FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Luke Simmons
Phone: (202) 304-8195
Email: [email protected]
WASHINGTON (December 11, 2025) – The American Chemistry Council (ACC) today praised the introduction of the Recycling Technology Innovation Act (H.R. 6566), introduced by Reps. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) and Gary Palmer (R-Ala.), vice-chair and chair of the House Environment Subcommittee, respectively. The bill aims to provide needed legal clarity for advanced recycling technologies under the Clean Air Act.
Advanced recycling converts used plastic back into molecular building blocks that can be remade into new plastics and other products again and again, helping keep plastic in the economy and out of the environment. Today, 25 states already recognize advanced recycling as manufacturing. By aligning federal and existing state policy, this legislation will help provide the policy certainty needed to unlock additional private sector investment in advanced recycling facilities.
“America wants to recycle more plastic, and this legislation is a smart, practical step that can help us do that,” said Ross Eisenberg, president of America’s Plastic Makers. “Clear policy can help us turn materials we currently throw away into new products, grow American manufacturing, and meet the demand for recycled plastic that brands and consumers want.
The Recycling Technology Innovation Act appropriately clarifies that advanced recycling is not incineration. These modern technologies should be regulated like manufacturing because they take an input — in this case, used plastics — and turn it into new products.
This legislation is a crucial first step in a suite of federal policies needed to spur investments and upgrades in our recycling systems with today’s innovations that can capture, sort and recycle many more plastics. In addition to passing this legislation into law, ACC calls on the federal government to recognize plastics made from advanced recycling as recycled plastic, and to create national recycling standards to improve access and consumer understanding of recycling.
Modernizing and expanding our recycling infrastructure isn’t just smart environmental policy, it’s smart economic policy. A recent ACC economic analysis shows that redirecting 50% of plastics from landfills to recycling could generate nearly $50 billion in new annual economic output and support over 170,000 additional U.S. jobs.
ACC thanks Congressman Crenshaw and Chairman Palmer for their leadership and urges Congress to swiftly pass this bill and send it to President Trump to sign into law.
American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division
The American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division represents America’s Plastic MakersSM and the hundreds of thousands of scientists, engineers and technicians who develop plastics essential to modern life. From healthcare and clean energy to transportation and safe food and water, plastics drive innovation and strengthen the U.S. economy by supporting key industries and creating well-paying jobs. Companies are investing billions annually in U.S. production and recycling, advancing manufacturing and efficiency across economic sectors. We envision a future where all plastic products are reused or recycled, conserving resources and creating a cleaner, safer and more resilient world.
American Chemistry Council
The American Chemistry Council’s mission is to advocate for the people, policy, and products of chemistry that make the United States the global leader in innovation and manufacturing. To achieve this, we: Champion science-based policy solutions across all levels of government; Drive continuous performance improvement to protect employees and communities through Responsible Care®; Foster the development of sustainability practices throughout ACC member companies; and Communicate authentically with communities about challenges and solutions for a safer, healthier and more sustainable way of life. Our vision is a world made better by chemistry, where people live happier, healthier, and more prosperous lives, safely and sustainably—for generations to come.
