February 24, 2025 • OPIS TALKS PETROCHEMICALS: Why does so much plastic waste end up in landfills? Plastic recycling is a complex matter and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. In this episode of OPIS Talks, Michael Lipton, president of Arizona Pacific Plastics, talks to Xavier Cronin, senior editor of Recycled Plastics Weekly about those complexities. They explore the distinction between post-industrial and post-consumer plastics, the economic challenges of recycling, and why so much plastic waste still ends up in landfills. Lipton provides an insider's perspective on the costs, logistics, and markets that drive the recycling industry. The conversation also touches on global recycling models, including Japan’s strict waste-sorting system, and whether the U.S. can improve its plastic recycling rates. Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on the real fate of the plastics you toss into your bin.