In 2011, it was a major sponsor of the 5th International Marine Debris Conference which endorsed the Honolulu Commitment[clarification needed] to reduce harmful plastics in the environment.

[12] The ACC stepped in in 2023 to prohibit the passage of the Packaging Reduction & Recycling Act in New York state, spending a total $120,000 on two lobbying firms, Greenberg Traurig and Craig Johnson’s Long Point Advisors, to work on its behalf for the duration of the legislative session.

According to a 2000 study, plants owned by RC participating firms improved their relative environmental performance more slowly than non members.

In the United States, in July 2008, the Seattle City Council voted to impose an additional 20 cent fee on each plastic bag purchased from stores by shoppers as a convenience for transportation of goods.

This effort was suspended until a referendum could be held in 2009, allowing voters a chance to weigh in on the issue of whether they should continue to be encouraged to support industry by purchasing plastic bags without considering disposal costs.

During the period leading up to the referendum vote the American Chemistry Council stepped into this local affair, ultimately spending some $1.4 million on their successful effort to thwart the proposed system of fully accounting for the cost of plastic bags.

The ordinance, in effect since 2012, prohibits supermarkets, pharmacies, corner shops and others from distributing single-use plastic bags, with fines for violations.