Houston’s Plastic Recycling Program: A Model or a Mirage?
The City of Houston is touting a new program designed to recycle any type of plastic as a model for the nation, but environmental groups are skeptical, CBS News reports.
The program, which launched late last year, aims to process a massive amount of plastic waste collected from Houston residents. However, despite collecting over 250 tons of plastic, almost none has actually been recycled. This is because the promised sorting and processing facility, crucial to the program’s success, is yet to be built.
“We’re gathering plastic now to ensure we’re ready for when the facility opens,” explained Ryan Tebbets, vice president of Cyclyx International, one of the companies involved in the project.
Cyclyx, with financial backing from ExxonMobil, claims its “advanced recycling” technology can transform any kind of plastic into usable pellets. This technology relies on heat to break down plastic, with a small amount being turned into new plastic, while the rest is used as fuel, generating greenhouse gas emissions.
“This is a solution that can finally address the mountain of plastic waste that we face,” said Ray Mastroleo, Exxon’s global market development manager. He asserts that the process “repurposes” plastic waste and is “real” and “happening.”
However, environmental groups like Air Alliance Houston are raising concerns. Brandy Deason, a climate justice coordinator, has been tracking her recycling using devices attached to her plastic bags. The trackers revealed her bags ended up at a storage site, not a recycling center, raising questions about the city’s claims.
“People in Houston believe their recycling is being taken care of, but it’s not,” Deason stated. “This is just another way for the industry to keep making money off of plastic.”
The skepticism is further fueled by the fact that the plastic industry has touted “advanced recycling” for decades without achieving large-scale success. Furthermore, Shell Oil recently abandoned its advanced recycling plans, deeming them “unfeasible.”
In light of these concerns, California’s attorney general is investigating Exxon, accusing the industry of deceiving the public about recycling for decades.
With the plastic pile in Houston growing, the city’s ambitious program is facing scrutiny.
