Griffin Greenhouse Supplies and Tom Marting, the director of sustainable solutions at the HC Companies, recently hosted a webinar discussing the new plastic regulations in the industry. Marting is described as an expert in understanding what’s happening in the world of plastics and the regulations now coming into play.

The HC Companies strives to be “the sustainability leader in the industry,” and they have ambitious goals to keep them on track. They’re working to become virgin petroleum-based plastic-free in all of their products while also becoming fully recyclable and degradable, reducing their carbon and water use in the process.

Many states throughout America, and other countries across the world, are establishing new laws and regulations that try to reduce or eliminate plastic pollution, a growing environmental concern. These regulations follow four major trends: listing requirements for plastics, extended producer responsibility, truth in advertising and environmental risk disclosures.

Listing requirements for any plastic products is the main trend Marting has witnessed in these regulations. These requirements help regulate what can and cannot be on a plastic product and what the plastic product can and cannot be used for.

One main regulation being enforced is the average post-consumer recycled (PCR) content level of the manufacturers’ products.

In New Jersey, for example, there is a 10% PCR requirement for anything considered a “rigid plastic container” (any plastic container that can hold a product, holds its shape and is between 8 oz. and 5 gallons).

Manufacturers must be able to calculate and demonstrate to the state that they meet these standards or they’ll receive strict penalties until compliant. The HC Companies is really leaning into PCR requirements, with their products currently sitting at an average of 17% PCR.

Many new state plastic regulations include an extended producer responsibility section, stating producers must report to the state any plastic they’ve sold and pay any fees required. At the end of 2024, five U.S. states had this regulation enforced, and several others were discussing it.

In addition to reporting to the state what plastics they’ve sold, manufacturers also must report any environmental impacts they’ve caused, such as their carbon footprint.

There are also requirements for how producers and manufacturers can label their products. These truth-in-advertising laws protect consumers from misleading claims written on the product they’re purchasing.

Marting mentioned how “although many plastics can be melted down” – and therefore recycled – “it’s just not happening for most plastics.”

Products can only be marked as recyclable if they are free of any toxins that would prevent recycling, the state has the capacity and resources to recycle them, if recycling has economic viability and if consumers have access to the recyclers.

Recycling laws are different for each state, so it’s important to talk to an expert to ensure you’re following protocols and staying up to date with any changes. As more regulations are enforced, each step in the production chain will be affected.

by Kelsi Devolve