western plastics association annual meeting
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Western Plastics Association Annual Meeting. ACC’s Flexible Film Recycling Group: Benchmarking b est practices for sustainable plastics film packaging Kate Eagles, Moore Recycling Associates June 19, 2014. Today’s presentation . . . S tate of film recycling - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
ACC’s Flexible Film Recycling Group: Benchmarking best practices for
sustainable plastics film packaging
Kate Eagles, Moore Recycling AssociatesJune 19, 2014
Western Plastics AssociationAnnual Meeting
Today’s presentation . . .
State of film recycling
Challenges and opportunities for growth
FFRG's current programs and progress towards increased recycling
Partnership options
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Significant growth in polyethylene film recycling is critical to further enhance its sustainability and customer acceptance.
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Source Reduction Benefits of Plastics
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State of Film Recycling: Positive
Market demand remains strong
Established collection infrastructure
Widespread access
More than 1 billion pounds of plastic bags and product wraps recycled in 2012 – up 56 percent from 2005
Industry demanding more material
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Public/customer misperceptions regarding recyclability
Lack of public awareness of recyclable film packaging beyond bags
Limited access for small and medium sized businesses that seek end-of-life recovery options for film
Market misperceptions regarding demand for film post “Green Fence”
Challenges Impeding Significant Growth
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Quotes from NERC’s Guest Blogger, Ted Siegler with DSM Environmental Services, Inc., May 5 2014, “More Flexible Packaging Insights”
“But the costs, especially to the marine environment of discharging potentially billions of pounds of this material [flexible packaging films] into the marine environment are also immense, and at the current time represent externalities that resin producers, and film manufacturers and packagers do not have to incorporate into their products . . . . As Matt Prindville points out, there is a need for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to assure that these externalities are accounted for.”
“Let’s recognize that light weight plastic packaging is here to stay, and will continue to grow. However since the externalities associated with its’ use and growth are currently not incorporated in the price of its use, it’s time to couple this growth with serious expenditures by producers to fund the infrastructure necessary to not only assure that this packaging is recycled, but also properly disposed and kept out of our rivers, lakes and oceans.”
Some Targeting Plastic Film for EPR
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Increasing consumer awareness & engagement in PE film recycling
Expanding access to capture billions of pounds of commercial film from untapped sources
Stakeholder public outreach/education collaborative
Opportunities for Improvement
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Annual bag/film report that demonstrates growth
Special PE film collection study validates widespread recycling access for FTC compliance
Comprehensive web resource supporting bag and film recycling (created in 2005) - now plasticfilmrecycling.org
Consistent engagement in value chain sustainability groups
Film Recycling an Established ACC Priority
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FFRG is a self-funded group of ACC’s Plastics Division.
Assembles stakeholders in the film and bag value chain(material suppliers, converters, brand owners, recyclers) to support PE film recycling.
Primary Goal: Double PE film recycling by 2017.
ACC Flexible Film Recycling Group
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Engage key stakeholders in increasing film recycling
Supply educational tools and resources for consumers and businesses
Establish and help implement film recycling programs for communities and businesses
What FFRG Does
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Implement a multi-year strategic plan to address barriers to growth and expand opportunities in collection, processing, and markets.
Key Strategies: Develop essential educational resources; Forge alliances with key allied groups (SPC,
APR); Engage in public outreach campaigns with
key stakeholders (retailers, state agencies, non-profits);
Establish best practices for increased recycling.
FFRG’s Roadmap for Strong Growth
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Dedicated section of educational materials to support consumer & commercial film recycling – posters, program tip sheets, tip cards, refrigerator magnets, waste audit guide, etc.
Educational Materials & Resources
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Sustainable Packaging Coalition Partnering to promote adoption
“How2Recycle” film label Huge opportunity to expand recycling
awareness Several major companies have adopted
through ACC sponsorships
Association of Postconsumer Recyclers Jointly supporting film recycling
markets/Guidelines PE Film Recycling
Film Recycling Education Key Partnerships
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Public-private partnership to dramatically increase recycling of polyethylene bags, wraps and film, started in 2013.
Stakeholders: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, ACC Flexible Film Recycling Group, Sustainable Packaging Coalition, Bemis, SC Johnson, and Trex.
Implementing pilots to test effective approaches and tools to increase postconsumer and commercial film recycling.
Wisconsin is the starting point for expansion to other states.
Wisconsin Wrap Recycling Action Project (WRAP)
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What is WRAP? Multi-stakeholder collaborative to increase public
awareness and involvement in PE film recycling Provides a platform for state/local governments, retailers,
non-profit groups/NGOs, brands and others to collaborate and pool their resources
Status Engaging key stakeholders Building platform Promoting collaboration Preparing to launch later this year
National Public Awareness Initiative Wrap Recycling Action Program
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Film packaging is abundant and growing, but needs effective end of life options
There is steady growth in film recycling, but much more can be done & How2recycle label provides a huge opportunity
FFRG is implementing a roadmap to drive strong growth and ever increasing recycling rates
Success depends on more value chain engagement and support
FFRG invites the WPA to become a WRAP partner
Strong Growth in Film Recycling Must Become a Priority
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Avangard Innovative Berry Plastics
Bemis Dow ChemicalChevronPhillips
ExxonMobil Chemical Company Sealed Air Corporation
SC Johnson Superbag
Trex Company, Inc.Verdeco Plastics
Wisconsin Film & Bag
FFRG Members
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•Shari Jackson•Director, Film Recycling
• American Chemistry Council • 700 – 2nd Street NE • Washington, DC 20002• Shari_Jackson@ameri
canchemistry.com•(202) 249-6616
Thank You! FFRG Contact: