New Members for Recycling Demand Champions Campaign : APR Expands Plastic Recycling Campaign

The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) has enlisted new participants to a campaign to expand market demand for recycled resins and improve plastic recycling in North America.

In addition, APR said that it will expand the Recycling Demand Champions Campaign to include additional applications and material. The initial phase of the campaign focused on purchasing new volume PCR through “work in process” (WIP) durable goods, but has expanded to include any and all NEW applications for PCR.

“Although the initial phase of the campaign focused on WIP durable goods, such as pallets and crates, we quickly realised the opportunity to expand the program to include any new application for PCR,” explained Liz Bedard, Director of the APR Rigid Plastic Recycling Program.

“Through commitments to purchase WIP durable goods manufactured with broad specification PCR, or develop a new application for PCR, APR Recycling Demand Champions will make a significant and measurable impact in strengthening plastic recycling markets,” she continued

The new APR Recycling Demand Champions are: Nestle, Denton Plastics, and Champion Polymer Recycling. These companies join those that committed in October 2017: Berry Global, Campbells Soup Co., Coca-Cola North America, Envision Plastics, Keurig Green Mountain, Inc., KW Plastics, Merlin Plastics, Plastipak/Clean Tech Inc., The Procter & Gamble Company and Target Corp.

Demand Champions sign a commitment letter to identify and utilize WIP items with PCR content in their facilities, or detail another new application for PCR that will be developed within a year. As the program adds more participants, this will increase the demand for postconsumer recycled resins.

“The APR Recycling Demand Champions Campaign highlights manufacturing applications to utilise PCR, and was met with an overwhelming, enthusiastic response from plastic recycling stakeholders,” said Steve Alexander, President of APR.

“One manufacturer recently indicated intent to replace 250,000 wood pallets with pallets made with PCR, leading to more than 2 million pounds of increased demand in that one application alone,” he added.

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