Government proceedings have had their eyes on the future of plastics, particularly through recycling, bans and a potential tax. Here's a collection of stories from recent weeks where plastics have popped up in public policy.
News
What you need to know about plastics policy
Plastics were in the spotlight from Senate hearings to recycling to bans
Toni Smith, U.S. Geological Survey
Investing $1M to lobby against a resin tax in Washington
All hands are on deck for plastics groups aiming to persuade Congress to drop the proposed resin tax in the $3.5 trillion spending and climate plan from Democrats. Assistant Managing Editor Steve Toloken takes a closer look at the push against the tax.
Agilyx
A Regenyx LLC advanced recycling plant for polystyrene in Tigard, Ore.
EPA opens review of chemical recycling rules
On Sept. 8, EPA opened formal rule-making on chemical recycling, adding that there's confusion surrounding plastics recycling.
Florida eyes ban on PS food packaging
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole Fried is planning a new regulation that would gradually phase out PS packaging in food businesses by 2028 in hopes of joining the six states and 13 U.S. cities that have already banned some kinds of PS packaging.
Material Insights: Plastics recycling policy debated in Senate hearings
A video from earlier this week includes an excerpt from the Sept. 22 U.S. Senate hearing discussing plastics recycling policies, with Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., asking what plastics can learn from paper recycling. You can find that story here.