Summary

The Plastics Waste Management Institute (PWMI) was founded in 1971 as the plastics industry's response to local governments' claims that the increase of plastics was a cause of trouble. PWMI currently receives $5 million per year from thirty petrochemical companies and $400,000 per year from MITI. PWMI employs twenty-one staff engineers who provide research and development in plastics waste recycling, pyrolysis, and incineration, and also provide surveys and public relations.

Highlights

• PWMI is supported by thirty petrochemical companies and MITI, which encourage R&D efforts that enable adequate disposal and recycling of waste plastics. As such, the institute's efforts are primarily focused on the recycling and incineration of waste plastics.

• The biodegradation position of PWMI was very negative. The company favors recycling and thermal recycling.