New Report Underscores Plastics' Role in U.S. Manufacturing; Texas Positioned as Key Player

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new economic analysis by the American Chemistry Council (ACC) reveals that plastic is indispensable to critical U.S. industries – from automotive and aerospace to healthcare and electronics – that employ nearly 5 million Americans and pay over $391 billion in U.S. wages. Texas, a national leader in chemical production and a key hub for plastics manufacturing and innovation, is deeply integrated into the industries driving this economic impact.

This morning, Ross Eisenberg, president of America’s Plastic Makers, will testify before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on the Environment. He will outline a “3-Point Plan to Recycle More Plastics and Strengthen American Manufacturing” aimed at modernizing recycling infrastructure, cutting waste, and making U.S. manufacturing supply chains more competitive.

As the nation’s top exporter of manufactured goods, many of which rely on plastic, Texas stands to benefit significantly from the proposed policy changes, which could energize local industry and job growth.

“Plastic is versatile, cost effective, and essential,” says Eisenberg. “It’s critical to American innovation, from life-saving medical equipment to safer, lighter cars. But to strengthen U.S. supply chains, we need to modernize recycling and embrace policies that drive more recycled plastic into the market.”

Key findings from ACC’s report, Plastics in American Manufacturing:

• Nearly 27% of U.S. manufacturing output comes from sectors where plastic makes up 5% or more of material inputs.
• The plastic manufacturing sector itself employs 670,000 Americans and pays nearly $50 billion in wages. The plastic resin sector holds a nearly $22 billion trade surplus, making it one of the limited U.S. industries that exports more than it imports.

As demand grows for products made with recycled plastic, Eisenberg’s testimony will highlight how advanced recycling technologies can dramatically expand the amount and types of plastic that can be reused – turning waste into valuable new products.

America’s Plastic Makers’ 3-Point Plan calls on policymakers to:

1. Recognize advanced recycling as manufacturing and count plastic made this way as recycled content.
2. Establish federal recycling standards to create consistency and scale plastic recycling.
3. Assert American leadership in crafting a global agreement on curbing plastic pollution.

“Our 3-Point Plan is a win-win,” adds Eisenberg. “It would grow American manufacturing jobs, boost recycling, and position the U.S. as a global leader in plastic manufacturing and recycling.”

The full ACC report details how plastic supports sectors as diverse as aerospace, medical devices, food and beverage packaging, and clean energy technologies. It draws on the latest Bureau of Economic Analysis data to illustrate how deeply plastic is woven into the fabric of the U.S. economy.  

ACC’s Plastics in Manufacturing Report can be accessed here.

America’s Plastic Makers’ 3 Point Plan to Recycle More Plastics and Strengthen American Manufacturing can be accessedhere.

NOTE: The 3-Point Plan draws from specific policy proposals in America’s Plastic Makers’ 5 Actions for Sustainable Change, a comprehensive plan to accelerate a circular economy for plastics. America’s Plastic Makers continue to strive for federal legislation that will codify all 5 Actions.