APR Press Release: APR Launches Renewed Push for Grocery Rigid Plastics Recycling
January 22, 2020 - APR Press Release
APR Launches Renewed Push for Grocery Rigid Plastics Recycling
Recycling Trade Organization Offers Updated Website, Tools, Info Flyer
The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) today confirmed its continued commitment to recycling grocery rigid plastics with a renewed push to encourage retail grocery chains to aggregate and market their behind-the-counter rigid plastics. Recyclable items common to retail grocery include bakery and deli pails and buckets, seafood trays and lids, and bulk pharmaceutical containers, all manufactured from valuable high- density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) plastic resins.
“As a processor and seller of recycled HDPE and PP, we are always looking for new sources of recycled plastic supply, and I can attest to the domestic value of these retail grocery plastic materials,” said Brandon Shaw, Marketing Manager of Indianapolis-based Plastics Recycling Incorporated. “This high-quality raw material is ideal for a variety of next-use rigid product applications, including new containers.”
The updated website, https://recyclegroceryplastics.org/, provides hands-on guidance and information for retail grocery operations and corporate sustainability personnel and decision makers, including photos, training videos and case studies. New and updated items include a Program Summary Flyer, an updated “How To” Guidebook, and a Baled Material Economics Worksheet that retail grocers can customize to estimate savings from waste diversion and recycled material sales for their operations.
“The APR estimates that US supermarkets have the potential to generate over 300 million pounds of rigid plastics over the course of a year in behind-the-counter applications, including pharmacy stock bottles, which can double a store’s volumes,” said Kate Eagles, APR Program Director. “This is easily recoverable, stackable material, and is typically up to 450% more valuable per ton than OCC. We encourage grocery retailers to take a look at what this program can offer them in terms waste reduction and cost savings, and how it can contribute to meeting corporate sustainability goals.”
The new website and related tools are part of renewed effort by APR, with support of the American Chemistry Council, to expand the retail grocery rigids plastics recycling program started in 2013. By 2018, over 4,500 stores were participating in the APR-initiated program, generating an estimated 18 million pounds of recyclable plastics. For questions or for more on how to get started, contact us: https://recyclegroceryplastics.org/contact
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Contact:
Kara Pochiro,
APR VP of Communications & Public Affairs
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