Illinois Plastic Pellet Law Adds Stormwater Permit Controls

Illinois has enacted a plastic pellet law requiring stormwater permit controls for certain plastics facilities. Effective 1 January 2027, it directs the state regulator to begin implementation within one year. Resin producers and plastics processors should review pellet-loss controls, drainage, housekeeping and permit plans before requirements enter individual NPDES permits.

Dr Steven Brennan

12 August 20262 min readAI-drafted, expert reviewed

Illinois approved Public Act 104-0772 on 7 August 2026, creating a statutory route for plastic pellet controls in stormwater permits. The Illinois plastic pellet law affects defined organic-chemical, resin, synthetic-fibre and plastics moulding facilities, with implications for material handling, warehousing, loading areas and contractor practices across the plastics supply chain.

The law takes effect on 1 January 2027. It directs the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to develop and begin implementing the permit requirements within one year, meaning by 1 January 2028. It does not impose an immediate facility-level handling standard before that process.

NPDES Permits Will Address Preproduction Plastic

The Illinois plastic pellet law applies to facilities regulated under 40 CFR Part 414, covering organic chemicals, plastics and synthetic fibres, or Part 463, covering plastics moulding and forming. Operators outside those federal categories are not brought into scope by this section alone.

Illinois EPA must incorporate requirements into relevant National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits through a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan or similar best-management-practice conditions. The controls must address plastic pellets and other preproduction plastic materials in stormwater runoff.

The Act sets no pellet-count or discharge-concentration threshold, facility-size threshold, de minimis exemption or express grandfathering provision. Detailed operating requirements will depend on permit implementation.

Pellet-Loss Prevention Needs Site-Wide Evidence

Affected operators should review where plastic pellets and other preproduction plastic materials could enter stormwater runoff and assess the relevant NPDES permit and stormwater pollution prevention plan.

The Act does not prescribe particular containment equipment, contractual terms, record formats or operating procedures. Those details will depend on Illinois EPA implementation and individual permit conditions.

Prepare Before Permit Conditions Arrive

The Illinois plastic pellet law is a final state law, but facility duties will be implemented through later permit conditions. Companies should monitor Illinois EPA's process, review existing stormwater plans and identify capital or procedural gaps.

The law is limited to Illinois facilities regulated under 40 CFR Part 414 or Part 463 and does not itself establish requirements outside Illinois.

Official source

Illinois General Assembly, Public Act 104-0772 (7 August 2026)

ilga.gov

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Questions about this change

Which Facilities Does The Illinois Plastic Pellet Law Cover?

The law covers Illinois facilities regulated under federal effluent categories in 40 CFR Part 414 for organic chemicals, plastics and synthetic fibres, or Part 463 for plastics moulding and forming. It does not automatically cover every pellet handler. Applicability will depend on the facility's NPDES permit and Illinois EPA implementation.

What Should Affected Facilities Review Before 2027?

Review pellet transfer, storage, loading and drainage points; update stormwater maps and spill procedures; assess containment and recovery equipment; and document training, inspections and incidents. The law takes effect on 1 January 2027, while Illinois EPA must begin implementing permit requirements by 1 January 2028.