Over his first four weeks in office, President Donald Trump signed a number of executive orders that reduce regulatory burdens on American job creators. Such a vision will help reinvigorate the economy and the nation’s industrial base. Of course, these orders will help all industries, but are particularly needed to reverse the damage done by the previous administration to the plastics sector.
Plastics were a targeted casualty of the Biden administration’s war on manufacturing. Excessive and inconsistent regulations resulted in hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars going toward government bureaucracy rather than jobs and innovation. Instead of crippling the industry, policymakers must make it easier to affordably and cleanly produce plastics domestically.
In a noteworthy move in early February, the president signed a reversal of the Biden administration’s policy that had essentially prohibited plastic straws. This executive order marked a clear shift in how the new administration will treat plastics compared to the previous one.
This is a strong first step toward correcting how the federal government treats a backbone of the country’s manufacturing base. This shift makes sense. Plastics support more than 26% of all manufacturing and more than 700,000 well-paying jobs, with salaries averaging almost $70,000 per year. These are jobs that are essential for a strong middle class.
First, plastics play a critical role in manufacturing, allowing for the creation of products that millions of Americans depend on. For example, in health care, plastics make possible miracle products such as custom prosthetics, as well as everyday products like medical tubing. In the food industry, advanced packaging materials – made with plastics – let Americans transport foods farther. It also helps them keep them longer, slashing food waste and providing Americans with diverse foods sourced from across the nation. There are similar examples in every industry, including automotives, construction, aerospace, clothing, machinery – the list goes on. […]
— Read More: issuesinsights.com
