Plastics Industry Association starts Flexible Film Recycling Alliance

The Plastics Industry Association (Plastics), Washington, has launched the Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA), an initiative to educate the public on the sustainability and recyclability of flexible plastic film products in the United States. The organization says the FFRA was created to improve the recycling of flexible film products by working to accelerate recycling rates, access and education.

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The FFRA will convene industry representatives from across the flexible film supply chain to develop solutions to address the challenges surrounding the recycling of flexible films and bags. The alliance will prioritize the following initiatives:

• Operation of a best-in-class plastic film recycling directory for use by both consumers and industry.
• Consumer education that provides information outlining the best ways to effectively recycle flexible plastic film products.
• Promotion of the most responsible uses and recycling methods for flexible plastic film products.
• Amplification of programming to inform both consumers and policymakers of the sustainability benefits of flexible plastic film products.

“FFRA includes collaborators from across the plastics supply chain and builds off Plastics’ successes, including Recycling is Realand Operation Clean Sweep,” Plastics President and CEO Matt Seaholm says in a news release. “We’re excited to continue to lead the effort to promote the sustainability and recyclability of plastics.”

Patrick Krieger, vice president of sustainability at Plastics, says the alliance’s first priority is to ensure that consumers know where to recycle and feel confident the materials they correctly dispose of are recycled into new products. “To that purpose, we are excited to create a modern recycling directory with new functionality,” he adds.

FFRA members will include representatives from the full plastics supply chain, as well as like-minded organizations and associations. Parties interested in learning more about the FFRA may contact KFisher@plasticsindustry.org.

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“The Flexible Packaging Association is excited to belong to the FFRA, a coalition that will focus on flexible film recycling store drop-off programs, including a much-needed sustainable solution to enable consumers to quickly and accurately find the stores that participate,” says Alison Keane, president and CEO of the Flexible Packaging Association. “Consumer education will also be key, and with this type of supply chain collaboration, we will be able to make the necessary impact required to promote this valuable collection system.”