Plastics Recycling Update Magazine: APR updates members on mixed-rigids packaging

## APR updates members on mixed-rigids packaging


_By Editorial Staff, Resource Recycling_

At a meeting earlier this month, The Association of Postconsumer Plastics Recyclers' Liz Bedard summarized the recent actions of her three-dozen-member work group that is focused on increasing the level of recycling for mixed rigid plastics packaging.

The group has a pilot program underway to assess how to recover more rigid packaging from groceries. Approximately 350 million pounds of rigids are available annually from large and medium-size stores. The task force is looking at the best operational practices needed to recover this form of grocery packaging. Two large grocery chains conducted a 12 to 16 week test project, totaling about 40 stores. Various handling and processing methods were tested, mainly focused on pails and buckets because they can be stacked for storage and shipped in seven-foot, shrink-wrapped stacks. The pilot project found many markets for recovered plastics and that sorting the containers by resin type is easily accomplished. As a result of the project, one chain will roll out the program to 180 stores. The final report from the pilot project will be available in July.

With support from the American Chemistry Council, the task force is launching a national promotion campaign on how to launch similar grocery store recovery programs. This effort will include educational webinars, Web-based resources and technical assistance to store managers. The task force is also presenting the results at a number of grocery industry meetings and conferences.

The task force's bale definition subcommittee has formed an alliance with the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries to work jointly in developing a consensus specification for bales of various types of mixed rigid plastic packaging.

A recycled resin subcommittee is addressing the demand side of the equation for improving the recycling of rigids. This work is looking at the future demand for post-consumer PP. Two industry surveys of brand owners and converters showed demand from 22 firms of nearly one billion pounds per year, divided into five separate melt-flow-rate categories. Approximately 80 percent of this demand requires FDA approval for food contact, which may be an early barrier to recovery and recycling.

Another subcommittee is assessing the design for recyclability guidelines for thin-wall containers, such as yogurt tubs and microwavable food containers made from six different resins. The subcommittee will soon survey APR members regarding recyclability issues for this form of rigids packaging.

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