Foundation for Plastic Recycling launches Buy Recycled initiative

The Foundation for Plastic Recycling, established by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), Washington, has launched the Buy Recycled campaign, an initiative designed to stimulate market demand for recycled plastics. 

The campaign seeks to educate consumers about plastics recycling and encourage them to purchase products made with postconsumer resin (PCR). According to a news release about the initiative, “When consumers rethink their everyday purchases and buy products made with recycled content, they help boost market demand, benefit the environment and support U.S. jobs.”

Steve Alexander, president and CEO of the APR and board chair of the Foundation for Plastic Recycling, says, “Recycling helps the planet and empowers our communities. Unfortunately, many people do not fully understand what happens to their recyclables after they are put in the bin. Even fewer understand the need to purchase recycled products to complete the circle of recycling and support the Circular Economy.”

The new Buy Recycled initiative seeks to change that. The Buy Recycled website contains educational materials and resources, including a link to recycled-content products through https://recyclemoreplastic.org/buyrecycled, links to other APR initiatives, as well as four new infographics:

• What it Means to Buy Recycled;
• How Do My Recycled Plastics Turn into New Products?;
• A Shoppers Guide to Buying Recycled; and
• Top 10 Reasons to Buy Recycled.

“With our new Buy Recycled initiative, we want to not only encourage consumers to recycle at home but also educate them about what it actually means to buy recycled,” says Lisa Lopinsky, executive director of the Foundation for Plastic Recycling.  “We want buyers to pledge to purchase a recycled item or two every time they shop.”