Andrea Bassetti
The 2025 Plastic Recycling Conference, held in National Harbor, Maryland, brought together over 2,500 professionals from across the plastic recycling supply chain for three days of insightful discussions, networking, and idea exchange. This vital gathering provided an opportunity for industry leaders to assess market conditions, explore new opportunities, and strategize on tackling the sector鈥檚 ongoing challenges. The event highlighted the industry鈥檚 response to economic uncertainty, the legislative push around Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the hurdles brands face in meeting sustainability goals, and the evolving landscape of the recycling market.
Navigating Uncertainty and Slow Change
A prevailing theme that emerged from this year鈥檚 conference was a palpable sense of uncertainty affecting industry. Economic instability鈥攄riven by concerns over tariffs, inflation, and the looming threat of recession鈥攈as led to a cautious, wait-and-see stance across the recycling sector.
The industry finds itself in a delicate balancing act, weighing various scenarios while being reluctant to act decisively without clearer signals from the political and economic landscape. Much is happening, yet little is changing at the pace many would prefer. Key players in the supply chain are holding off on making major shifts or investments until more definitive policy actions, such as tariff implementation, come to fruition.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
EPR policies were a central topic of discussion at the conference, with many pointing to them as critical drivers of the future of plastic recycling. An interesting takeaway was the growing bipartisan support for recycling initiatives, which are increasingly seen not just through an environmental lens but as vital to manufacturing and job creation. A notable example of this shift is the Tennessee proposal, the “Waste to Jobs Act,” which demonstrates how recycling legislation is aligning with broader economic objectives.
EPR has generated significant hope for addressing key bottlenecks in the recycling system, particularly in areas like collection. The next three to five years will be crucial in determining whether EPR can fulfill its potential. Several states are already advancing EPR legislation: Washington, Maryland, and New York are moving forward with their plans, while New Jersey has launched a two-year session to refine its approach. Oregon is set to begin its EPR rollout on July 1, 2025, and Colorado is expected to follow suit by mid to late 2026.
Why Have Brands Not Met Their Goals?
A session with leaders from major organizations, including Anne Bedorf of Colgate-Palmolive, Dr. Anja Brandon of Ocean Conservancy, and Neil Menezes of the Circular Action Alliance, focused on the challenges brands face in meeting sustainability goals. The discussion revealed that many companies find themselves caught in a “Morton鈥檚 Fork” situation, facing two difficult paths where neither option seems ideal.
Despite not meeting ambitious targets, the panel emphasized that progress is being made. Companies have taken important first steps toward more sustainable practices, but significant hurdles remain, particularly the fragmented nature of the recycling system. The sheer volume of conflicting information and the logistical difficulty of aligning stakeholders鈥攅xacerbated by antitrust concerns鈥攑resent considerable obstacles.
Another critical issue is the tension between sustainability goals and the limitations of existing infrastructure. The current recycling infrastructure is unable to meet the growing demands for post-consumer food grade material of the industry, causing players across the supply chain to compete for a limited pool of recyclable material. This competition is particularly challenging in a time when cost pressures are high. Additionally, the conference highlighted the need for increased investment in infrastructure and better data collection to better understand and address these issues.
The Recycling Market Outlook
The conference also featured an in-depth discussion on the recycling market, led by experts from ICIS. The conversation explored the various factors shaping the market today and in the future, with a particular focus on recycled resin pricing, supply, and demand. ICIS projections indicate growth in both mechanically recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET), polyethylene (rPE), and polyolefin (rPO) markets, with rPET expected to see more aggressive growth. Factors such as legislative incentives, brand commitments, actionable recycling agendas, waste management, and recyclability currently favor the growth of rPET markets over rPE and rPP.
A live poll posed a poignant question to the audience: “How do you view the impact of imports? 5鈥擳hey are great, 1鈥擳hey are terrible.” The consensus fell right in the middle at a 3, reflecting the industry’s mixed feelings on tariffs, particularly as the potential for them to be implemented remains high. As the discussion unfolded, it became clear that without a holistic approach integrating these factors, the recycling industry will struggle to meet its long-term growth objectives.
Conclusion
Despite uncertainty and slow change, hope continues to motivate industry leaders. The 2025 Plastic Recycling Conference highlighted a continued commitment to plastic recycling, with much of the hope tied to the development of EPR legislation, which could drive investments and address long-standing operational challenges. While challenges remain, the industry is determined to make substantial progress, positioning itself for significant transformation in the coming years. At next year鈥檚 Plastic Recycling Conference, these points will be revisited, and the progress made will be a key focus of discussion as the industry moves forward.