ACC’s Flexible Film Recycling Group: Benchmarking best practices for

sustainable plastics film packaging

Kate Eagles, Moore Recycling AssociatesJune 19, 2014

Western Plastics AssociationAnnual Meeting

Today’s presentation . . .

State of film recycling

Challenges and opportunities for growth

FFRG's current programs and progress towards increased recycling

Partnership options

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Significant growth in polyethylene film recycling is critical to further enhance its sustainability and customer acceptance.

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Source Reduction Benefits of Plastics

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State of Film Recycling: Positive

Market demand remains strong

Established collection infrastructure

Widespread access

More than 1 billion pounds of plastic bags and product wraps recycled in 2012 – up 56 percent from 2005

Industry demanding more material

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Public/customer misperceptions regarding recyclability

Lack of public awareness of recyclable film packaging beyond bags

Limited access for small and medium sized businesses that seek end-of-life recovery options for film

Market misperceptions regarding demand for film post “Green Fence”

Challenges Impeding Significant Growth

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Quotes from NERC’s Guest Blogger, Ted Siegler with DSM Environmental Services, Inc., May 5 2014, “More Flexible Packaging Insights”

“But the costs, especially to the marine environment of discharging potentially billions of pounds of this material [flexible packaging films] into the marine environment are also immense, and at the current time represent externalities that resin producers, and film manufacturers and packagers do not have to incorporate into their products . . . . As Matt Prindville points out, there is a need for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to assure that these externalities are accounted for.”

“Let’s recognize that light weight plastic packaging is here to stay, and will continue to grow.  However since the externalities associated with its’ use and growth are currently not incorporated in the price of its use, it’s time to couple this growth with serious expenditures by producers to fund the infrastructure necessary to not only assure that this packaging is recycled, but also properly disposed and kept out of our rivers, lakes and oceans.”

Some Targeting Plastic Film for EPR

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Increasing consumer awareness & engagement in PE film recycling

Expanding access to capture billions of pounds of commercial film from untapped sources

Stakeholder public outreach/education collaborative

Opportunities for Improvement

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Annual bag/film report that demonstrates growth

Special PE film collection study validates widespread recycling access for FTC compliance

Comprehensive web resource supporting bag and film recycling (created in 2005) - now plasticfilmrecycling.org

Consistent engagement in value chain sustainability groups

Film Recycling an Established ACC Priority

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FFRG is a self-funded group of ACC’s Plastics Division.

Assembles stakeholders in the film and bag value chain(material suppliers, converters, brand owners, recyclers) to support PE film recycling.

Primary Goal: Double PE film recycling by 2017.

ACC Flexible Film Recycling Group

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Engage key stakeholders in increasing film recycling

Supply educational tools and resources for consumers and businesses

Establish and help implement film recycling programs for communities and businesses

What FFRG Does

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Implement a multi-year strategic plan to address barriers to growth and expand opportunities in collection, processing, and markets.

Key Strategies: Develop essential educational resources; Forge alliances with key allied groups (SPC,

APR); Engage in public outreach campaigns with

key stakeholders (retailers, state agencies, non-profits);

Establish best practices for increased recycling.

FFRG’s Roadmap for Strong Growth

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Dedicated section of educational materials to support consumer & commercial film recycling – posters, program tip sheets, tip cards, refrigerator magnets, waste audit guide, etc.

Educational Materials & Resources

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Sustainable Packaging Coalition Partnering to promote adoption

“How2Recycle” film label Huge opportunity to expand recycling

awareness Several major companies have adopted

through ACC sponsorships

Association of Postconsumer Recyclers Jointly supporting film recycling

markets/Guidelines PE Film Recycling

Film Recycling Education Key Partnerships

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Public-private partnership to dramatically increase recycling of polyethylene bags, wraps and film, started in 2013.

Stakeholders: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, ACC Flexible Film Recycling Group, Sustainable Packaging Coalition, Bemis, SC Johnson, and Trex.

Implementing pilots to test effective approaches and tools to increase postconsumer and commercial film recycling.

Wisconsin is the starting point for expansion to other states.

Wisconsin Wrap Recycling Action Project (WRAP)

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What is WRAP? Multi-stakeholder collaborative to increase public

awareness and involvement in PE film recycling Provides a platform for state/local governments, retailers,

non-profit groups/NGOs, brands and others to collaborate and pool their resources

Status Engaging key stakeholders Building platform Promoting collaboration Preparing to launch later this year

National Public Awareness Initiative Wrap Recycling Action Program

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Film packaging is abundant and growing, but needs effective end of life options

There is steady growth in film recycling, but much more can be done & How2recycle label provides a huge opportunity

FFRG is implementing a roadmap to drive strong growth and ever increasing recycling rates

Success depends on more value chain engagement and support

FFRG invites the WPA to become a WRAP partner

Strong Growth in Film Recycling Must Become a Priority

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Avangard Innovative Berry Plastics

Bemis Dow ChemicalChevronPhillips

ExxonMobil Chemical Company Sealed Air Corporation

SC Johnson Superbag

Trex Company, Inc.Verdeco Plastics

Wisconsin Film & Bag

FFRG Members

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•Shari Jackson•Director, Film Recycling

• American Chemistry Council • 700 – 2nd Street NE • Washington, DC 20002• Shari_Jackson@ameri

canchemistry.com•(202) 249-6616

Thank You! FFRG Contact: