Page 33 - Plastics News Issue November - 2024

FEATURE NEWS

One size does not fit

all in recycling policy

suit regional contexts
helps avoid the pitfalls
of a one-size-fits-all ap-
proach. For example,
one state may respond
better to mandates,
while another may pre-
fer setting out procure-
ment requirements.

Brand owners at the
meeting reiterated that
inexpensive virgin resin
is a significant road-
block to implementing
PCR.

“I don’t have that mag-
he key to implementing effective recy- ic wand to change the
cling legislation is to adopt a collabora- price of virgin yet,” Bailey said, but “we’re work-
Ttive, regionally tailored approach, accord- ing on some ideas and some solutions.”
ing to a policy expert at the fall member meeting
of the Association of Plastic Recyclers. Among the tools currently available to build de-
mand are mandates. States including California,
Each state has unique needs, priorities and mar- New Jersey and Washington have passed such
ket conditions to consider when devising laws legislation, but APR wants to see more, Bailey
to encourage adoption of PCR, said Kate Bailey, said.
chief policy officer at APR. APR owns Resource
Recycling, Inc., publisher of Plastics Recycling “We’re seeing states taking action through their
Update. standalone laws, and we’re also seeing states
taking action in combination with EPR,” she said.
Bailey addressed the market development com-
mittee during the meeting, which took place Oct. Bailey also pointed out that if PCR demand is
22-24 in Charlotte, North Carolina. going to increase, the conversation must move
beyond beverage containers and trash bags, for
She added that developing model policies and example, which represent only a small fraction
legislative proposals that can be adapted to of potential markets. When speaking with leg-

November 2024 PLASTICS NEWS 33