Advanced BioFuels USA

by Zoey Shipley and Miro Korenha (Our Daily Planet) NPR and PBS Frontline recently announced a new joint investigation which has revealed that since the 1980s, “the plastics industry spent tens of millions of dollars promoting recycling through ads, recycling projects, and public relations, telling people plastic could be and should be recycled” all in an effort to fight plastics bans. 

Unfortunately, the industry’s own data made it clear that recycling plastic on a large-scale was unlikely to ever be economically viable, but nonetheless, Americans were told to rinse, sort and do their part. 

What Happened: Evidence shows that these lies were told to the public so that the plastics and petrochem industries could avoid bans on plastic. 

• Consumers were lied to so that they would be less aware of the effect of these products on the environment and so plastics manufacturers wouldn’t have to bear responsibility for their products at the end of life. 
• And as a result, local industries and cities are struggling to maintain recycling infrastructure. 

Larry Thomas, who led the lobbying group Society of the Plastics Industry for more than a decade told NPR that “The feeling was the plastics industry was under fire, we got to do what it takes to take the heat off, because we want to continue to make plastic products,” adding that “If the public thinks the recycling is working, then they’re not going to be as concerned about the environment.”

…

Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) and Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) introduced the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act. 

• This legislation would be a major relief to local Americans and cities because the burden of dealing with plastic waste would be put on to the industries that produce it. 

• There would also be measures that help to raise recycling levels, such as offering 10 cents for each plastic bottle that is recycled. 

Bottom Line: Most Americans don’t have the resources to properly recycle their trash or they make the mistake of thinking something is recyclable when it is not. We know the policy incentives that help increase rates of recycling and make it more mainstream for consumers, but recycling is often a forgotten policy priority. That needs to change.    READ MORE

ALGAE MAKING INROADS TO BIOPLASTICS MARKETS (Algae Biomass Organization)

Not just biofuels: Algae’s next wave (GreenBiz)

Seaweed over plastic: Indonesia’s race towards sustainable packaging: Edible cups made from seaweed. Shopping bags from cassava starch. Food containers from sugarcane fiber. These are some of the bioplastic alternatives being tried out in Indonesia, the world’s No. 2 producer of seaweed. (Eco-Business)

Plastic Companies Want $1B in Bailout Funds For Recycling (Our Daily Planet)

Ineos and Plastic Energy to collaborate on new advanced plastic recycling facility (BioMarket Insights)

Senators Back New Federal Action To Aid Recycling But Specifics Hazy (Inside EPA)

The Public is Ready to Recycle as Congress Reintroduces Sweeping Plastics Reform (Our Daily Planet)

WWF Experts Talk The Future of Recycling and Plastic Pollution (Our Daily Planet)

Excerpt from BioMarket Insights: “To take plastic waste back to virgin plastic is the ultimate definition of recycling and will create a truly circular economy solution.” Ineos and Plastic Energy has announced a collaboration on the construction of a new plant to convert waste plastic into the raw material to make new plastic.

Production of the new facility would be targeted for the end of 2023.

Advanced recycling technology converts waste plastic back to its basic molecules. The resulting material is then used in Ineos crackers to replace traditional raw materials derived from oil.  READ MORE