President Donald Trump declared America was going “BACK TO PLASTIC!” and signed an executive order reversing the previous Administration’s restrictions on plastic straws across the federal government. We hope this is the start of an overdue national conversation on the essential role plastic plays in supporting a strong economy and American jobs.
This isn’t just about swapping soggy straws for the OGs. The executive order is a welcome step toward greater recognition of plastic’s unmatched utility in our everyday lives and the need to keep American innovation, jobs, and leadership right here at home.
Plastic helps power the U.S. economy, employing nearly 700,000 Americans and supporting key industries—healthcare, computer chips, transportation, construction and more.
American manufacturers rely on a steady domestic supply of plastic to manage costs and improve efficiency. In fact, plastic supports over 26% of all U.S. manufacturing, making products lighter, stronger and more sustainable and affordable.
But in recent years, overlapping and redundant regulations have made it harder and more costly to innovate and manufacture here at home, pushing production overseas. By removing barriers, the President can help make it easier for America’s plastic makers to deliver the materials that drive the greater American economy and our global competitiveness – all while reducing plastic waste here at home.
Our industry is innovating in manufacturing and remanufacturing plastics – making systems more efficient and designing products to be more recyclable. Technologies like advanced recycling also allow us to take plastic items—like straws and pouches—and remanufacture them into new materials, reducing waste and the need for new raw materials.
America’s plastic makers are committed to maintaining strong investments in research and development to further technologies like advanced recycling.
Building a strong domestic plastic manufacturing base means more American jobs, stronger supply chains and more recycled plastic. President Trump’s Executive Order is a welcome first step.
