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US Plastics Pact outlines responsible use of physical and chemical recycling technologies

Recycling and Waste Management

Business Honor: US Plastics Pact on Responsible Recycling

Business Honor
25 November, 2025

New position paper offers science-based guidance to strengthen recycling systems and protect communities nationwide

The U.S. Plastics Pact (USPP) just released a new position paper outlining how physical and chemical recycling technologies should be responsibly incorporated into the nation's circular economy. The paper-developed with input from stakeholders across the plastics value chain-seeks to give clear, science-based guidance to policymakers and industry leaders about when these technologies should be used, along with the standards that will be necessary to ensure they provide benefits for both communities and the environment.

Physical and chemical recycling should provide complementary solutions for plastics that cannot be managed through reduction, reuse or mechanical recycling, says the USPP. The organization emphasizes that these technologies must extend the overall capabilities of the recycling system, not duplicate processes. When used appropriately, they have the potential to retrieve hard-to-recycle materials, reduce virgin plastic use and support high-quality postconsumer recycled content for food-contact and medical packaging applications.

Discussion of advanced chemical and physical recycling often becomes polarized, said Jonathan Quinn, president and CEO of the USPP. He added that the paper pulls together data-driven insights reflective of real-world conditions. Industry leaders such as Revolution Sustainable Solutions and PureCycle Technologies also emphasized the need for innovation in concert with environmental responsibility, consistent policy, and strong mechanical recycling systems.

The USPP also stressed environmental and human health protections. The paper calls for recycling operations to demonstrate lower environmental impacts than virgin plastic manufacturing, ensure safe handling of materials and incorporate environmental justice in siting decisions. Transparency is another core recommendation, including chain-of-custody certification for recycled content and standardized methods for calculating recycling tonnage.

Leaders of USPP say the position paper is designed to give communities, businesses and regulators the clarity they need to support responsible recycling pathways. With strong guardrails and accountability, physical and chemical recycling can help keep more plastic in the value chain and reduce waste across the country, according to the organization.