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2026-07-07
Neel Brown: Can better policy unlock America's advanced recycling potential?with Neel Brown
In the latest episode of the Powering America Podcast, Neel Brown, Managing Director of the Progressive Policy Institute, discusses the potential of advanced recycling to address America's plastic waste crisis. Brown explains how advanced recycling differs from traditional methods by breaking down contaminated plastics at a molecular level, allowing for the recycling of materials that are typically sent to landfills. He emphasizes the need for supportive policies and public awareness to enhance recycling rates and reduce landfill waste.
Notable quotes
“In the U.S., every year we create 35.7 million tons of plastic waste as a total. Of that, 75.6% ends up in landfills.”
“Advanced recycling allows these manufacturers to use basically recycled material to make new products that wouldn't be able to be made with mechanical recycling.”
“We can create the incentives for them to find ways to make profit in doing things like diverting this plastic from landfills.”
“If we could have plastics that do all these great things for us, and those plastics are recycled, that seems like the best of both worlds.”
“There's not a person listening to this podcast that doesn't— can't reach out with their hand right now and touch something plastic.”
“The amount of money that they can save is pretty astounding... it's possible on the outside $328 million annually that municipalities can save from just on these tipping fees.”