Chemical Recycling Facility Visited by New York Legislators Appears Shut Down After Environmental Violations
Beyond Plastics has learned that Braven Environmental’s plastics pyrolysis — aka “chemical recycling” — facility in Zebulon, North Carolina, has been shut down by environmental regulators. In 2023, the American Chemistry Council brought New York state Assemblymembers Alicia Hyndman, Chantel Jackson, Stefani Zinerman, and others to the facility to show the “success” of so-called “chemical recycling,” which the petrochemical industry holds up as a solution to the plastic pollution crisis.
Major Chemical Recycling Facility Appears Shut Down After Environmental Violations in North Carolina, Underscoring Chemical Recycling’s Persistent Failures
Beyond Plastics has learned that Braven Environmental’s plastics pyrolysis facility in Zebulon, North Carolina, has been shut down. A Beyond Plastics staff member traveled to the facility on June 25, 2026, and observed that the site was non‑operational and that equipment and materials were being removed from the building. During that visit, an individual on-site stated that he had been hired to empty the building and that the facility had been ordered to close by environmental regulators.
Alterra Energy Withdraws Controversial Plastics Pyrolysis Proposal in Sugarloaf, Pennsylvania
Alterra Energy has withdrawn its proposal for a plastic pyrolysis facility in Sugarloaf, Pennsylvania, sparking relief from community members. Obtained from a public records request, a letter from Alterra Energy to the Sugarloaf Township Board of Supervisors officially withdrew the company’s proposal for a so-called “chemical recycling” facility.
One of the 11 Constructed Chemical Recycling Facilities in the United States Shuts Down
Oregon Regenyx Facility Closes, Further Exposing Industry’s Deceptive Claim That Chemical Recycling Is a Solution to Plastic Pollution
New Report Debunks Chemical Recycling’s False Promises to Manage Plastic Waste, Investigates All 11 U.S. Facilities
Today, Beyond Plastics and IPEN (the International Pollutants Elimination Network) — two leading organizations committed to addressing plastic pollution — released “Chemical Recycling: A Dangerous Deception,” a critical examination of the technology’s long history of failure and the threats it poses to the environment, human health, and environmental justice.
117 Organizations Urge New York Lawmakers to Reject Plastic Burning
117 NYS organizations are urging the New York State Legislature to reject state legislation that promotes the burning of plastics, also known as “chemical recycling.”
Beyond Plastics’ Response to the American Chemistry Council’s Poll of NYS Voters’ Views on So-Called “Advanced Recycling”
Beyond Plastics’ response to the American Chemistry Council’s release of its poll of New York State voters’ views on so-called “advanced recycling”.