Cheap PET Imports Threaten US Recycling Industry
Domestic recycling capacity has dropped 25% as low-priced foreign plastic floods the market, industry leaders told federal trade officials.
The head of the Association of Plastic Recyclers told federal trade officials that low-priced imports are forcing closures at U.S. plastics recycling plants.
Steve Alexander, president and CEO of the APR, testified Wednesday before the Office of the United States Trade Representative. The hearing was part of Section 301 investigations into global oversupply and its effects on U.S. industries.
Alexander said seven U.S. polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, recycling facilities have closed in the past 15 months, cutting domestic PET recycling capacity by nearly 25%.
He attributed the closures to rising imports from countries including India, Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and China. Association data submitted to the trade office showed imports from India jumped more than 1,200% between 2021 and 2025 as prices fell over 60%. Imports from Indonesia rose more than 1,125% and from Thailand more than 2,278% in the same period.
Alexander also cited China’s expansion of virgin plastics production as a factor in global oversupply, which has driven down recycled plastics prices.
The association called for trade action under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 and requested exemptions for PET imports from Mexico and Canada to preserve North American supply chains.
Alexander’s full written testimony is available on the association’s website.
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Jesse Jacobs is Assistant Editor of EPOnline.com.
