Recycling of plastic film still growing: report

Recycling of post-consumer film packaging hit 1.02 billion pounds in 2012 – an increase of 56 per cent since 2005, but just 1 per cent since 2011, according to new figures from the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council (ACC).

The figures were gathered through a survey conducted by Moore Recycling Associates Inc. of 21 Canadian and U.S. processors and 39 exporters. .

“This report shows that even though film recycling had not grown as we had hoped last year, there is a lot of opportunity to make a difference with our programs,” said Shari Jackson, director of the Flexible Film Recycling Group of the ACC, in a statement. “What is very encouraging about the report is the information on the bale audits. We’re seeing that the majority of films collected for recycling are film product wraps and other film packaging. We’ve been working hard to educate people about their ability to recycle plastic film packaging beyond bags so it’s reassuring to see the bales reflect that our messaging is connecting and having an impact.”

Recycled polyethylene film is used to make a range of products, including durable plastic and composite lumber for outdoor decks and fencing, home building products, garden products, crates, pipe, and new film packaging like plastic bags.