Definitions

The oil & gas industry is greenwashing plastic burning and calling it “advanced recycling,” “chemical recycling,” “waste-to-fuel recycling,” “plastic-to-fuel recycling,” and many more names. Single-use and other “hard to recycle” plastics are put into giant chemical vats and heated until they decompose into liquids and gases. During this process, cancerous pollutants are leaked into Ohio’s air and water.

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, plastic burning generates little to no recycled plastic. Instead, it produces oil/gas produces hazardous, toxic wastes linked to cancer which increases environmental injustices.

 

Check out these reports below for more information on the harmful effects of plastic burning:

• NRDC: Recycling Lies – “Chemical Recycling” of Plastic Is Just Greenwashing Incineration

• MOMS CLEAN AIR FORCE – Plastic Incineration Without Pollution Controls

• GAIA: Plastic-to-Fuel: A Losing Proposition

• GAIA: All Talk and No Recycling: An Investigation of the US “Chemical Recycling” Industry which includes case studies

• GAIA: Chemical Recycling: Technical Assessment & Briefing

• GREENPEACE: Deception By The Numbers

• SAFER STATES – “Chemical Recycling” Legislative Fact Sheet

• “Chemical Recycling”/Plastic Burning Workshop hosted by Safer States and BFFP on 4.5.23

  • • Zoom recording