Election 2020 Issues Comparison: Plastics and Recycling

With just under eight weeks left before the 2020 elections, we continue to examine where President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden stand on some of the most critical issues to the vinyl industry. You can read previous issues comparisons here.

This week we explore the candidates’ positions on plastics and recycling. As with many issues, the candidates stand in far contrast to each other in their positions on plastics and recycling and the closely related matters affecting the industry.

President Trump’s Stance

President Trump has publicly taken many stands on recycling of plastics but has shown support for plastics manufacturing. The President toured and took credit for the building of the new Royal Dutch Shell petrochemical cracker plant in Pennsylvania in 2019. And Trump’s long-standing support for the petroleum industry and his regulatory reform agenda definitely benefits plastics manufacturing. The President has proposed cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) budget while also easing some EPA regulations which has aided industry.

In his 2017 budget, Trump proposed eliminating EPA’s Sustainable Materials Management program and the Waste Reduction Model, which would have impacted the recycling and waste management industry. Trump has also proposed cuts to the Department of Commerce’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program, which helps small- and medium-sized businesses reduce waste and increase recycling. The President has criticized the ban on plastic products while on the campaign trail.

Trump has supported some plastics and recycling efforts while president. On Nov. 15, 2019, the White House released a message regarding “America Recycles Day” saying, “Through American ingenuity and innovation, we will continue to seek ways to harness our Nation’s entrepreneurial spirit and promote recycling activities that support economic growth and environmental protection.” The Vinyl Institute signed the America Recycles pledge last year.

The President signed the Save Our Seas Act but when asked if there is too much plastic in the world, the President correctly pointed out that China and “various others” were responsible for the amount of plastic which is “floating over in the ocean.” More than a quarter of ocean plastic waste comes from China. In November 2019, outgoing Energy Secretary Rick Perry announced the “Plastics Innovation Challenge” to incentivize private sector innovation to stop plastic from entering the ocean or collect plastic more quickly once it has entered waterways.

Joe Biden’s Position

As the Democratic nominee for president, former Vice President Joe Biden brings uncertainty for the industry when it comes to reversing some of President Trump’s regulatory reform and changes in tax policy.

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris support a green agenda, clean energy, environmental justice, and maintaining certain EPA protections for the conservation land and water from oil drilling and waste. Biden’s climate action plan includes ensuring clean waterways and oceans but does not explicitly address waste and recycling issues. At a Jan. 3, 2020 campaign event, Biden said he supports banning plastic bags and declared they should be phased out. At a Feb. 9, 2020 campaign rally in New Hampshire, Biden again said the U.S. should be moving toward eliminating single-use plastics. Biden has spoken in favor of requiring a federal bottle deposit, banning plastic straws in restaurants, and encouraging reusable shopping bags.

The 2020 Democratic National Committee’s platform pledges to support “communities and businesses nationwide in their efforts to build zero-waste and circular economies, including efforts to eliminate plastic waste and food waste.”

By the way, visit the Vinyl Institute Voter Information Center, a nonpartisan resource that has information to help you prepare for the General Election.

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