As part of its effort to harmonize laws and industry practices, APR has asked the Federal Trade Commission to update its so-called “Green Guide.” | | DCStock Photography / Shutterstock
Industry policy experts predict that the federal bottle bill, broader producer responsibility legislation, and pressure on single-use plastics will all be in future plastic legislation.
This insight comes from the Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR), Update on Plastic Recycling Laws. webinar Held on October 19th. Bruce Magnani, Vice President and Partner, Houston Magnani & Associates. APR’s program his director, Kate Eagles.
Federal Update
Karakitsos is APR’s legislative representative at the federal level, and as Congress turns its attention to elections, most recycling activity has come from federal agencies in the past few months, she said.
For example, the State Department Proposed treaty Regarding plastic pollution, which would be a legally binding instrument, the US EPA has developed a national recycling strategy, Flesh Two new grant programs, the Solid Waste Infrastructure Program for Recycling and the Recycling Education and Outreach Program.
Karakitsos said it is also tracking moves by the Department of General Services and the Home Office to reduce the purchase and distribution of single-use plastics within the government system.
“This was an important advance notice involving the APR because the general premise of the proposal was that it would be very easy to ban certain plastic products from governments,” Karakitsos said. says. “Obviously, it won’t be easy, so our comments focus on the need to mainstream reclaimed plastic materials to foster successful and robust recycling systems. confirmed.”
Additionally, APR is lobbying the Federal Trade Commission to update its “green guide,” she added.
As far as bills submitted in the first half of 2022 are concerned, Karakitsos said he is looking at two bills that passed the Senate on July 28. 3743, the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act, requires EPA administrators to improve recycling and composting programs.
Both have bipartisan support but have not made headway. Karakitsos said if they continue to decline they will need to be resubmitted for a new legislative session next year.
Finally, Karakissos said Oregon Senator Jeff Markley is drafting a nationwide bottle bill that will likely be introduced within the first 100 days of the next congressional session. said.
What’s New in California
Magnani is APR’s legislative representative in California and is focused on rulemaking, particularly the extended producer responsibility bill, he said. SB54and the bottle return expansion, SB1013.
“SB 54 has a huge opportunity. Everything should not be seen as a hurdle or difficulty,” he said.
Overall, he tracked over 70 bills in 2022, with several standout bills failing along with SB 54 and SB 1013 AB 2026exercised the power of veto, which would have enacted a ban on e-retailer packaging/bags AB2784 thermoforming and AB1046It requires grocery store pre-checkout bags to be household compostable or paper by 2025.
“We are very pleased with our advocacy work in this state budget,” Magnani said, adding that expiring payments for the plastics market development have been reinstated and $10 million will be available in the next funding cycle. , with $3 million allocated for each of the next two cycles, “will continue to help cover the cost of recycling.”
He predicted that chemical recycling would continue to be a hot topic, and said he had heard rumors that the rejected thermoforming bill would be reintroduced. He also discusses possible bans on PVC packaging, PS packaging, PETG (a variant of his PET modified with glycol), oxo-degradable additives, non-detectable pigments, problematic labels, adhesives and inks. I’m listening.
Magnani said California’s legislative environment is also fluid. This is because “there will be a significant turnover of legislators over the next six years.”
More than 30 incumbent lawmakers will be out of office by the end of this year, he said, due to redistricting and resignations. By 2028, all parliamentarians from 2021 will be replaced and players in the game will change, Magnani said.
“California can be a challenging environment for business, to put it bluntly here,” he said. “It’s basically a one-party dictatorship.”
What’s New in the Pacific Northwest
APR’s Eagles highlighted Washington State’s Recycling, Waste and Waste Reduction Act and Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act.
Washington State Recycling, Waste and Waste Reduction Act, SB 5022, passed it It will be introduced in 2021 and is currently in the rulemaking stage. Eagles said APR is heavily involved on its rulemaking advisory committee, and some of the topics hashed include terms and definitions, how producer fees are set, and how states can determine PCR content/compliance and technical realization. It’s a way of recognizing potential.
Washington is also likely to resubmit the EPR bill next year, she added. We’re screwed Attempt.
Oregon Recycling Modernization Act Enacted It is scheduled for 2021 and is in the rulemaking stage. Eagles pointed out that part of the law requires the state’s Department of Environmental Quality to specify a list of two materials by regulation.
DEQ is “very receptive” to APR’s input, Eagles said.
Eagles said there are four categories of items the state board is trying to decide where to place: bulky plastics, nursery packaging such as pots and trays, Styrofoam, and PET thermoforming.
For now, she said, the state appears to be leaning toward excluding Thermoform from both lists and waiting for the domestic market to grow.
“To be honest, this was a disappointing result for us,” said the Eagles. “It’s a good and clear source, but it has undeniable challenges, so we’re taking a closer look at it.”
The rulemaking committee has until September 2023 to develop a rule for state consideration.
