Chemical Recycling Debate in New York | Albany News

Albany News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 1, 2026 · 1m

New York’s plastic waste battle heats up as lawmakers clash over chemical recycling—promoted by industry as a miracle fix but slammed by environmentalists as greenwashing with steep costs and shaky science. A major bill seeks to slash single-use plastics and hold producers accountable, but lobbyists are rallying against its stance on chemical recycling, pushing instead for regulatory leniency. Critics highlight the tech’s energy hogging, emissions, and inability to handle real-world trash mixtures, while a North Carolina plant’s closure casts doubt on the whole concept. With no clear data on…