Gurnee, Illinois, (January 26, 2022) –The U.S. Plastics Pact has released its Problematic and Unnecessary Materials List, a first step to accelerating progress toward a circular economy for plastic packaging in the United States. The list identifies 11 items that are not currently reusable, recyclable, or compostable at scale in the U.S. and are not projected to be kept in a closed loop in practice and at scale by 2025.
The publication of the list fulfills a commitment by the U.S. Pact to “define a list of packaging that is problematic or unnecessary by 2021,” an objective in the organization’s Roadmap to 2025. The list was developed by U.S. Pact members – more than 100 businesses, non-profit, and government organizations. These “Activators” will develop guidance on circular alternatives to eliminate the items on the list by 2025.
The U.S. Pact’s Consumer Packaging Groups (CPG’s), retailer, and converter Activators produce 33% of plastic packaging in scope in the U.S. by weight. In 2020, before the establishment of the list, 66% of business Activators were already making individual plans and taking steps to wholly eliminate specific materials, formats, and components or move from non-recyclable to recyclable package designs.
The U.S. Pact’s Problematic and Unnecessary Materials List is comprised of the following items (listed alphabetically):
- Cutlery*
- Intentionally added¹ Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)²
- Non-detectable pigments such as Carbon Black
- Opaque or pigmented PET - Polyethylene Terephthalate bottles (any color other than transparent blue or green)
- Oxo-degradable additives, including oxo-biodegradable additives
- PETG – Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol in rigid packaging
- Problematic Label Constructions - This includes adhesives, inks, materials (e.g., PETG, PVC, PLA, paper). Avoid formats/materials/features that render a package Detrimental or Non-Recyclable per the APR Design® Guide. Labels should meet APR Preferred guidance for coverage and compatibility and be tested in any areas where this is unclear.
- PS – Polystyrene, including EPS (Expanded Polystyrene)
- PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride, including PVDC (Polyvinylidene Chloride)
- Stirrers*
- Straws*
*When non-reusable, non-recyclable, or non-compostable per U.S. Pact definitions and provided as an ancillary item to the primary container. For instance, a packet of plastic cutlery provided with a prepared salad or a straw/stirrer provided with an on-the-go beverage would be defined as problematic whereas cutlery, straws, or stirrers sold as a product would not.
¹ “Intentionally added” either in the package or in the manufacturing of that package.
² “PFAS” or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances are defined as the class of
fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom at or above 100 parts per million, as measured in total organic fluorine.
The list applies exclusively to plastic packaging. Medical plastics used in clinical, hospital, and related laboratory and research settings are not included. Definitions used in the criteria derive from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation Global commitment criteria, which provides the framework for the U.S. Pact. Participation in the U.S. Pact is voluntary and does not necessarily signify an individual Activator’s endorsement of the list.
SWALCO became a charter Activator to the U.S. Plastics Pact in August 2020 because of the close correlation between the Pact’s four key targets and the Agency’s ambitious goal of utilizing the circular economy to reduce the Lake County, Illinois waste stream by 60% by 2030.
“We thank our Activators for their commitment to working together to deliver on the U.S. Pact’s targets,” said, Emily Tipaldo, U.S. Pact, Executive Director. “The elimination of these problematic and unnecessary materials will enable advancements in circular package design, increase opportunities for recovery, and enhance the quality of recycled content available for manufacturers.”
Materials on the Problematic and Unnecessary Materials List do not meet the U.S. Pact definition of reusable, recyclable, or compostable, known as “Criterion 1,” the criterion deemed most critical by U.S. Pact Activators. Materials on the list also met one or more of the following concerns:
Criterion 2: Contain hazardous chemicals or create hazardous conditions that pose a significant risk to human health or the environment (applying the precautionary principle) during its manufacturing, recycling (whether mechanical or chemical), or composting process;
Criterion 3: Can be avoided (or replaced by a reuse model) while maintaining utility;
Criterion 4: Hinder or disrupt the recyclability or composability of other items; and/or
Criterion 5: Have a high likelihood of being littered or ending up in the natural environment.
The U.S. Pact will continue to investigate additional items for potential elimination.
About SWALCO: The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, IL (SWALCO) was formed in 1991 to implement a regional approach to solid waste management that addresses the economic, political, and environmental issues in Lake County. It is comprised of 43 municipalities and the County of Lake representing approximately 85% of the county’s population. Lake County is currently recycling 39% of its municipal waste with the goal to divert as much material from final disposal as possible. To read more about SWALCO’s work with the U.S Pact, please visit the SWALCO U.S. Plastics Pact web page
About the U.S. Plastics Pact: The U.S. Plastics Pact was launched in August 2020 by The Recycling Partnership and World Wildlife Fund. The U.S. Plastics Pact is part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Plastics Pact Network, which connects national and regional organizations around the world working to implement solutions towards a circular economy for plastic.
Media inquiries:
To arrange an interview with Emily Tipaldo, Executive Director, U.S. Plastics Pact, or to connect with U.S. Pact Activators,
contact: Tiana Lightfoot Svendsen
tsvendsen@usplasticspact.org
214-235-5351
