Newaygo, Michigan, plastics facility sparks concerns over pollution and climate impact

Plans to build a chemical recycling facility in Newaygo, Michigan, have raised environmental and regulatory questions about its impact on the community.

Anne McNeil, Aleksandr V. Zhukhovitskiy, and Yutan Getzler write for The Conversation.

In short:

The Newaygo facility will convert plastic waste into fuels through pyrolysis, which emits greenhouse gases and pollutants.
Michigan law classifies chemical recycling as manufacturing, allowing the plant to bypass stricter pollution controls.
Experts argue that turning plastics into fuel worsens climate change and fails to qualify as true recycling.

Why this matters:

Burning plastic-derived fuels exacerbates air pollution and climate change. Labeling such processes as recycling may mislead the public while undermining efforts to promote sustainable waste management solutions.

Learn more: Chemical recycling grows — along with concerns about its environmental impacts

theconversation.com

Newaygo, Michigan, plastics facility sparks concerns over pollution and climate impact

Climate complacency is a worry, says UN environment head

EU to weaken more environment reporting rules, draft document shows

Federal judge finds Trump’s halt on wind energy is illegal

Data centers for AI could nearly triple San Jose’s energy use. Who foots the bill?

AI data center backlash: Public opposition to new projects is growing

Nowhere to move: How climate change became the property market’s biggest nightmare

Extreme heat hampers children’s early learning

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.