EPA Sets 50 Percent Recycling Target Despite Lack Of Regulatory Power

EPA is setting an economy-wide goal of recycling 50 percent of waste material including plastic, paper and metal by 2030 -- an aggressive target that the agency will rely on voluntary programs and guidance to achieve given its lack of statutory power to regulate recycling or to require the use of recycled materials in manufacturing. The goal will guide implementation of EPA’s recently proposed “strategy” document for boosting U.S. recycling capacity and adoption, and would represent a dramatic increase from...