PLASTIC CONTAINERS / FILMS / FOAMS

STATE OF MATERIAL STREAM

In 2018, plastics generation was 35.7 million tons in the United States (12.2 percent of MSW generation). The total amount of plastics combusted in 2018 was 5.6 million tons (16.3% of all MSW combusted for energy recover that year). In that same year, landfills received 27 million tons of plastic (18.5% of all MSW landfilled).

EPA

CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES

  • Clean the plastic material stream at collection.
  • Establish new avenues for plastic films and foams.
  • Develop a beneficial reuse of fiberglass wind turbines.

INSPIRING PROGRESS / COMPANIES FINDING SOLUTIONS

ALTERNATIVES