The Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers The Voice of Plastics Recycling
APR THE ASSOCIATION OF POST CONSUMER PLASTIC RECYCLERS Maryland Recycling Network May 17, 2012
APR 95% of Postconsumer Plastic Reclamation capacity in North America Plastics Not sustainable without recycling. Plastics not recycled without APR-the voice of plastic recycling
APR Programs Market Development Technical Programs Rigids Plastic Recycling Program Communication/Education Regulatory/Advocacy-CA/NC Film Reclamation
Industry Key Issues Key issues: Supply Export Market Contamination Degradables Resin Identification Code Labelling-compatable with/shrink sleeves Bleeding labels Yield Loss
Technical Activities Plastic Recyclability Guidelines PET Critical Guidance Document HDPE Critical Guidance Document Model Bale Specifications Color Measurement Projects Resin Identification Code-when is a 1 a 1?
Rigids Recycling Program Nationwide Bale Audit Bale Specificatons Published Recycled Resins Fit for Use Survey Grocery Store Project Growth in PP demand
Rigids Recycling Program Some specific resins collected- PS,PP,HDPE,tubs and lids Mixed rigid plastic materials collected haphazardly with loosely defined or no specifications Limited US and Canadian reclamation capacity Most sold export
2010 Recycling Rate Report HDPE The total pounds of plastic bottles recycled reached a record high 2,579 million pounds. The total plastic bottle recycling rate was 28.8%, up from 27.8% in 2010.. The annual increase in pounds of plastic bottles recycled was 5.0%. The 20 year compounded annual growth rate for plastic bottle recycling was 9.2%.
2010 Recycling Rate Report PET The amount of post consumer PET bottles collected for recycling and sold in the United States in 2010 was 1,557.2 million pounds. 775.9 - Purchased by U.S. Reclaimers 719.6 - Purchased by Export Markets 61.7 - PET bottle component of mixed bales exported This represents a 113 MMlb increase in the amount of bottles collected, resulting in an increase in the overall PET bottle recycling rate to 29.1%.
2010 Recycling Rate Report HDPE bottles collected rose by 2.5 million pounds to 984.1 million pounds. The HDPE bottle recycling rate rose to 29.9% in 2010 from 29.2% in 2009 Exports of United States-collected HDPE bottle material fell to 197 million pounds, 20.0% Imports of postconsumer HDPE to the United States decreased by 38% to 24.8 million pounds
2010 Recycling Rate Report Polypropylene bottle recycling totaled 35.4 million pounds, an increase of 31% over 2009 67% of the total processed domestically as deliberate PP material As opposed to mixed material flake combined with HDPE
PCR operations No clear public policy on PCR use Mandate on supply, not demand Most orders come month to month, no long term contracts Higher costs for those users augmenting with PCR, i.e., not using as primary feedstock
What is coming Plastics recycling will rely more on technical innovation to sort, clean, process and convert more polymers from a mixed packaging stream to usable post consumer resins. Investment for innovation will remain difficult to come by without strong market signals
Future issues Not many bottles in the 3-7 category (about 3-5%) Product Stewardship for all packaging, not just bottles. Collection Infrastructure Intermediate Processing Infrastructure Contracts and Public Education
APR Supply not growing, but markets are No quick cure-but commitments to purchase give security and help investment Color Sorted Resin has greatest potential for growth and savings for end markets Export demand is expected to double every 4 years Good News is we can all expect to market more post-consumer plastic bottles
Finally SALEXANDER@CMRGROUP4.COM 202-316-3046 PLASTICSRECYCLING.ORG THANK YOU