Recycling lawsuits, bad. Circular economy, & new infrastructure, good | September Newsletter

Recycling industry news

Our top news picks from September:

• CNN: California sues ExxonMobil for alleged decades of deception around plastic recycling, in first-of-its-kind lawsuit
• Morningstar: U.S. Plastics Pact Accelerates Movement Toward Circular Economy with Updated Report on Problematic and Unnecessary Materials
• Reuters: US SEC hits Keurig with $1.5 mln fine over pod recyclability statements
• PRNewswire: Blue Polymers Breaks Ground on Recycled Plastics Production Facility in Buckeye, Arizona
• Climate Group: It’s Time – for the highlights of Climate Week NYC

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California sues ExxonMobil for alleged decades of deception around plastic recycling, in first-of-its-kind lawsuit

The lawsuit argues that the company misled the public about the recyclability of plastics and its own advanced recycling program, and seeks damages for the plastic pollution in California.

✅  Our take:

The promise of recycling may indeed have contributed to exponential growth of virgin plastic production. But recycling is not a myth and not all plastics are made equal. Unquestionably, more must be done to stem plastic pollution, including curbing virgin production, eliminating hard-to-recycle plastics, and increasing recycling. 

U.S. Plastics Pact Accelerates Movement Toward Circular Economy with Updated Report on Problematic and Unnecessary Materials

USPP’s latest report stresses the need to eliminate problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging items. The report describes how material and design changes, increased recovering, and improved quality of recycled plastics can help accelerate the transition to a circular economy. 

✅  Our take:

The clear definition and list developed by USPP is a critical step in the transition. In line with the report, leading brands, like Apple, Home Depot, and agriculture giant Yara, are already reaching milestones in eliminating hard-to-recycle plastics and increasing recycled content.

US SEC hits Keurig with $1.5 mln fine over pod recyclability statements

The SEC charged Keurig Dr Pepper with making inaccurate claims about the recyclability of its single-use coffee pods - which had received negative feedback from two of the biggest US recycling companies. The company agreed to pay a $1.5 million penalty to settle the charges.

✅  Our take:

Pressure is rising against companies that make light of recycling claims. More transparency, dialogue, and investment is needed to support robust recycling value chains, as discussed below. 

Blue Polymers Breaks Ground on Recycled Plastics Production Facility in Buckeye, Arizona

Construction started this month on a new recycled plastics production facility in Arizona. The recycling center is expected to deliver “high-quality, drop-in recycled” PE and PP for the packaging industry, starting in 2025. The center is part of a larger planned network of facilities to be paired with Republic Services Polymer Centers. 

✅  Our take:

We’re encouraged to see investment in recycling infrastructure, including LyondellBasell’s opening of an end-of-life vehicle (ELV) recycling center, and an uptick in certified recycled content, with 50% more companies receiving US FDA letters of no objection (LNOs) in the 1st half of 2024 vs. the previous semester.

It’s Time – for the highlights of Climate Week NYC

Climate Week NYC 2024 took place in the city from September 22-29. The week’s highlights are summarized by the organizers here, with the key message coming out of the meetings being: “It’s time”.  

✅  Our take:

While the organizers tout that this year’s was their biggest ever event, sadly there’s little to show for it. Besides the announcement about California suing Exxon Mobil, it was “a lot of hype but not much action.”