Blueprint for America’s Recycling System

The Recycling Leadership Council emphasizes the importance of federal action to improve and enhance recycling in the United States, as a fragmented and misaligned system hinders progress towards a sustainable future and a circular economy. They propose a comprehensive blueprint of federal policy action, focusing on data collection, system standardization, harmonization, financing, and end-market development, as essential steps to achieve economies of scale and process current and future packaging.

With federal authority, accountability, and incentivization, the United States can build a true circular economy, meeting the demands of stakeholders and consumers who seek a 21st century recycling system that addresses environmental needs. A unified national strategy is crucial for the successful transformation of recycling practices and the realization of a sustainable future.