The Plastics Industry’s Wish List for a Second Trump Administration

A federal recycling bill filed last month is a wish list of regulatory rollbacks and government assistance that would boost the plastics industry.

The legislation is being criticized by environmentalists who are calling it the industry’s own Project 2025 .

The American Chemistry Council , a prominent plastics lobby, praised the bill as “ground-breaking, solutions-oriented legislation”.

The bill calls for a national standard to increase recycled content in plastic packaging by up to 30% by 2030 .

It dedicates a significant chunk of federal resources toward expanding plastic recycling infrastructure and smoothing the way for new chemical recycling facilities.

A study authorized by the bill sets the stage for even more government spending.

The bill gives regulators authority to audit companies’ recycling practices, but the results could be kept from the public.

Any “proprietary information” uncovered during these investigations would not be subject to the Freedom of Information Act .

The bill’s co-sponsors didn’t respond to questions seeking clarification.