While public conversations about plastics, waste, and recycling are receiving renewed attention in the media, public policy efforts are lagging, fail to address sustainable materials management and a circular economy as an integrated system, and are disconnected from significant gains and efforts by industry leaders.

As a result, we have so far largely missed the opportunity. Waste generation, recycling, and other diversion rates are unchanged in the last several decades. We need a broader policy discussion that looks beyond news stories to the real pragmatic issues that are preventing forward progress. 

The Circular Economy Coalition is seeking to engage directly with Congress to educate policymakers on sustainable materials management and the circular economy in practice, the environmental and societal benefits possible, and real-life experiences and solutions that can deliver.