APR reports Demand Champions' impact

The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), Washington, says 138.7 million pounds of increased demand for postconsumer resin (PCR) was generated in 2021 through its APR Recycling Demand Champions Program. The announcement was made during the recent APR Member Meeting in June.

First launched in 2018, the APR Recycling Demand Champions Program has increased PCR demand by 384 million pounds during that time, according to the association.

“We are thrilled with the growth we experienced in 2021 and since 2018, particularly during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” Ali Briggs-Ungerer, APR director of market development, says in a news release about the program’s growth. “It's particularly remarkable that every single one of the 2021 Champions is a renewing program member, which really demonstrates their ongoing commitment to boost demand for PCR.”

Twenty-six APR Recycling Demand Champions increased their use of PCR in 2021:

• Advanced Drainage Systems Inc.;
• Automated Drop Systems;
• Avery Dennison Corp.;
• Berry Global;
• Champion Polymer Recycling;
• Charter Next Generation;
• Chick-fil-A Inc.;
• Clean Tech / Plastipak Packaging;
• Colgate Palmolive Co.;
• General Mills;
• Intertape Polymer Group;
• ISOFlex Packaging;
• Keurig Dr Pepper;
• Novolex Holdings Inc.;
• PAC Worldwide;
• Pactiv Evergreen;
• PepsiCo;
• Rehrig Pacific Co.;
• Revolution;
• Scotts Miracle-Gro;
• Silgan Closures;
• Silgan Plastics;
• UPM Raflatac;
• Viva Healthcare Packaging (Canada) Ltd.;
• WM; and
• Westfall-Technik.

“The need for continued and growing demand for postconsumer recycled content is essential to the success of plastics recycling and a key focus for APR,” Steve Alexander, president and CEO of APR, says. “Although we most certainly need more feedstock to achieve real growth, we must recognize the wide range of applications for recycled plastics including durable, nonfood items, which are what this program was built on from the beginning.”

Twenty-seven companies have committed to increase their use of PCR in 2022 through the program:

• Advanced Drainage Systems Inc.;
• Automated Drop Systems;
• Avery Dennison Corp.;
• Berry Global;
• Champion Polymer Recycling;
• Charter Next Generation;
• Chick-fil-A Inc.;
• Clean Tech / Plastipak Packaging;
• Electrolux North America;
• General Mills;
• Intertape Polymer Group;
• ISOFlex Packaging;
• Keurig Dr Pepper;
• Novolex Holdings Inc.;
• PAC Worldwide;
• Pactiv Evergreen;
• PakTech;
• Rehrig Pacific Co.;
• Revolution;
• Scotts Miracle-Gro;
• Silgan Closures;
• Silgan Plastics;
• TC Transcontinental Packaging;
• UPM Raflatac;
• Viva Healthcare Packaging (Canada) Ltd.;
• WM; and
• Westfall-Technik.