ACS endorses the Plastics Waste Reduction and Recycling Research Act

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May 17, 2021

The Honorable Haley Stevens
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Anthony Gonzalez
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Representatives Stevens and Gonzalez:

On behalf of the American Chemical Society (ACS), I am writing to endorse H.R. 2821, The Plastic Waste Reduction and Recycling Research Act of 2021. ACS represents over 155,000 chemists and chemical engineers, and was chartered by Congress in 1937 to advise policymakers on issues of scientific and national interest.

The Plastic Waste Reduction and Recycling Research Act represents an important step in improving the quantity, quality, and sustainability of plastics recycling. Our current system struggles with a number of complications associated with waste collection, as well as the long term sustainability of current plastic use and reuse. Reducing the amount of plastics in our nation’s waste facilities, waterways, and environment requires overcoming major technological challenges in the current single stream recycling system. Additionally, encouraging design for degradation and future upcycling concepts in plastics research will be critical to reducing the long term impacts of plastics on our environment.

Improving the sustainability of chemistry is a core priority of the ACS. The federal government has an important role in boosting sustainability by improving agency coordination, investing in research and development, and protecting the environment. The global competitiveness of the U.S. chemistry enterprise depends on accelerating its environmental progress. We look forward to continuing the journey towards meeting the needs of current society, while also ensuring we leave a green and thriving world to future generations.

We applaud your hard work to address the challenges of plastics waste, and are eager to work with you to continue to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me, or Carl Maxwell (c_maxwell@acs.org) in my office.

Sincerely,

Anthony Pitagno

CC:
The Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson
The Honorable Frank Lucas