SPI signs on to new U.S. recycling initiative

SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association – one of the plastics industries biggest associations – has joined a new recycling initiative in the U.S.

SPI has signed on as an inaugural member of the Recycling Partnership, a grant fund established by the Curbside Value Partnership (CVP) as a vehicle to support and transform public recycling performance.

“SPI is deeply committed to zero waste strategies that promote reducing, reusing and recycling plastic materials,” SPI president and CEO William R. Carteaux said in a statement. “Because our members represent the entirety of the plastics supply chain, SPI has emerged as a valuable stakeholder in the recycling discussion with an important, unique perspective.”

The goal of the Recycling Partnership is to develop projects that ensure overall recycling program health in targeted communities. Project work will begin this month, following an announcement of the finalized list of partners and the identification of initial cities selected for partnership. According to the SPI statement, key elements of the initiative are expected to include improving access to recycling carts, outreach, and education. The program also will cooperate with U.S. state and local officials to explain “the important connection between recycling, local jobs and manufacturing,” and help provide regional coordination of recycling efforts.

The CVP is a U.S.-based organization with the goal to improve recycling in the United States, primarily by improving residential recycling.