Lawmakers in the US state of New Jersey have introduced ambitious draft legislation aimed at curbing plastic waste at source. The bill proposes strict source-reduction targets for plastic packaging, bans several hazardous chemicals in packaging materials, and legally defines chemical recycling technologies—such as pyrolysis and gasification—as "disposal" rather than recycling.
This legislative push represents a significant battleground in global plastics policy. While petrochemical companies and some industry groups champion chemical recycling as a vital solution for hard-to-recycle mixed plastics, environmental advocates argue the processes are highly carbon-intensive and perpetuate fossil fuel reliance. By classifying these technologies as disposal, the New Jersey bill would strip them of recycling credits and green incentives, potentially setting a precedent for other jurisdictions.
For UK waste management firms and Turkish plastics recyclers, this US development reflects a broader international regulatory debate. The European Union is currently grappling with similar definitions under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), particularly regarding mass-balance accounting for chemical recycling. If major US states successfully label chemical recycling as disposal, multinational consumer brands may harmonise their global packaging strategies to avoid these technologies. This would solidify the market dominance and long-term value of high-quality mechanical recycling. Turkish exporters of rPET and rPP, who rely heavily on mechanical processes, stand to benefit if global brand owners continue to prioritise mechanically recycled polymers over chemically processed alternatives.
The practical takeaway for UK and Turkish operators is to maintain focus and investment in advanced mechanical sorting and decontamination technologies. Relying on chemical recycling as a future safety net for low-grade mixed plastics carries growing regulatory and reputational risks as policy frameworks tighten globally.
