According to a report released by Moore Recycling Associates, Sonoma, Calif., an estimated 832.4 million pounds of post consumer film (including plastic bags and product wraps) were recovered for recycling in 2008. The total indicates a 28 percent increase since 2005.
The information comes from the latest “National Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic Bags and Film Report.”
Statistics included in the report come from information obtained from 79 domestic processors, end-users of film material and plastics exporters.
The report notes that while the total amount of plastic film recovered for recycling has grown significantly, the total amount of bag and film plastic recycled is likely underreported due to the difficulty in obtaining accurate export information. Meanwhile, the trend over the past year has been toward the export market.
Data collection also was affected by the rapid spike in the number of collection programs as many retail stores launched new programs to recover post-consumer plastic bags and product wraps from their customers. There are now retail store collection programs in all 50 states.
“More Americans are recycling plastic bags and film than ever before, driven by a growing recognition that plastic is a valuable resource – too valuable to waste,” says Steve Russell, vice president of plastics for Arlington, Va.-based American Chemistry Council (ACC).
“ACC will continue to work with grocers, retailers, communities and policymakers around the country to educate consumers and promote plastic recycling,” Russell adds. Last year, the Progressive Bag Affiliates announced a recycling goal of 40 percent recycled content in all plastic shopping bags made by these companies by 2015.
According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data, about 13 percent of plastic bags and film are recycled per year. While composite lumber continues to be the major market for recycled plastic bags and film, 2008 saw a notable increase in international demand for scrap plastic film.
The full report is available on www.americanchemistry.com/plastics.