The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) applauds the bipartisan, unanimous Senate passage of the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2022 (S. 3742) sponsored by Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act (S.3743) sponsored by Chairman Tom Carper (D-DE).
“Both of these pieces of legislation highlight much-needed improvements to the recycling system in the United States,” said Matt Seaholm, President and CEO of PLASTICS. “Better data and better infrastructure are key to the implementation of successful recycling. More accurate data will tell us exactly where recycling system deficiencies are, and improved infrastructure will aid in more efficient collection, sorting, and recycling of all materials.”
Seaholm testified on June 30, 2022, before the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change as to the PLASTICS Industry’s significant investment in modernization and expansion of technologies to facilitate more effective recycling of materials, more readily available and efficient recovery facilities, and the necessary capabilities to keep up with advancements that have transpired in plastic products over the past twenty years. Seaholm’s testimony before said committee also urged Congress to improve recycling rates by promoting market-end development to maintain a demand for recycled materials and create national standards and definitions relating to recycling.
“The Plastics Industry Association looks forward to working with the U.S. House of Representatives to ensure quick passage of these important measures in hopes that they can be signed into law by the President,” Seaholm concluded.