Plasticity 2014 was an inspiring event. This annual discussion about the future of plastics brings together designers, brand owners, environmental groups, and public and private sector leaders to discuss design solutions, material innovations, plastic recycling, and waste reduction with the aim of encouraging further innovations and collaborations between stakeholders. Plastics have become the “go to” [...]
About Steve Russell
Vice President, Plastics Division | American Chemistry CouncilNew study highlights significant potential to recover energy from waste in the U.S.
Most people don’t give a second thought to where their trash goes once it’s hauled away, but thanks to exciting developments in technologies that recover energy from waste, it’s worth taking a closer look. Today, a growing number of technologies are able to turn non-recycled trash can into valuable products, including energy. To better understand [...]
Important conversations about plastics are taking place
This week, world leaders came together to focus attention and encourage action on important issues involving our oceans, including unsustainable fishing practices, ocean acidification and marine debris. ACC’s CEO Cal Dooley was invited to speak about the plastics industry’s role in launching public-private partnerships and other cooperative action to prevent plastics from reaching our oceans. [...]
Governing Magazine profiles Ohio’s energy recovery success story
States are looking for ways to encourage investment in alternative energy and improve their state’s environmental footprint – from keeping valuable materials out of landfills to decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. With these goals in mind, many states are interested in waste-to-energy conversion technologies, and are reviewing and updating the relevant policies and regulatory frameworks to [...]
CalRecycle announces workshop on expanding state’s ability to convert waste into energy, fuels
Last fall, a panel discussion co-hosted by ACC and the LA Chamber of Commerce showcased emerging technologies that can convert waste into energy. Focusing on ways that state and local lawmakers can encourage new investment in these technologies, the event included participation by many local business leaders and waste management experts, including representatives from CalRecycle, [...]
NYC’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade converts waste into energy
A number of forward thinking cities are investing in technologies to convert trash into energy and, in the process, are taking advantage of an abundant, domestic energy resource. Consider Newark, New Jersey. Last week’s St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City generated a fair amount of waste. Rather than landfilling it, the party hats, [...]
BPA and plastics: the not-so scary truth
What’s trending right now? Lots of chatter about the safety of plastics: Are plastics safe in food packaging? Are they safe in carry-out food containers? What about the plastics in my kitchen? What should I do? Questions like these are the result of pressure groups targeting plastics — the very plastics that have been approved [...]
Illinois Sustainable Technology Center studies energy potential of non-recycled plastics
Given our nation’s need to improve energy security, a diverse energy supply is more important than ever. That diversity includes technologies that derive energy from waste, enabling us to harness the power of this underutilized resource. A new report released earlier this month revealed in greater detail the energy that can be derived from used [...]
New plastics-to-oil technologies alliance revs up
Are used plastics poised to become the new black gold? The American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division recently announced the launch of a new group whose members are developing commercial scale technologies for converting non-recycled used plastics into crude oil and other petroleum based products (read full press release). The new Plastics-to-Oil Technologies Alliance is working [...]
U.S. EIA: America’s plastics makers triple exports on half the energy
Data released today by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) confirms what U.S. plastics manufacturers have been seeing firsthand of late – solid growth in plastics production and exports, combined with improved efficiencies, which allow their businesses to draw less energy from our nation’s abundant natural gas supply. The graph above tells the story. The [...]
News Releases
- U.S. Economic Expansion Being Tempered By Uncertainty in Energy Markets, Shows Leading Economic Indicator July 22, 2014
- ACC Comments on Administration’s Five-Year Plan For OCS Energy Development July 21, 2014
- ACC Challenges the Conclusions of the CPSC CHAP Report on Phthalates Based on a Flawed CPSC Process July 19, 2014
- ACC Committed to Working with EPA to Further Improve Federal Chemical Assessment Program July 16, 2014
- ACC: DC Ban on Foodservice Ware Will Not Achieve Sustainability Goals July 14, 2014
