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PUBLICATIONS

The U.S. Plastics Recycling Economy: Current State, Challenges, and Opportunities

Published

Author(s)

Douglas Thomas, Joshua D. Kneifel, David Butry

Abstract

This report builds upon NIST AMS 100-48 (Thomas 2022), which examined the economics of increased circularity in the economy, focusing on the processes, forces, and decision making that result in an unsustainable economy. This report further discusses the current state of plastics recycling, manufacturing, usage, and waste handling in the United States. It discusses and compares state level recycling programs along with national recycling programs in other countries, particularly those with high plastic recycling rates. The report also examines the potential for chemical recycling to address the plastics recycling problem. Finally, it summarizes the stakeholders in the plastic recycling economy, including incentives, barriers, and challenges to increasing recycling or recycled content use.
Citation
Advanced Manufacturing Series (NIST AMS) - 100-64
Report Number
100-64
NIST Pub Series
Advanced Manufacturing Series (NIST AMS)
Pub Type
NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.AMS.100-64
Local Download

Keywords

Manufacturing, Plastics, Recycling, Sustainability, Environmental Impact, Economics
Sustainable manufacturing, Sustainability, Supply chain and Manufacturing economics

Citation

Thomas, D. , Kneifel, J. and Butry, D. (2024), The U.S. Plastics Recycling Economy: Current State, Challenges, and Opportunities, Advanced Manufacturing Series (NIST AMS), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.AMS.100-64, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=958528 (Accessed October 16, 2025)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].

Created October 30, 2024
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