Solving plastic pollution could boost US jobs, economy, and innovation

What if tackling plastic pollution could also mean more American jobs, a stronger economy, and lower costs for our waste systems? A well-designed global agreement on plastics could do just that—by aligning nations around clear, consistent rules for how plastics are made and used.

A global agreement that provides standardization on plastic would not be a burden to the US—in fact, it is an amazing opportunity for our nation. For one, it would mean more jobs in a modernized plastics circular economy. With clear, consistent rules in place, the US plastics value chain is projected to see a 27% increase in jobs. And these aren’t only factory jobs. Sectors like recycling, reuse, and waste management are expanding rapidly in response to rising demand for sustainable materials. Economic activity along the plastics value chain is expected to increase by 30%, driven by innovation, efficiency, and modernization.

As demand for recycled materials grow under the treaty, the US is already seeing a shift: in 2024 alone, imports of recycled PET (rPET) rose by 20%, a clear sign of growing domestic demand and a major opportunity to ramp up domestic production of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content.

A strong treaty would accelerate this momentum, helping to build a more circular system that enhances US competitiveness and reduces reliance on volatile international supply chains. Indeed, while the whole world would see considerable gains—with recycled content increasing globally by 77%—the US is projected to lead that growth, doubling its domestic supply of recycled content.

This surge in recycled content would be made possible by smarter design rules that eliminate problematic single-use plastics and enhance collection and processing systems. Notably, while collection rates in the US are expected to remain flat in this scenario, the recycling rate would improve by 21%, meaning more of what we collect actually gets recycled rather ending up in landfills or incinerators.

Standardized design requirements also mean more efficiency and lower public waste management costs. And here too the US stands to gain more than any other country—$60 billion in net public waste management costs. That’s a 17% drop compared to the fragmented system we have today, a consequence of smarter design, lower waste volumes, and expanded Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs, which shift the financial burden of plastic waste from local and state governments to the companies that produce it—and are expected to more than double in value by 2040.

Less waste also means less strain on local budgets. Under a treaty, the US is expected to cut plastic waste by 7% by 2040, the largest reduction of any nation. And while plastic production may decline slightly, this is largely offset by growth in recycling, reuse, and waste management—resulting in just a 1% reduction in overall economic activity.

The environmental wins would be just as meaningful. Under a global agreement, mismanaged plastic waste would fall by 13% in the US and 23% worldwide, easing pressure on ecosystems and infrastructure. While 13% may seem modest, it represents a significant drop in plastic leakage into our lakes, rivers, and coastlines. That means less pollution, healthier ecosystems, and cleaner communities.

The legacy of a strong plastics agreement would be felt for generations—here in America and around the world. This is a chance for the US to lead. By backing a bold, ambitious agreement, we can protect our environment and health, fuel our economy, and invest in a cleaner, safer and more prosperous future.

*The model used for the findings in this blog was adapted from Systemiq’s Plastic Treaty Futures report.