CHEMICAL RECYCLING TRACKER

Since Beyond Plastics and IPEN released our 2023 report CHEMICAL RECYCLING: A DANGEROUS DECEPTION, we have continued tracking existing and proposed so-called “chemical recycling” facilities nationwide.

This map tracks the recent history of “chemical recycling” facilities in the U.S. We are are currently aware of only six commercial-scale chemical recycling facilities processing plastic waste in the United States — because chemical recycling does not work at scale, generates enormous amounts of hazardous waste, and poses demonstrable dangers to communities and environments.

You can sort this map by current facility status. Due to opaque self-reporting in the space, not all information about all facilities or proposal is readily available; information included below has been verified from public sources.

Where available, further facility details are linked to full profiles at Oil and Gas Watch, by the Environmental Integrity Project.

FACILITY STATUS KEY

• Operating: These facilities are currently operating at commercial scale.

• Proposed: These facilities are proposed, and may be moving through stages that range from permitting and construction.

• Proposed, No Activity: These facilities were proposed more than 3 years ago, and there is no current public indication of forward progress towards opening.

• Proposed, Never Opened: These facility proposals were withdrawn or significantly changed.

• Closed/Failed: These facilities operated at least briefly before closing, for reasons that range from technical breakdowns to environmental violations to financial challenges.

This map is still in beta form; please email ritaoconnell@bennington.edu with any questions or to note any issues.

This map is a research resource compiled from public records, company disclosures, and published reporting. Facility locations may be approximate. Statuses, ownership, partnerships, capacity figures, and operating dates reflect the sources reviewed and may change. Capacity figures describe reported or proposed design capacity, not verified actual production, utilization, or recycling performance. Where relevant, entries distinguish feedstock input, product output, and total mixed-waste capacity. Units and calculation assumptions are identified where available.

Closure categories summarize the cited information and are not independent findings of illegality, wrongdoing, or liability. We make reasonable efforts to maintain accuracy, but errors and omissions may occur. Please send correction requests, including supporting documentation, to ritaoconnell@bennington.edu

Last updated: 10/21/26.