Multi-billion dollar plastics recycling potential wasted – Global expert calls for action

Multi-billion dollar plastics recycling potential wasted – Global expert calls for action

Ahead of a visit to Australia for the Plasticity Sydney event, Mr. Douglas Woodring, international sustainability economist and plastic circular economies expert, says both Australia and America’s recycling records are behind global standards, and lag most OECD countries on diversion from landfill. In the Australian context, he believes that this creates an opportunity for Australia to dominate the new $100Bn global plastic circular economy in Asia Pacific, if it acts now. In the case of the U.S., its role as a technology leader and solutions provider to the world is also significant, especially if China’s blockade of waste imports finally drives the domestic industry needed to scale the opportunities to process the 91% of plastic that is not recycled today on US soil. The value of plastic packaging alone, which makes its way to landfills in the U.S., is over US$8bn, according to As You Sow.

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