Demand Creates Value and Value Drives Recycling.
APR knows that consistent, reliable demand for recycled plastic is critical for recycling to be mature, vibrant and sustainable. APR also knows that a strong demand-pull for recycled plastics is needed to ensurea robust recycling supply chain.
The APR Recycling Demand Champions program plays a prominent role in:
- Strengthening and increasing domestic demand for residential mixed plastics,
- Helping prevent “ocean plastics” by stimulating strong North American markets,
- Mitigating reliance on export markets,
- Driving investment,
- Producing more high-quality PCR, and
- Boosting a circular economy for plastic packaging.
What Is It and How Does it Work?
This intent of this program is two-fold: to drive end-market demand for PCR and to recognize companies for their increased investment in PCR-containing products. Businesses, government entities, universities and more can participate and through their participation they become APR Recycling Demand Champions.
Champions commit to increase their PCR use in the coming year. They achieve this by purchasing any new use of PCR. APR hosts an ever-expanding vendor directory to make it easier for companies to source products containing PCR. Each company’s commitment to purchase goods manufactured with broad specification PCR, to develop a new application for PCR, or to increase PCR usage in a current application makes a significant and measurable impact in strengthening plastic recycling markets.
Become a Champion today! Select your category below to learn more.
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Private Sector Companies
Who is Eligible?
This program is designed for private businesses of all kinds and sizes. Any non-public entity may participate.
What Do Champions Do?
APR Recycling Demand Champions commit to purchase new volume PCR to drive demand in the recycling marketplace. Any new use of PCR qualifies: Champions can meet their commitment through purchasing “work in process” (WIP) durable goods containing PCR or using PCR in other applications, such as packaging, film, etc. Champions play a prominent role in expanding the market for mixed residential plastics, driving investment, increasing supply and producing more high-quality PCR.
The Program has two ways to participate:
- Product Buyers purchase products that contain PCR.
- Product Makers purchase PCR (pellet or flake) and incorporate it into their products.
How it Works
STEP 1: Sign the Commitment Letter.
- Download and sign this pledge. Return the completed form to APR's Director of Market Development.
STEP 2: Purchase PCR containing item(s) OR expand your current use of PCR
- Buy everyday use/catalog order items or WIP (work-in-process) items, and/or
- Increase the amount of PCR in a current product or application, and/or
- Develop a new product or application for PCR.
STEP 3: Report your progress to APR.
STEP 4: Be recognized for your commitment to supporting end-market demand for postconsumer recycled plastics.
Helpful Resources
- Demand Champions Fact Sheet
- Commitment Letter
- Vendors of PCR Products
- Program Year One: Impact Report
- Program Year Two: Impact Report
- Program Year Three: Impact Report
- Program Year Four: Impact Report
- Three-Year Comparison of Program Impacts (years 1-3)
- Demand Champion Companies
- EPA Waste Reduction Model (WARM)
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Film & Flexibles Campaign
Who is Eligible?
Consistent, reliable demand for postconsumer film and flexible recycled plastic is critical for plastics recycling to be mature, vibrant, and sustainable. The Campaign was created by APR in collaboration with The Recycling Partnership’s Film & Flexibles Coalition to boost this demand and is designed for private businesses of all kinds and sizes who want to bolster demand for postconsumer recycled film and flexible plastics. Any non-public entity may participate.
What do Film & Flexibles Demand Champions Do?
Collectively and voluntarily, Film & Flexibles Demand Champions commit to increase their use of PCR (specifically from recycled film and flexible plastics). This commitment creates a strong demand-pull for recycled film and flexible plastics from North American households.
The Campaign has two ways to participate:
- Product Buyers purchase products that contain PCR specifically from recycled film and/or flexible plastic.
- Product Makers purchase PCR (mainly pellet, sometimes popcorn or chip) specifically from film and/or flexible plastic and incorporate it into their products.
A special focus on household film!
Is your company committed to supporting and expanding recycling for film that was used in homes? If so, there is a special option for you! The “Residential Film Champions Option” represents a subcomponent of the APR Film & Flexibles Recycling Demand Champions campaign that is specifically focused on supporting the development of a market for residential film PCR. If you select the Residential Film Champions Option, then you commit to purchasing products made from film that was (a) used in homes and (b) recycled either through a MRF or through Store Drop-off channels.
How it Works
STEP 1: Sign the Commitment Letter here. (Need more info first? Get details here.)
STEP 2: Purchase PCR-containing items, or PCR, specifically from film and/or flexible plastics.
STEP 3: Report your progress to APR.
STEP 4: Be recognized for your commitment to supporting end-market demand for postconsumer recycled film and flexible plastics.
