Steve Alexander, President & CEO of the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), issued the following statement regarding the effects of degradable additives on mechanical recycling of postconsumer plastics: Claims regarding the recyclability of degradable additives are unfounded, untested, and possibly misleading as outlined by the U.S. Federal...

APR was glad to be back, and in person, for the 2022 Plastics Recycling Conference. The event brought together a record number of industry decision-makers to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing the industry. In this episode of Recycled Content, we are joined by Dan Leif, the managing editor at the Resource Recycling, Inc. Tune in for a l...

2021 saw both positive developments and continued challenges for plastic recycling. Design and supply hurdles; legislative and regulatory proposals; transportation and hiring issues along with increased state legislative activities all combined to require even greater levels of engagement from APR's expert staff. Thanks to the continued support of ...

We're a week away from the most important gathering of the plastics recycling industry – will we see you there?  The Plastics Recycling Conference is the largest North American gathering of plastics recycling and sustainability professionals, annually bringing together more than 2,000 industry decision-makers. This conference tackles the most ...

On January 25th the U.S. Plastics Pact released its Problematic and Unnecessary Materials List as a first step in accelerating progress toward a circular economy for plastic packaging in the United States. On this episode of Recycled Content, hosts Steve Alexander and Kara Pochiro went straight to the heart of the matter with Emily Tipaldo, Executi...

The US Plastics Pact's list identifying problematic and unnecessary materials is the result of more than 18 months of expansive discussion, research and debate among the more than 100 companies and organizations that are Pact Activators, some who have also voluntarily signed on to meet the goals of the Global Plastic Commitment outlined by the Elle...

The APR Recycling Demand Champions Program plays a prominent role to strengthen domestic demand for residential mixed plastics, mitigate reliance on export markets, and enable the growth of the circular economy. APR is thrilled to welcome 28 companies back for program year 2021. By recommitting to the APR Recycling Demand Champions progra...

The Hon. Tom CarperChairSenate Environment and Public Works Committee2410 Dirksen Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510 Dear Chair Carper: The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), the international trade organization that serves as the Voice of Plastics Recycling®, appreciates the opportunity to provide comments to supplement the record of ...

Steve Alexander, President & CEO of the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), The Voice of Plastics Recycling, issued the following statement regarding passage by the California legislature of SB 343 "Environmental Advertising: Recycling Symbol: Recyclability: Products and Packaging": The APR supports the intent of SB 343 to improve truth in ...

Our host Steve Alexander is joined this week by Kate Davenport, Co-President of Eureka Recycling, to discuss Eureka's work and mission of demonstrating that waste is completely preventable, not inevitable, challenges that materials recovery facilities are facing, and the future of recycling. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Sound...

Guest blog post by Dylan de Thomas, VP of External Affairs at The Recycling Partnership The California Statewide Commission on Curbside Recycling and Market Development recently published a report to CalRecycle with recommendations regarding a Statewide Standardized Acceptance List of Recyclable Materials (CA Statewide Recyclable List). While we ap...

Our host Steve Alexander is joined this week by Kate Bailey, Policy and Research Director of Eco-Cycle, to discuss her work advocating for a zero waste future, her insights on the packaging crisis, and the challenges she sees for the future of recycling and potential paths forward.  Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, SoundClou...

The resin identification codes on packaging tell you what kind of plastic it is. Please remember that you still need to check your local recycling rules to see which types are accepted for recycling in your local area. The resin code is not a "recyclable" symbol. Resin codes also help plastic reclaimers know what is coming into their recycling faci...

Did you know that recycling doesn't end at the bin? If you're like most people, you probably already recycle your empty containers at home and on the go. Thank you! Recycling is such an important step to keep valuable materials out of the landfill and in the economy, preventing pollution while creating green jobs. Now it's time to complete the cycl...

Success Despite Unprecedented Challenges: An Overview of the Past Year at APR For many of us, last year's Plastics Recycling Conference was the final in-person event attended before the onset of COVID-19 and what proved to be a year full of challenges that no one could have predicted. The distribution of vaccines brings us optimism for the end of t...

Our hosts Steve and Kara are back to discuss the value and benefits of post-consumer resin (PCR), APR's PCR Certification Program, and the importance of distinguishing between "post-consumer" materials and "post-industrial" materials for labeling purposes. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, or anywhere else you get your...

Steve is joined today by Dan Leif and Tonya Oyala, Resource Recycling's Managing Editor and Sponsor/Exhibitor Manager, respectively. Dan, Tonya, and Steve discuss the upcoming Plastics Recycling Conference, now in its 16th year, which is the focal point for the increasingly complex and international plastics recycling industry. Tune in for more inf...

We're back and jumping into the deep-end to kick off a new year of podcasting! Liam Donovan and Anna Burhop, members of APR's DC lobbying team at Bracewell's Policy Resolution Group, join your host Steve Alexander to discuss how the 117th Congress' roster will impact recycling policy and how APR can continue to advocate for meaningful, bipartisan s...

2020 has certainly been a challenging year for the plastic recycling industry, but we at APR are proud of our industry's accomplishments this year in the face of the pandemic. Tune in to this Year in Review episode for a dive into all the unique challenges we've tackled this year and what we are looking toward in 2021. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spo...

Joining the Recycled Content podcast this week is Emily Tipaldo, Executive Director of the U.S. Plastics Pact. Emily and Steve discuss the Pact's goals for the future of plastic recycling and the circular economy, her experience in the world of plastics, and bringing transparency and accountability into this vital space. Listen on Apple Podcasts, S...