The Recycling Leadership Council (RLC) is bringing together a broad coalition of industry leaders representing the recycling, manufacturing, packaging and consumer products sectors. It is led by the Consumer Brands Association.

In 2026, the RLC looks forward to working with Congress to spur recycling innovation and American manufacturing by modernizing America’s recycling system to better manage plastics throughout their lifecycle, it contends.

“To reduce plastic waste, we must modernize our recycling system. The formation of the Recycling Leadership Council is a pivotal step toward transforming how America manages plastic waste,” said John Hewitt, senior vice president at the Consumer Brands Association. “Leaders across technology, automotive, consumer goods, toys, and other industries are working together to meaningfully address policies and practices that prohibit plastic recycling at scale.”

Current RLC membership includes:

• Consumer Brands Association
• Ag Container Recycling Council
• Alliance for Automotive Innovation
• American Chemistry Council
• American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers
• Closed Loop Partners
• Council for Responsible Nutrition
• Household & Commercial Products Association
• International Sleep Products Association
• Meat Institute
• National Lubricant Container Recycling Coalition
• North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers
• Retail Industry Leaders Association  
• Vinyl Institute

“The RLC is united in support of policy frameworks that will unlock the investment and manufacturing innovation needed to modernize America’s aging recycling infrastructure to adequately handle the amount and types of plastic materials discarded today. The RLC has the strength of America’s leading industries behind it, sending a powerful signal to policymakers and consumers that the urgency to act is here,” said Hewitt.