The Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR), Washington, has appointed longtime recycling industry executive Sandi Childs to direct its flexible film packaging recovery efforts. With the demand for film and flexible packaging expanding, efforts to recover and reclaim this material are becoming increasingly complex and critical, according to the APR. The trade organization, which represents the plastics recycling industry in North America, says Childs will help lead the way to meet the needs of the film reclamation industry.
“We are very pleased that Sandi has agreed to manage our film and flexible packaging recovery efforts,” says Scott Saunders, general manager of Troy, Alabama-based KW Plastics and chairman of the APR. “Building upon the development of the APR Design™ Guide for Film and Model Bale Specifications, Sandi is already working with industry leaders to define clear strategies that will lead to increased recovery of flexible packaging for recycling. With over 30 years’ experience in our industry, including positions with Coca-Cola Recycling, NAPCOR and Southeastern Container, Sandi has the perfect combination of insight and understanding of all aspects of the recycling process.”
“The committee plans to collaborate with all stakeholders, as well as other APR committees, to expand and improve existing film recycling infrastructure,” says Childs, adding, “We will also study and assess the impact of bags and films on MRFs (material recovery facilities) and curbside collection, and explore possible ways to redesign collection strategies or MRF equipment so that bags might be accepted in curbside programs in the future.”
According to data from the 2013 National Postconsumer Plastic Bag & Film Recycling Report prepared by the consulting firm Moore Recycling Associates, Sonoma, California, for the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council, Washington, flexible film recycling offers opportunity. In 2013, more than 1 billion pounds of postconsumer film were recovered for recycling in 2013. However, the APR says there is still additional recycling capacity for mixed postconsumer film in the U.S. and Canada. Mixed film and bags from retail collection showed a significant increase over 2012, second only to commercial mixed color material, the APR explains. End uses for recycled film are split almost evenly between lumber and film sheet, with lumber having a slight edge, according to the report.
The APR says the vision for its Film Committee is that all packaging films are recycled. The basic strategies for achieving that vision, according to the APR, are:
“We are very pleased that Sandi has agreed to manage our film and flexible packaging recovery efforts,” says Scott Saunders, general manager of Troy, Alabama-based KW Plastics and chairman of the APR. “Building upon the development of the APR Design™ Guide for Film and Model Bale Specifications, Sandi is already working with industry leaders to define clear strategies that will lead to increased recovery of flexible packaging for recycling. With over 30 years’ experience in our industry, including positions with Coca-Cola Recycling, NAPCOR and Southeastern Container, Sandi has the perfect combination of insight and understanding of all aspects of the recycling process.”
“The committee plans to collaborate with all stakeholders, as well as other APR committees, to expand and improve existing film recycling infrastructure,” says Childs, adding, “We will also study and assess the impact of bags and films on MRFs (material recovery facilities) and curbside collection, and explore possible ways to redesign collection strategies or MRF equipment so that bags might be accepted in curbside programs in the future.”
According to data from the 2013 National Postconsumer Plastic Bag & Film Recycling Report prepared by the consulting firm Moore Recycling Associates, Sonoma, California, for the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council, Washington, flexible film recycling offers opportunity. In 2013, more than 1 billion pounds of postconsumer film were recovered for recycling in 2013. However, the APR says there is still additional recycling capacity for mixed postconsumer film in the U.S. and Canada. Mixed film and bags from retail collection showed a significant increase over 2012, second only to commercial mixed color material, the APR explains. End uses for recycled film are split almost evenly between lumber and film sheet, with lumber having a slight edge, according to the report.
The APR says the vision for its Film Committee is that all packaging films are recycled. The basic strategies for achieving that vision, according to the APR, are:
- driving more supply of high-quality clean film stock;
- supporting strong North American film markets; and
- inspiring consumers to recycle film packaging in a way that encourages the highest and best end use.
New Film Committee members include Trex, Procter & Gamble, EFS Plastics, WestRock (formerly MeadWestVaco and RockTenn) and PepsiCo Inc., bringing the membership to more than 20 companies.
“We are extremely pleased with the direction the APR Film Reclamation Committee has taken,” says Jon Stephens, senior vice president at Houston-based Avangard Innovative and chair of the APR Film Reclamation Committee. “This diversity of membership ensures that all points of view will be considered as the committee moves forward with its work.”
“We are extremely pleased with the direction the APR Film Reclamation Committee has taken,” says Jon Stephens, senior vice president at Houston-based Avangard Innovative and chair of the APR Film Reclamation Committee. “This diversity of membership ensures that all points of view will be considered as the committee moves forward with its work.”