Study: Comparison of Pyrolysis-Based Advanced Recycling Air Emissions to Common Manufacturing Emissions

Clearing the Air About Advanced Recycling Emissions

Our latest report, “Comparison of Pyrolysis-Based Advanced Recycling Air Emissions to Common Manufacturing Emissions,” examines the emissions impacts of advanced recycling facilities and compares them to other community-based industrial and institutional facilities.

Here’s the bottom line: Advanced recycling technologies allow us to recover dramatically more post-use plastics, but they are also being well-regulated under the federal Clean Air Act by federal, state and local regulatory authorities. In fact, advanced recycling facility emissions are well below regulated levels and comparable to or below other facilities’ emissions.

Key report findings include:

  • Every category of air emissions measured was shown to be well below regulated levels and comparable to or below familiar community facilities, such as hospitals, college campuses, food processing and automotive manufacturing facilities.

  • Any advanced recycling facility must receive an air permit to operate and is required to report to the local state or regional air quality authority. Advanced recycling facilities’ permitting, emissions, and operations are well-regulated under the federal Clean Air Act by federal, state and local regulatory authorities.

  • Dioxins are a concern for everyone and that’s why EPA does not permit them to be produced. Because of that, advanced recycling technologies are designed and operated to prevent dioxins from forming or being released.

  • Advanced recycling technologies help to reduce overall plastic waste by recycling more types and amounts of post-use plastic material than traditional mechanical recycling. That means keeping waste out of landfills and cutting down on the extraction of virgin natural resources.