Recycling of Plastic Bags, Wraps and Film Rises to 1 Billion Pounds Annually, Most Sales to Domestic Processors

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - Feb 25, 2013) - The recycling of plastic film climbed four percent to reach 1 billion pounds annually in 2011 for the first time, according to a national report released today. The category of "plastic film" includes plastic bags, product wraps and commercial shrink film. The report, developed by Moore Recycling Associates, Inc. on behalf of the American Chemistry Council (ACC), noted that the recycling of plastic film has grown 55 percent since just 2005. 

According to the report, approximately 58 percent of U.S.-recovered postconsumer film was consumed domestically in 2011 -- up from 53 percent in 2010 -- largely due to growth in the plastic and composite lumber industry, the primary market for this material.

The composite lumber industry showed a 120-million-pound increase in consumption from 2010 to 2011 to reach 55 percent of the total market for recovered film. Consumption of postconsumer plastic film by the film and sheet industry, the second largest market for this material, held steady at 100 million pounds, or 16 percent of the total market.

Recycled polyethylene film is used to make a range of products, including durable plastic and composite lumber for outdoor decks and fencing, home building products, garden products, crates, pipe, and new film packaging like plastic bags.

Recovery data in the report, "2011 National Postconsumer Plastic Bag & Film Recycling Report," is based on a survey of 19 U.S. and three Canadian processors of postconsumer film along with 37 companies that export this material.

Through ACC's Flexible Film Recycling Group (FFRG), which represents resin producers, film converters, brand owners, and recyclers, the industry is actively working to increase both commercial and consumer participation in the film recycling process.

"Reaching the 1-billion-pound mark is an achievement that plastics makers, recyclers and retailers can be proud of," said Steve Russell, vice president of plastics for ACC, "and we're continuing to work together to get that number even higher."

There are currently more than 15,000 locations where consumers can bring their used polyethylene bags and wraps to be recycled, primarily at large grocery and retail chains across the United States. 

"In-store collection is absolutely critical for recycling plastic bags, wraps and other flexible film packaging," said Russell. "The infrastructure is there. The plastic film industry is now working to help grocers and retailers maximize the collection of this valuable material by sharing tools and best practices and through consistent customer education."

For up-to-date news and information on plastics recycling, follow @Recycle_Plastic on Twitter and "like" Recycle Your Plastics on Facebook.

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The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health and safety performance through Responsible Care^®, common sense advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and environmental research and product testing. The business of chemistry is a $760 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is the largest exporting sector in the U.S., accounting for 12 percent of U.S. exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development. Safety and security have always been primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts, working closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend against any threat to the nation's critical infrastructure.