ISRI board of directors approves plastic scrap specifications

According to the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) “Leadership Update” email dated Nov. 9, 2016, the organization’s board of directors has approved postconsumer plastic scrap specifications.

ISRI’s Plastics Division approved the series of new, revised and deleted plastic scrap specifications prior to their presentation to the association’s board of directors at its Nov. 5 meeting in Salt Lake City.

ISRI says the changes are intended to better reflect the commodities that are being traded in the marketplace to assist members in buying and selling. The proposed plastic specification changes were developed in consultation with plastic scrap recycling industry members and other plastics industry associations.

The specifications, which can be viewed at www.isri.org/docs/default-source/commodities/plastic-specifications.pdf?sfvrsn=6, include renamed and revised descriptions for PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles, HDPE (high-density polyethylene) color bottles, tubs and lids, tubs and lids with bulky rigid plastic, 1-7 bottles and small rigid plastic, 3-7 bottles and small rigid plastic. MRF film was renamed to MRF curbside film, while HDPE natural bottles and mixed bulky rigids retained their names but were revised.

New specifications were added for PET thermoforms, HDPE injection bulky rigids, polypropylene small rigid plastic, polypropylene all rigid plastic, 1-7 bottles all rigid plastic, 3-7 bottles and all other rigid plastic, PE (polyethylene) retail mix film, LDPE (low-density polyethylene) colored film, LDPE furniture mix and PE clear film.

Specification for bulky rigid, premium film, A+ grade film, A grade film, B grade film and C grade film were deleted.