Chemical Recycling

Policy position adopted May 2025

Background: Chemical recycling (also referred to as Molecular or Advanced recycling) is an umbrella term referring to, but not limited to, a multitude of thermochemical, solvent- and physical-based processes that convert targeted plastic waste into other products and may be considered recycling when converted back to plastic. These processes can potentially accommodate a variety of plastic feedstocks including but not limited to packaging. The Chemical Recycling Committee was established to better understand these processes and their environmental impacts to make informed policy decisions.

Purpose: The purpose of this policy statement is to articulate guiding principles for environmentally responsible chemical recycling of plastics.

Policy Statement - Guiding Principles

NERC supports the conservation of natural resources, waste minimization, and recognizes the role of recycling in reaching these goals. Plastic is a prevalent material for packaging and other products due to its material properties, however, it is also one of the least recycled material categories despite the existence of recycling processes. Producing virgin plastic from fossil fuels is an extractive process that has compounding negative environmental and social impacts. Therefore, NERC supports reduction, reuse, and recycling processes that displace virgin production in plastics where environmentally preferable.

NERC Believes

  • In reduction of plastics where feasible alternatives exist including reuse strategies. Recycling of any kind should not be a reason for limiting the potential of source reduction.
  • Plastics should be designed for recycling and recycled in an environmentally responsible manner
  • In moving towards a more circular and sustainable economy.
  • Using plastic to produce fuel or energy or other end products to be used for fuel is not considered a form of recycling.
  • Mechanical recycling is currently the preferred method of plastic waste processing as it creates fewer environmental impacts than other currently available chemical recycling processes.
  • Chemical recycling can be considered:
  • for plastics that can’t be feasibly eliminated, replaced, redesigned, or mechanically recycled.
  • when there is an equal or net benefit to human health and the environment with chemical recycling compared to other waste management processes.
  • if it is less environmentally harmful and less energy intensive than virgin production of plastics.
  • Recycled material must be verified through transparent third-party certification and mass balance accounting through the chain of custody that reflects the source material and true composition of the product.