Green Arenas

CREDITS

Podcast Credits

SOURCE MATERIAL

Buckeye Environmental Network. (2025, March 4). Plastic Incineration - Buckeye Environmental Network. https://benohio.org/issues/plastic-incineration/

Adams, C. (2026, May 1). The U.S. EPA is trying to deregulate pyrolysis. Here’s how Ohio is impacted. Buckeye Environmental Network. https://benohio.org/the-u-s-epa-is-trying-to-deregulate-pyrolysis-heres-how-ohio-is-impacted/

Harfield, T. (2025, April 3). Unveiling the science behind ‘Pyrolysis.’ Biochar Today. https://biochartoday.com/blog/spill-the-char/unveiling-the-science-behind-pyrolysis/

What is Pyrolysis? : USDA ARS. (n.d.). https://www.ars.usda.gov/northeast-area/wyndmoor-pa/eastern-regional-research-center/docs/biomass-pyrolysis-research-1/what-is-pyrolysis/

Pollard, B. (2026, May 26). Ohio Plastic Pyrolysis Facility Loses Recycling Status after New OH EPA Violation. Buckeye Environmental Network. https://benohio.org/ohio-plastic-pyrolysis-facility-loses-recycling-status-after-new-oh-epa-violation/

ShropshireCouncil. (2024, April 29). Pyrolysis explained [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V924DDYMvPQ

ProPublica. (2024, August 24). Pyrolysis and the deception behind plastic recycling [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06wOoPngOwM

Buckeye Environmental Network. (2026, March 2). Home - Buckeye Environmental Network. https://benohio.org/

What is pyrolysis?

The oil & gas industry is greenwashing plastic burning and calling it “advanced recycling,” “chemical recycling,” “waste-to-fuel recycling,” “plastic-to-fuel recycling,” and many more names. Single-use and other “hard to recycle” plastics are put into giant chemical vats and heated until they decompose into liquids and gases. During this process, cancerous pollutants are leaked into Ohio’s air and water. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, plastic burning generates little to no recycled plastic. Instead, it produces oil/gas produces hazardous, toxic wastes linked to cancer which increases environmental injustices. These are petrochemical facilities. Petrochemicals are components derived from oil and gas that are used in all sorts of daily products such as plastics, fertilizers, packaging, clothing, digital devices, medical equipment, detergents and tires.