Welcome to the Plastics Weekly, NEO’s regular news monitoring of the plastics industry.
Every Monday, we publish a roundup of the top developments in plastics and sustainability – from regulatory changes to company news.
This week’s highlights:
- The U.S. is the world’s largest consumer of plastic, with 2 million metric tonnes winding up in the ocean, according to a new report. Scientists call on the nation to reduce production, even as major oil companies work to expand their capacity to produce raw materials. (Bloomberg)
- The global plastic recycling market is rapidly growing due to government and industry support, as well as overall sustainability goals. The market is expected to reach $47.3 billion by 2026, according to a new report. (Environmental Leader)
- More use of recycled plastics is key to developing a sustainable primary plastic trade network, researchers say. But financial and behavioural difficulties will need to be addressed before a true circular economy for plastics can emerge. (Open Access Government)
