Oppose regulatory exemption of chemical conversion from solid waste regulations.
Background on Chemical Conversion
SB1164 calls itself the bill on “advanced recycling” – but this is a greenwashed term of choice by the American Chemistry Council. Advanced or chemical “recycling” actually refers to Chemical Conversion, or the superheating of plastics. The plastics industry, feeling pressure from consumers and the government to reduce pollution, claims that “chemical recycling” is the silver bullet to solve the plastics crisis by recycling plastic back into plastic. However, only three of the dozens of chemical conversion facilities over the past few decades are operational, and none successfully convert plastics back into plastics. The technological sophistication to operate these facilities on the scale that proponents intend simply does not exist today. In fact, by all accounts, this technology will not be ready for up to a decade.
So why the sudden need to rush this bill through Virginia (and many other states across the nation)? Here’s why: Hidden within the confusing, little understood, and techno-charged jargon within this legislation, the bill specifically exempts this highly uncertain industry from requirements to be permitted under solid waste law. In the name of “clarity” and “transparency”, the American Chemistry Council is hastily seeking a regulatory green light to operate without reasonable regard for protections of human and environmental health.
Primarily, these facilities convert plastics into polluting fuels to be burned, releasing more toxins and air pollutants into the environment. Under the guise of being a “manufacturer” rather than a “solid waste facility,” chemical conversion facilities avoid particular regulatory oversight that would otherwise protect vulnerable communities and our environment from pollutants.
Chemical conversion is not an effective way to reduce plastic waste. Instead, this bill would increase plastic production and create more waste. It will reduce state regulatory oversight over harmful, pollution-producing facilities, allowing them free rein to locate near Virginia’s most vulnerable populations. Despite claims from industry proponents, chemical conversion is neither economically nor environmentally sustainable. The solution to the plastic crisis is reducing waste at its source, not dangerous downstream approaches.
Read more about the US “Chemical Recycling” Industry
Reasons to OPPOSE Chemical Recycling
- Reduced regulations: Under the false label of “recycling,” chemical conversion plants will have reduced regulatory oversight compared to other waste-generating facilities. SB1164 gives chemical conversion facilities an inequitable and special exemption from Virginia’s Solid & Hazardous Waste law. As is, this bill will hold toxic chemical conversion facilities to less regulation than municipal landfills, coal ash facilities, and similar pollution producers. The plastics industry should not regulate itself; we have an option for a study to determine the best path forward.
- Greenwashing by the Plastics Industry: The plastics industry, represented by the American Chemistry Council, has led an effort to make legislative changes to statewide policies in 13 states to promote chemical conversion. These facilities are a high-cost, risky investment riddled with system failures which receive public funds under the false label of “recycling”. The vague terms provided by the American Chemistry Council refer to an array of technologies, many of which remain in the lab or pilot phases.
- Pollution: Over half of the carbon content from processed plastic is lost as climate pollution during chemical conversion, not including the emissions produced from the burning of the resulting fuel. In the most celebrated chemical recycling facility, processed plastics produce 3x the greenhouse gas emissions compared to producing virgin plastics. Chemical conversion facilities release toxic chemicals including lead, arsenic, mercury, bisphenol-A, cadmium, benzene, brominated compounds, phthalates, tin, antimony, and volatile organic compounds.
- Impact on Vulnerable Communities: 80% of chemical conversion facilities are located in low income communities and communities of color. These facilities expose residents to harmful particulates that cause cancer, respiratory illnesses, and neurological disorders.
- Rushing Through Bad Legislation: The “advanced recycling” industry itself has stated that we are 10 years away from having the necessary reliable technology to operate chemical conversion on a widespread basis. Simply put, there is no need to rush headlong into a largely uncharted industry without doing our due diligence in fully understanding this industry’s impact on community health.
Take Action
SB1164 is being heard by the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday afternoon (2/17). Ask delegates to OPPOSE chemical conversion through the pre-filled form provided by our Partners at the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter:
Tell delegates to OPPOSE SB1164
Virginia Conservation Network and our 150 organizational Partners uphold that responsible action by the House ACNR Committee is to (a.) table SB1164 and to (b.) defer to Chairman Plum’s budget amendment item 376 #1h to ensure that DEQ can regulate this industry equally and in a manner that is both fair and consistent with the regulation of other Virginia industries.
Thank you to our Partners at Clean Fairfax for their advocacy!