Recycling
Plastics are highly valuable materials that play an important role in the modern economy. Plastics provide sustainability benefits versus alternative materials and will continue to play an important role in helping society mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
As the economy becomes more circular, there is greater demand to increase plastic recycling as well as recycled content in products. PLASTICS believes all forms of collection and all forms of recycling are valid.
Growing the plastics recycling infrastructure and finding new end markets for recycled products are key initiatives of the plastics industry. Plastics Industry Association is committed to supporting our members in ways to accomplish this.
Recycling is real—see for yourself.
Numbers Behind Industry
1,552,576 tons
of plastic recycled
757,000
U.S. jobs
$9 billion
the industry has invested
or made commitments to invest in mechanical and advanced recycling technologies since 20173
from residential collection systems in 20231
accounted for in reuse and recycling activities2
- 2024 The Recycling Partnership State of Curbside Report
- EPA Recycling Economic Information
- ACC Investment Numbers, RRS Study on behalf of PLASTICS
PLASTICS Recycling Committee
The Recycling Committee is a tactical committee that represents Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) members across the association’s four councils, bringing equipment makers, brand owners, processors and material suppliers together to align their efforts to put recycling at the forefront of their businesses. PLASTICS is uniquely positioned in the recycling discussion, as we represent the entire plastics supply chain.
The PLASTICS Recycling Committee works to enhance the management of plastic waste through efforts such as advocating for increased collection, sortation, and recycling infrastructure, ensuring the definition of “recycling” includes advanced recycling, educating people within and outside of the plastics industry about plastics recycling and much more.
Interested in joining the Recycling Committee? PLASTICS committees are exclusively for leaders at PLASTICS member companies.
To find out if your company is a current member or learn more about member benefits, email membership@plasticsindustry.org.
membership@plasticsindustry.org
Recycling Subcommittees
Advanced Recycling Subcommittee
Advanced Recycling Subcommittee
The subcommittee represents the advanced polymer recycling technologies industry by identifying and promoting emerging technologies, trends, and challenges.
Events and Education Subcommittee
Events and Education Subcommittee
This subcommittee provides insights and information to the PLASTICS teams who develop education and networking opportunities for the industry.
Events and Education Subcommittee
Key Recycling Activities & Programs
New End Market Opportunities
The New End Market Opportunities (NEMO) Program find new end markets for hard-to-recycle plastics. The projects aim to involve the entirety of the plastics supply chain to analyze, test, and implement new material streams into industry.
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Zero Net Waste Initiative Program
The Zero Net Waste (ZNW) program recognizes companies that take steps to drive toward zero net waste in manufacturing. Participating companies demonstrate leadership in landfill diversion, waste reduction, and most importantly a commitment to ensuring valuable resources go to the highest and best use.
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Recycling Open House
The Recycling Open House is an annual virtual event that provides organizations the opportunity to share the latest initiatives and innovations that their company or industry has developed to improve recycling and recycling rates.
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Flexible Film Recycling Alliance
The Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA), formed in 2024, represents the end-to-end flexible plastic film value chain, serving as the central forum to promote and improve the flexible film recycling ecosytem.
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Polystyrene Recycling Alliance
The Polystyrene Recycling Alliance (PSRA) is a coalition that unites the entire polystyrene (PS) and expandable polystyrene (EPS) value chain to promote circularity for polystyrene products across North America.
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