Campaign Resources
- Campaign Overview - more details about the campaign
- Commitment Letter - get started by signing the commitment letter
- Vendor Directory - where to buy PCR film products
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Michigan Campaign
Who is Eligible?
Consistent, reliable demand for postconsumer film and flexible recycled plastic is critical for plastics recycling to be mature, vibrant, and sustainable. The Campaign was created to boost this demand and is designed for private businesses of all kinds and sizes who want to bolster demand for postconsumer recycled film and flexible plastics. Any non-public entity located in Michigan may participate.
What do Michigan Demand Champions Do?
Collectively and voluntarily, Michigan Demand Champions commit to plastics recycling in North America by increasing their use of postconsumer recycled content (PCR). This commitment creates a strong demand-pull for recycled film and flexible plastics from North American households.
The Campaign has two ways to participate:
- Product Buyers purchase products that contain PCR.
- Product Makers purchase PCR (pellet or flake) and incorporate it into their products.
How it Works
STEP 1: Sign the Commitment Letter here.
STEP 2: Purchase PCR-containing items OR expand your current use of PCR:
- Buy everyday use/catalog order items or WIP (work-in-process) items, and/or
- Increase the amount of PCR in a current product or application, and/or
- Develop a new product or application for PCR.
STEP 3: Report your progress to APR.
STEP 4: Be recognized for your commitment to supporting end-market demand for postconsumer recycled plastics.
Helpful Resources
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Government Entities
Who is Eligible?
The Government Recycling Demand Champion program is designed specifically for non-federal public sector entities, such as state, regional, and local governmental entities, as well as public and private schools and colleges/universities. This program is offered in conjunction with the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC).
What’s the Difference Between Champions and Advocates?
Government Recycling Demand Champions commit to purchasing products that contain post-consumer recycled plastics (PCR) in order to stimulate and create domestic markets for recyclable plastics and thereby drive sustainable plastic recycling. Any and all NEW purchases of products with PCR apply.
The program has two tiers for participation:
- Champions are full program participants that commit to purchasing products made with post-consumer recycled plastic.
- Advocates intend to purchase products made with post-consumer recycled plastic, but their organization is not ready to act, but will within a year of joining the program. State Recycling Organization Advocates commit to helping publicize the program and promote purchasing of products with post-consumer resin to their members and the public.
How it WorksSTEP 1: Sign the Commitment Letter.
- Download and sign this pledge. Return the completed form to Lynn Rubinstein.
STEP 2: Purchase PCR-containing items
STEP 3: Report your progress.
- By the following year of becoming a Government Recycling Demand Champion, purchase PCR-containing item(s) and report to NERC. The annual reporting form is available online here.
STEP 4: Be recognized for your commitment to supporting end-market demand.
- Your organization’s prominent role in expanding the markets for recyclable plastics will be actively promoted by NERC and APR.
- You will receive a certificate recognizing your commitment as a Government Recycling Demand Champion.
Helpful Resources
- Champion Fact Sheet
- Advocate Fact Sheet
- Advocate Fact Sheet for State Recycling Organizations
- Commitment Letter
- Vendors of PCR Products
- Annual Reporting Form
- Roadmap to Recycled Content
- EPA Recycled Content Benefits Calculator
Current Champions
Current Advocates
Current State Recycling Organization Advocates
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State Recycling Organizations
Who is Eligible?
APR and NERC have designated a special option for State Recycling Organizations to become Government Recycling Demand Advocates. These Advocates commit to:
- Promoting the NERC-APR Government Recycling Demand Champions program to their public sector members and other representatives of the recycling community in their state, and to support their joining the program as Advocates or Champions of the NERC-APR Government Recycling Demand Champions program, and
- Promoting the APR Recycling Demand Champions program to their private sector members and other representatives of the recycling community in their state, and to support their joining the program as APR Recycling Demand Champions.
How it Works
STEP 1: Review the Program Flyer.
Get the full details on how to participate here.
STEP 2: Sign the Commitment Letter.
“We commit to promote the NERC-APR Government Recycling Demand Champions program to our public sector members and the APR Recycling Demand Champions program to our private sector members.”
Click here for the SRO committment letter, then submit to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., NERC.
STEP 3: Promote the Programs to your members.
Promote both Recycling Demand Champions programs using social media, blog posts, newsletter articles and other avenues of communications with your members.
ONGOING: Promotion & Recognition
Your organization’s prominent role in expanding the markets for recyclable plastics will be actively promoted by NERC and APR. You will receive a certificate recognizing your commitment as a Government Recycling Demand Advocate.
Current Advocates
