Hello my sustainability and packaging friends! Long time. I hope everyone had a lovely 4th of July!
Goodness gracious have things been snowballing, in an awesome way. As previously mentioned, I was asked by the Editor of Plastics in Packaging to write an article on the state of PET thermoform recycling: past, present and future. After speaking with industry stakeholders and thought leaders, I finished the report, concluding with a question: Is it possible to attain a market driven PET recycling infrastructure where increased consumer preference and retailer demand signals to municipalities to increase collection and reprocessing in order to provide the desired supply, independent of public policy? It seems that everyone I spoke with disagrees on this rather fundamental issue. While of course consumer education, best in class design practices, extended collection, enhanced sorting technologies, etc. will increase PET recycling; but does that mean we will arrive at a reality where someone isn’t eating the cost, be it tax payers/municipalities, haulers and waste processers, recyclers, resin suppliers, converters, brands, or retailers? Will post consumer recycling always be a cost to they system?
In my 2010 Recycling Report I argue that it is possible to develop a market-driven system for PET recycling with investment in all the items listed above. Three years of exception industry engagement later, PET thermoform containers are now “recyclable” as per the FTC’s 60% access qualification. Will the additional material stream aid in balancing the PET supply/demand problem, where years of excessive demand and flat-lining utilization rates (regardless of increased collection) have left reprocessors hesitant to “open the floodgates of PET thermoform recycling?”
Tantalizing stuff, eh!?
The article will be published in the August issue of Plastics in Packaging, after which, I will most certainly post here for your viewing pleasure. It is a UK-based publication, so probably won’t see it on the store shelves anytime soon, ha! I saw the layout and it looks great, such an honor.
Okay moving on. And this is really cool. So after I finish constructing these marry-go-round thoughts, I receive an email from the CEO of Recoup, a UK-based non-profit organization that works with all sectors to improve the plastic recycling opportunity. He invited me to participate in Recoup’s Plastics Recycling Conference, offering me a quickfire presentation slot! This means that I get to deliver a 5 minute update on, drum roll please… the state of PET thermoform recycling in the US, past, present, and future! And get THIS. When I sent him my Plastics in Packaging Report as proposal for the presentation content, he sent me his PIP feature, which describes the UK government’s ambitious new plastic packaging recycling targets and how Recoup “will be pivotal to the industry’s chance of meeting them.” Click here for the feature. How cool!
In addition, my new friend at Recoup invited me to participate in their design for recycling update that will be launched at the conference next year. I asked if he was familiar with APR’s design for recyclability guidelines for PET thermoforms as they are rather good and he was indeed aware, and moreover, working in collaboration with APR! Love this industry collaboration!
So yeah—I am back on the PET thermoform recycling train. Who knew recycling could be this fun!
Until next time, cheerio!