Page 20 - Plastics News Issue - January 2025
P. 20
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
Trump Tariffs Could Take Toll on
Recycled Plastics Ecosystem
regional recycling flows. Chemi-
cal recycling is slowly progress-
ing, but economic pressures
have delayed some investments.
New facilities from Blue Poly-
mers, Nova Chemicals, and oth-
ers will expand capacity but may
strain feedstock supply. Inflation
and economic uncertainty could
lead to flat consumer demand
for recycled plastics, complicat-
ing efforts to meet 2025 sus-
tainability targets. Coca-Cola’s
recent decision to scale back its
he recycling market in 2025 faces signifi- recycled content goals reflects broader industry
cant hurdles due to trade uncertainty, new
Tcapacity, and sluggish consumer demand. challenges, as cost pressures and competition
with virgin resin continue to impact progress on
US protectionist policies threaten the rPET indus-
try, which relies on imports from Asia and Latin sustainability commitments.
America to balance feedstock shortages, while Source: - Plastic Today
proposed tariffs could disrupt North American
Dubai bans plastic straws, expanded
polystyrene foam food containers
ubai has intensified its efforts to curb nounced in late 2023, aims to protect the en-
single-use plastic consumption with a vironment and promote sustainable practices.
Dsecond phase of bans effective January Initially, single-use plastic bags were banned on
1, 2025. This phase includes prohibitions on plas- January 1, 2024, followed by a June 2024 ban
tic straws, stirrers, cotton swabs, table covers, on non-plastic single-use products, including sin-
cups, and expanded polystyrene foam contain- gle-use bags. From January 1, 2026, the ban will
ers commonly used for takeout. extend to additional items such as plastic plates,
food containers, tableware, and beverage cups
The regulation, part of a three-phase plan an- with plastic lids.
20 PLASTICS NEWS January 2025
