APR grows its Recycling Demand Champions Campaign

The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) program that is designed to expand market demand for recycled resins and improve plastic recycling in North America has announced new participants during the Washington-based trade organization’s June meeting.

The APR Recycling Demand Champions Campaign seeks to expand the market for residential plastics, driving investment, increasing supply and producing more high-quality postconsumer resin (PCR). The initial phase of the campaign focused on purchasing new volume PCR through “work in process” (WIP) durable goods used in manufacturing facilities. It has expanded to include all new applications for PCR, as well as an increase in PCR usage in a current application.

“APR recognizes that many companies have historically incorporated PCR usage into their business practices,” says Liz Bedard, director of the APR Rigid Plastic Recycling Program. “We applaud and appreciate those efforts and encourage them to continue. However, APR Recycling Demand Champions commit to boost the current demand for PCR—it is all about new demand,” she continues. “Due to current market conditions, the critical need for an increase in demand has become glaringly apparent.” 

Four companies joined the APR Recycling Demand Champions Campaign in June:

• Avangard Innovative, a Houston-based plastics recycler and provider of waste management and recycling services;
• EcoProducts, a sustainable food service packaging brand based in Boulder, Colorado;
• Unilever, with global headquarters in the U.K. and U.S. headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey; and 
• UPM Raflatac, a Helsinki-based global supplier of pressure-sensitive label materials.

These companies join those that committed in October 2017 and February 2018.

“Demand Champions sign a commitment letter to identify and utilize WIP items with PCR content in their facilities, detail another new application for PCR that will be developed within a year or an increase of PCR usage in a current application,” Bedard says. “Within 12 months of becoming a Demand Champion, those companies must purchase or manufacture PCR containing item(s) and report to APR.” All data submitted to APR will remain confidential but will be aggregated and developed into a reporting tool, the organization says.

“We are pleased at the growth of this campaign, and, as predicted, it has already become a seminal program of APR,” says Steve Alexander, president and CEO of the trade association. “We commend the companies that have signed on to the program and look forward to working with them to expand the market for mixed residential plastics, increase the demand for postconsumer recycled resins and enhancing the plastics recycling industry.”