Manufacturers of plastic products are ditching recycled plastic for cheaper virgin plastic that is being dumped on the market, destroying circularity. Guest blog post by Greg Janson, President and CEO of Granite Peak Plastics, Co-Chair of the APR Market Development Committee and Chemical Recycling Research Working Group Plastic recycling is a busin...

  "As of early 2023, four states have passed laws requiring post-consumer recycled content in plastic packaging; several more states have proposed laws to date this year, and there are broad-scale proposals actively under development in Canada and the European Union." Using post-consumer resin (PCR) content in plastic packaging is one of the m...

As we get ready for this year's Plastics Recycling Conference, a gathering of over 2000 power players in plastics and recycling industries, the Recycled Content team welcomes back Dan Leif, managing editor at Resource Recycling, Inc.  Host Kara Pochiro and Dan discuss hot topics in plastics recycling that will be covered at the conference, inc...

We all play an important role in the world of plastics recycling, and with the right tools we can work together to make the circular economy a reality. The production and consumption of post-consumer resin (PCR) are essential in a circular economy. The APR PCR Certification Program provides transparency to support a reliable, robust PCR market—for ...

As in years past, 2022 saw significant developments, progress, and challenges for plastic packaging and the plastics recycling industry. Supply issues, legislative and regulatory proposals, negative media, as well as other areas of concern all combined to require greater levels of APR engagement and expertise. Policy, APR Design® for Recyclability,...

As the Voice of Plastics Recycling®, the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) envisions a world with a circular economy for plastic goods - a world in which companies manufacture recyclable products and consumers buy products made from recycled materials. The APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability helps companies ensure their packaging is r...

On this episode of Recycled Content, we sit down with APR board member Nicole Janssen, President of Denton Plastics, to discuss all things polypropylene. Host Kara Pochiro and Nicole set the record straight on polypropylene and debunk recent reports that cast doubt about its recyclability. Tune in to hear about how polypropylene is now one of the f...

The claim that fires at recycling facilities are caused by polyethylene terephthalate plastic (PET) bottles or that these bottles are "part of a growing problem of toxic fires" [story: "Why plastic is catching fire at recycling plants"] is false. Among other inaccuracies, the title of the article is false. To the extent that fires occur, they take ...

This blog post is authored by Keefe Harrison, CEO of The Recycling Partnership and reposted with permission. The original post can be read here. Frustrated that recycling isn't fixing the world's waste problem? Here's the truth: as it's built now, it never will. If we think we can just keep making and buying whatever we want without any planning fo...

I recently read the report on plastics recycling rates by The Last Beach Cleanup and Beyond Plastics and, like many of you, it certainly was not good for my blood pressure.The pitiful white flag of surrender raised by the reports' authors certainly does not speak for the tens of thousands of Americans employed by our industry who, amidst a global p...

As the Voice of Plastics Recycling®, the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) envisions a world with a circular economy for plastic goods - a world in which companies manufacture recyclable products and consumers buy products made from recycled materials. An effective recycling chain is of paramount importance in achieving climate and economic su...

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 ...