Efforts underway to expand PET thermoforming recycling

Kate Eagles is a program director with the Association of Plastic Recyclers and studies the PET thermoform market. Her insights came across as hopeful but also realistic when it comes to market conditions.

"We're not quite there yet, but I see a path forward to getting there," she said. "I think it's fair to say the strength and diversity of markets is still a challenge. But we are optimistic."

She sees a combination of product design for recyclability, market demand and "a little push from legislation" as key components to push PET thermoform recycling higher. These factors could combine to show the middle pieces of the recycling chain — MRFs and plastic reclaimers — that thermoforms are worthy of more attention, she said. "I'm optimistic that we will see change. I think we just need to keep pushing it forward."

Read the full article from Plastics News.