APR Statement on the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Hearing on Efforts to Improve Reuse and Recycling

The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) applauds the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and Chairman Tom Carper (D-DE) and Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) for convening this week's important hearing on "Efforts to Improve Reuse and Recycling." Coming just weeks after the celebration of Earth Day — an annual reminder of our collective responsibility to preserve our planet for future generations — and the fourth session of the UN's Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to reduce plastic pollution in Ottawa, this timely hearing underscores the environmental and economic benefits to improving recycling, and the policy and infrastructure investments needed across the US.

As the committee heard today, recycling is vitally important to local communities, and they are asking for state and federal leadership to improve our recycling system. The US has many successful recycling programs, and many areas of the country are underserved. While recycling works each and every day, the entire system needs improvement. By recycling more, the US can reduce its carbon emissions, reduce demand for virgin fossil fuels, protect our clean air and water, and create US jobs and invest in domestic manufacturing.

APR believes that, alongside reduction and reuse, recycling is a vital strategy for reducing plastic waste. Annually, over 5 billion pounds of post-consumer plastics are successfully recycled in North America. Plastics recycling works, but we need it to work better.

To enhance the efficacy of recycling programs, it is imperative that the U.S. implement policies that not only increase the collection of plastic materials, but also ensure that these materials are reused in the manufacturing of new products. Mandating the use of recycled content in plastic products is critical to build a sustainable and circular economy.

Federal funding, including grants, serves as essential seed money for catalyzing innovative recycling and reuse programs. However, to sustain long-term operations requires continuous legislative support and investments are necessary to foster scalable solutions for our nation's recycling infrastructure.

APR is committed to working collaboratively with Congress, across federal agencies, and across the states to advance legislative solutions that meet the urgency of the environmental challenges we all face and deliver environmental and economic benefits to all communities.