Neel Brown: Can better policy unlock America's advanced recycling potential?

Neel Brown, Managing Director at the Progressive Policy Institute, discusses advanced recycling and its potential to transform plastic waste management, energy policy, and environmental impact in the latest episode of the Powering America Podcast. The conversation highlights the urgent need for effective solutions to address plastic waste in the United States.

WASHINGTON — July 7, 2026 — Neel Brown, Managing Director at the Progressive Policy Institute, joined the Powering America Podcast to discuss advanced recycling and its implications for plastic waste management, energy policy, and environmental impact. The episode delves into the challenges of traditional recycling methods and the potential benefits of advanced recycling technologies.

Brown emphasizes the staggering statistics surrounding plastic waste, noting, "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." He explains that advanced recycling offers a solution by breaking down hard-to-recycle plastics into their molecular components, allowing for the creation of new products that mechanical recycling cannot achieve. This innovative approach could significantly reduce the volume of plastic waste entering landfills.

The podcast also explores the economic advantages of advanced recycling for municipalities. Brown states, "We can create the incentives for them to find ways to make profit in doing things like diverting this plastic from landfills." He highlights that diverting plastic waste can lead to substantial savings for local governments, with potential annual savings of $328 million nationwide on landfill tipping fees.

The Progressive Policy Institute is a center-left think tank based in Washington, D.C. It focuses on pragmatic solutions to various policy issues, including energy, education, and defense.

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The Powering America Podcast explores topics related to energy, infrastructure, policy, and economic growth. It features expert insights and discussions aimed at informing listeners about critical issues affecting the nation.