A plastic crisis is currently gripping the United States with little reprieve in sight. With the unpredictability of the oil and gas market, major producers in the industry are turning their attention to the creation of plastic, resulting in the glut of existing avenues of recycling while overwhelming current landfills. To counter this substantial increase in plastic production, the United States must take immediate action. To affect change, chemical recycling must be prioritized so that plastic can be reconfigured into an alternative fuel source. The technology is available to do so; thus, it is only a matter of an appropriate label, corresponding subsidy, strategic implementation, and a presidential signature to change the United States’ role from calamity creator to climate leader. This article will address current legislation attempting to combat the plastic crisis. It will then advance recommendations derived from the concept of using plastic to generate fuel.
Solving the U.S. Plastic Crisis: Chemical Recycling to Advance Plastic to Fuel Creation
- December 17, 2021
- by Rachel Blue

Rachel Blue is a 2021 graduate of Sturm College of Law, earning certificates in Natural Resources & Environmental Law and International Law. She is currently looking for a position as a policy analyst within the United States government. Until then, she continues to serve the Aurora/Denver Metro area as a Composition and Literature community college professor. Rachel would like to thank Professor KK DuVivier for inspiring this essay topic and pushing her to consider innovative solutions. Further, Rachel would also like to thank Sarah Brusseau for the invitation to publish with DIJLP. Lastly, Rachel would like to thank her children, Paloma and Phoenix, for motivating her to find the answers so that their futures may be cleaner and greener.
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