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| North American recycling |
The long-term success of the circular economy hinges on robust end markets critical to recycling’s viability. Industry leaders at the 2026 National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) Waste Leadership Summit emphasized that technological progress alone cannot sustain recycling programs. As a result, stakeholders must prioritize consistent demand from consumer brands to ensure these systems remain economically sustainable.
Strengthening Domestic Supply Chains and Market Stability
Stable demand for processed commodities serves as the foundation for a functioning circular economy. WM executive Tara Hemmer recently highlighted that while material quality is at an all-time high, the industry requires long-term commitments from consumer brands to prevent market volatility. Meanwhile, Jessica Long of Closed Loop Partners argues that policymakers must actively promote domestic supply chains. By keeping material loops local, the industry can mitigate the risks associated with global supply chain disruptions. Furthermore, regional sourcing ensures that recovered resources remain within domestic markets, effectively insulating the industry from international price fluctuations.
Addressing Regulatory Hurdles and Market Volatility
The North American PET plastics sector currently faces a significant crisis due to non-domestic sourcing practices. To counter this, the NWRA is actively engaging with the U.S. Trade Representative to address potential dumping issues that undermine domestic processors. Consequently, industry experts are advocating for policies that foster a level playing field through accountability for imports. As the industry advances, artificial intelligence will likely play a transformative role in optimizing recovery processes. However, as Dan Kurtz of Waste Connections noted, the ultimate goal remains educating the public to ensure that recycling is both simple and economically rewarding.
ScrapInsight Commentary
The recycling industry is shifting from a focus on collection volume to prioritizing the economic sustainability of end markets critical to recycling’s viability.
We expect increased policy pressure regarding domestic content mandates and trade remedies to address the volatility currently plaguing the PET sector.
Strengthening local supply chains will be the definitive factor in moving toward a truly circular economy, transforming waste from a logistical burden into a reliable industrial feed source.
