During WWII, plastic appeared as a “material with 1,000 uses.” Fast forward to today, when global production of plastic has surpassed 359 million tons. While plastic has been helpful in many areas, it’s also created problems within the environment. Microscopic particles of plastic are in the soil, air, and water. They’re in animals, fish, and even you.

Think about those microscopic microplastics. They’re circulating in your bloodstream. Enough build-up and aid in blockages of blood flow in your heart, liver, kidneys, brain, etc. One study found accumulations of microplastics and nanoplastics in the brains of deceased dementia patients. 

What if some of today’s chronic health conditions are tied to exposure to disintegrating plastic bowls, cutlery, bags, cups, liners, etc., that sit in landfills breaking down slowly over decades? We’ve reached a critical point where safer, effective ways of recycling are needed to deal with plastic waste. Enter chemical recycling.

What Is Chemical Recycling?

Chemical recycling is a type of advanced recycling where newer technology is used to convert plastic waste into feedstocks used to make new plastic items. It’s a fast-growing, innovative process that’s a rapidly growing field within the recycling industry.

In 2023, the chemical recycling market size topped 14.8 billion. It’s growing at a rate (CAGR) of around 9.4% from 2024 through 2030. As more people recycle plastics correctly, the more growth this recycling process experiences.

Why is it such an important type of recycling? Chemical recycling can break down the plastics that are hard to recycle, such as mixed plastics like #7. It can recycle contaminated plastics, like food containers. Because so many plastic items are recyclable, it reduces the amount of plastic going into a landfill or incinerator.

Another benefit is that this advanced recycling process is better at restoring plastics to virgin quality. It’s not a weak material. It has absolutely no difference from brand-new plastic. As virgin plastic requires fossil fuels to develop it, recycling plastics through chemical recycling reduces reliance on fossil fuels for plastics manufacturing

Chemical recycling is not restricted to one process. There are several different options. The most used are:

• Depolymerization: Specific types of plastic are broken down into their original building blocks, purified, and used to create new, high-quality plastics.
• Dissolution: Solvents are used to dissolve plastics and remove impurities. The plastic material is then recovered for reuse.
• Gasification: Plastics are heated with steam and oxygen and converted to a synthetic gas that can be used to make different fuels or chemicals.
• Pyrolysis: Plastic is heated without any oxygen, breaking it down into gases, oils, and solids.

Growth in Chemical Recycling

The U.S. chemical recycling sector is growing rapidly. There are currently three chemical recycling plants under construction in Georgia and West Virginia. Seven plants are already operational, and three are partially operating in:

• Georgia (1)
• Indiana (1)
• Minnesota (1)
• North Carolina (1)
• Ohio (3)
• Tennessee (1)
• Texas (2)

In terms of growth, this is where it shows how much this sector is expected to expand. Another 31 plants are proposed:

• Arizona (2)
• Colorado (1)
• Georgia (2)
• Louisiana (4)
• Maryland (1)
• Massachusetts (1)
• Michigan (1)
• New Mexico (1)
• North Carolina (1)
• Ohio (3)
• Pennsylvania (3)
• Puerto Rico (1)
• Texas (9)
• West Virginia (1)

Much of this expansion comes from the number of states that have signed chemical recycling laws. Instead of classifying chemical recycling as waste management, these states are shifting it to manufacturing, which changes the policies, tax codes, and funding sources the facilities must follow or consider.

With expansion comes job creation. ZipRecruiter’s salary information for chemical recycling jobs ranges from $24 an hour for entry-level positions to $64 an hour for advanced roles. Chemical engineers at Eastman Chemical earn upwards of $150,000k per Payscale. 

It’s a field where anyone can become an employee without a specialized degree. A material handler trainee needs nothing more than a basic understanding of general chemistry and a high school diploma or GED. Other qualifications include being 18 or older, having a valid driver’s license, and being legally authorized to work in the U.S.

Chemical Recycling Does Pose Challenges

While chemical recycling is the future, it does have drawbacks. 

1. Pollution
One of the biggest hurdles that districts need to carefully consider is pollution. If a plant is built without proper filtration, chemical recycling processes can result in hazardous air emissions and industrial wastewater. As this negatively impacts those around a facility, it must be addressed.

The nation’s people are worried about the environment for both their and future generations’ health and welfare. Finding the right location and taking measures to lessen any impact is essential. An on-site initial industrial wastewater facility and air filtration systems that trap any possible pollutants are essential.

2. Energy Consumption

Chemical recycling processes use a lot of energy. That increases a facility’s carbon footprint, but there are ways to lessen it. Instead of relying on electricity generated by fossil fuels or coal, installing renewable energy sources like solar or wind eases the draw on local electricity providers.

3. Cost

It’s also expensive to build a facility for advanced recycling methods. Eastman Chemical Company recently lost its funding to expand its operations in Texas when the government cut funding that had been awarded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Plans are to continue the expansion, but it’s going to take a lot longer without the additional funding.

4. Education

Consumers also need to know how to find items made with recycled plastic from chemical recycling. Not every product makes it apparent beyond a tag here or a small note on a box. Taking time to search for items produced using recycled materials is essential. Teaching them how to find these items is key to recycling success.

It’s also important to teach people that they can recycle everything. Residents with curbside recycling typically learn that only a couple of types of plastic are recyclable. Everything else goes into the trash. Education on what is and isn’t recyclable is incredibly important to ensure everything that can be recycled is properly recycled.

The Future of Plastic Recycling Starts With You

No matter where plastic recycling goes, it starts with people recycling as much as they can and supporting a circular economy. When shopping for new items, look for products containing recycled plastic. If consumers buy items containing recycled materials, it keeps the circle moving. 

Having clear policies regarding recycling helps consumers do their part. Listing your services on social media is a start, but you also need a comprehensive website and even printouts for consumers to use.

Learn more about what plastics are recycled in your area. Recycle Nation offers an expansive database of recycling facilities. Enter the item you need to recycle along with your location to find out where to go or if you can put it in your curbside recycling bin.