In 2023, The United States Imported Nearly 450000 Tons of Waste Plastics, Posing Challenges In The Production of Recycled Plastics

According to tracking by the U.S. Census Bureau, the total amount of plastic waste imported into the United States in 2023 exceeded 446700 metric tons. According to global consulting firm ICIS, the import of PET waste by reprocessing companies in the United States increased by 33% in 2023 compared to the previous year.

The United States became a net importer of plastic waste for the first time last year

Skeptics worried that plastic recycling is a dead end may want to note that the demand for plastic waste in the United States in 2023 will exceed its ability to put enough plastic bottles and other items into recycling bins. According to ICIS data, the United States became a net importer of plastic waste for the first time last year. The country's reprocessing industry imported 33% more polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste last year than the previous year.

In February, ICIS wrote, "Although some relationships remain steadfast, such as the plastic waste trade between North American partners Canada, Mexico, and the United States, others are strengthening, especially the United States' import of PET plastic waste from Asia. The US Census Bureau's annual trade data shows that the import of plastic waste from the United States (HS code 3915) continues to increase.". This number increased by 5% year-on-year, with a total of over 446700 metric tons by 2023. The import of plastic waste includes used bottles and other forms of recycled materials, such as purification materials, remaining ingredients, and existing sheet materials.

The production of recycled plastics in the United States is facing challenges

Despite impressive import data, ICIS states that the production of recycled plastics in the United States is facing challenges. The company stated that many plastic grades used for cost sensitive applications, such as those used for building materials, durable goods, and packaging, have seen a significant decrease in demand due to the continued influx of low-cost raw materials into the market.

ICIS stated that even the recent entry into consumer packaging levels in the US market is facing weak market conditions, with customers turning to imported recycled resins.

"Some recycling companies now purchase cheap immediate or imported recycled PET sheets, process them into food grade granular products, and sell their internally produced sheets directly to customers from high cost domestic packaging materials," ICIS said. "In the long run, the United States will seek to import packaging or sheet materials not only for cost reasons, but also to meet the growth of domestic plastic recycling capacity, despite the stagnant domestic plastic recycling rate."

According to statistics from the US Census Bureau, Thailand is one of the countries that ships PET waste to the United States, and its shipments now account for 11% of the total PET plastic waste imports in the United States. However, it still lags behind neighboring Canada, which provided 29% of PET waste in 2023.

When using various raw materials, including recycled materials, for extrusion, it is also necessary to consider the issue of dosing accuracy. WalthMac's Gravimetrci Batch Blending System process not only improves the accuracy of granular material batching, but also allows for thorough mixing of raw materials, ensuring the quality of the produced products.http://mao.ecer.com/test/gravimetricsystem.com/sale-43144499-dosing-and-mixing-raw-materials-gravimetric-blending-system-four-components.html

(Content and picture from China-plas Online Website)