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internAtionAL news

AmSty and Agilyx to develop Canberra bans single-use plastics

advanced recycling facility as laws pass ACT Assembly

merican polystyrene producer AmSty has partnered aws banning single-use plastics in Canberra have
Awith recycling firm Agilyx to build an advanced Lpassed the ACT Legislative Assembly, and businesses
recycling facility in Louisiana. The companies will develop could be fined up to $40,000 if they flout the rules.The
the facility, which will have the capacity to recycle 50t Plastic Reduction Bill 2020 passed the ACT Legislative
to 100t a day, at AmSty’s Styrene production facility in Assembly delivering a framework for progressively
St James.This facility will be an expansion of Agilyx’s phasing out single-use plastics over time. The ACT is the
advanced recycling technology, which is used at the parties’ second jurisdiction in Australia, after SA, to take this
step, with the first tranche of products to be banned
from 1 July including plastic cutlery, drink stirrers and
expanded polystyrene containers. In 2022, the ACT
Government will seek to phase out a second tranche
of single-use plastic items such as straws, barrier bags
for fruit and vegetables, and all products made from
degradable plastic. According to Minister for Transport
and City Services, Chris Steel, exemptions will be
carefully designed to ensure people who need to use
straws will still be able to access and use them. Items
such as plastic-lined single-use coffee cups and lids,
single-use plastic dinnerware, boutique or heavyweight
Regenyx joint venture in Tigard, Oregon.The companies plastic bags, and cotton ear buds with plastic sticks
are conducting a feasibility study for the project ahead of remain under consideration for future phase outs
its construction and commissioning. A consortium named from 2023 onwards. “Canberrans are already some
Cyclyx, of which AmSty is a founding member, will supply of the nation’s best recyclers and we know this shift
feedstock for the new facility. AmSty president and CEO away from single-use plastics is strongly supported
Dr Randy Pogue said: “Polystyrene is an ideal material for by the Canberra community,” Mr Steel said.“It’s been
the future of recycling.“Not only can polystyrene products fantastic to see that so many local businesses have
offer sustainability advantages where less material is already made the switch to more sustainable materials,
required, but polystyrene is particularly advantageous reflecting our community’s values. “Now we are making
for advanced recycling because it can be ‘unzipped’ back sure there is a level playing field for all businesses by
to its original liquid form, styrene monomer, using 40% banning the sale and use of cheap single-use plastics
less energy than other polymers. “As the global plastics
industry moves toward circular recycling to build value and
grow access, polystyrene becomes very attractive as a first
mover with its inherent conversion advantages. AmSty is
committed to keeping polystyrene products out of landfills
through circular recycling. “We are excited to expand our
relationship with Agilyx in this new project to accelerate
progress.” Agilyx CEO Tim Stedman said: “Development
of this technology has picked up over the past decade,
and it is time to reach a larger scale. “We have been which do so much harm to our environment,” he said.
operating Regenyx with AmSty since 2019 and are pleased According to Mr Steel, this legislative and regulatory
to expand our relationship toward a much larger facility change is an important part of making Canberra a more
at St James. Joining AmSty as a co-investor underlines sustainable city as it grows. It will see every Canberran
our commitment to accelerating the implementation of and local business taking practical action towards the
our advanced recycling technology and licensing model. development of a circular economy.

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