FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
CONTACT
Kyla Bennett [email protected] (508) 230-9933
Recyclers Ban Fluorinated Containers Due to PFAS
EPA Being Sued for Its Failure to Stop This Forever Chemical Contamination
Washington, DC — The recycling industry has stepped up to address a threat of toxic forever chemical contamination where the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has failed, according to Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). An industry certifying organization has voluntarily stopped classifying certain fluorinated plastic containers as recyclable since the process creates high levels of harmful per-and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS). This action may spur manufacturing reforms that would prevent widespread adulteration of foodstuffs and consumer products from PFAS leaching from container linings into the products inside.
In an October 1, 2025, statement, the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), a leading industry group, announced that it “placed APR Design Recognition for packaging or technologies that contain intentionally added fluorinated components or ingredients on hold and is not renewing or accepting new applications.” Purchasers of agricultural and industrial containers typically rely upon the APR review process to inform which containers they buy. APR’s decision to halt review of new and existing applications for products that contain “intentionally added fluorinated components or ingredients” leaves fluorinated containers at a distinct market disadvantage.
APR’s announcement of its decision prompted Inhance Technologies, LLC, the principal maker of fluorinated containers that produces approximately 200 million such containers per year, to go on the offensive. In a counterstatement issued on October 7th, Inhance called APR’s action “deeply concerning” and protested that the “decision was taken without consulting Inhance Technologies…”
APR cited California’s new legislation to tighten labeling requirements for plastic products which may be designated as “recyclable” as a major factor in its new stance. Given the presence of “forever chemicals” which do not readily break down, it is unclear if Inhance’s products could ever meet these new standards which take effect in October 2026.
“This is an instance where consumer protection also provides public health protection,” stated PEER Science Policy Director Kyla Bennett, a scientist and attorney formerly with EPA. “These PFAS-laden containers are a concerning source of contamination throughout the stream of commerce and are a similar threat to the recycling chain.”
In 2023, EPA ordered Inhance to stop marketing its container fluorination process after finding it posed an unreasonable threat to human health and the environment. Inhance won a court order blocking EPA’s move, a ruling which EPA declined to appeal. Since then, EPA has taken no further enforcement action. In 2024, PEER and the Center for Environmental Health sued EPA charging that it was evading its legal mandate to protect public health. That suit is still pending.
“On the risks posed by fluorinating containers, EPA was right on the science but inept on the law,” Bennett added. “Nonetheless, EPA has no excuse for walking away from legal mandates to prevent needless public and environmental exposure to harmful chemicals.”
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Read the APR October 1 statement
Compare the Inhance counterstatement
Look at new California recycling law
PEER protects public employees who protect our environment. We are a service organization for environmental and public health professionals, land managers, scientists, enforcement officers and other civil servants dedicated to upholding environmental laws and values. We work with current and former federal, state, local and tribal employees.
