Story perspectives

Two Advanced Recycling Plants Shut, Fleet Falls to Seven

7/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Freepoint Eco-Systems in Hebron, Ohio, and Braven Environmental in Zebulon, North Carolina, suspended operations after state regulators cited harmful air pollution and hazardous waste violations.
The shutdown reduces the U.S. advanced recycling fleet to seven plants, down from eleven in 2023.
Critics say the chemically-based process, heavily promoted by the chemicals industry and President Donald Trump’s administration, releases toxic chemicals and cannot be reliably or economically scaled.

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Story summary

Freepoint Eco-Systems in Hebron, Ohio, and Braven Environmental in Zebulon, North Carolina, suspended operations after state regulators cited harmful air pollution and hazardous waste violations.
The shutdown reduces the U.S. advanced recycling fleet to seven plants, down from eleven in 2023.
Critics say the chemically-based process, heavily promoted by the chemicals industry and President Donald Trump’s administration, releases toxic chemicals and cannot be reliably or economically scaled.