and the effectiveness of recycling programs.