| The Honorable Dan CrenshawU.S. House of RepresentativesWashington, DC 20515 | The Honorable Gary PalmerU.S. House of RepresentativesWashington, DC 20515 |
Dear Representatives Crenshaw and Palmer
On behalf of the undersigned organizations, representing a broad coalition of taxpayer, free-market, and consumer advocates, we write to express our strong support for H.R. 6566, the Recycling Technology Innovation Act. This important legislation provides much-needed regulatory clarity for advanced recycling technologies, giving businesses the long-term certainty necessary to develop and succeed. We are proud to endorse H.R. 6566 and urge all Members of Congress to co-sponsor and support this legislation.
Plastics are a critical input for nearly every major manufacturing sector, including electronics, automotive production, medical equipment, and consumer staples. One of the key advantages of plastics is their ability to be broken down and recycled into new products. While plastics are initially derived from petroleum, recycling keeps these finite materials in circulation and reduces strain on local waste management systems that often depend on taxpayer funding. Advanced recycling technologies not only help divert plastic from landfills, incinerators, and the environment, but also keep valuable materials within the domestic economy—strengthening U.S. supply chains and supporting American jobs.
Aligning federal policy with existing state frameworks would promote regulatory consistency, reduce confusion, and enable businesses to plan and invest with greater certainty. Indeed, many have noted that the greatest barrier to expanding advanced recycling today is not a lack of technological capability, but burdensome and outdated government regulations.
While free-market actors have successfully built this important industry, the regulatory framework governing it has not kept pace. Federal regulators have applied inconsistent interpretations of the Clean Air Act, leaving companies uncertain about how advanced recycling will be regulated and exposing them to costly and protracted litigation. In addition, some states classify advanced recycling as “waste incineration,” a designation that often prevents new facilities from becoming operational.
The Recycling Technology Innovation Act addresses this problem by providing the regulatory certainty businesses need. H.R. 6566 clarifies that advanced recycling is not waste incineration, but a manufacturing process that converts used plastics into new materials. This clear distinction would prevent unnecessary regulatory barriers that increase costs, stifle innovation, and deter investment in modern recycling technologies. With 25 states already recognizing advanced recycling as manufacturing rather than incineration, updating federal policy would promote consistency and harmonize regulations nationwide.
As Congress considers comprehensive permitting reform to streamline government reviews of infrastructure and energy projects, we believe that this legislation would be a worthwhile inclusion in any such package. Many communities would benefit from new recycling facilities, but long and unpredictable review timelines often delay construction and increase costs. A more predictable and transparent permitting system for everything would help projects move forward on schedule, support better planning for local leaders, and reduce the financial risks that often discourage private investment.
Passing the Recycling Technology Innovation Act is a practical way to support economic growth, improve recycling, and encourage private sector investment. Pairing this effort with more reliable permitting processes would help ensure that new facilities can be built efficiently and begin delivering value to communities across the country. We are proud to support your proposal and look forward to working with you to help it become law.
Sincerely,
