The packaging industry is witnessing a significant shift toward recyclability, driven by consumer demand and sustainability goals. As the industry adapts, key players are grappling with the complexities of designing packaging that aligns with recycling infrastructure capabilities and market demands for post-consumer resin (PCR). One of the industry goals is the expansion of plastic recycling.
Jeff Snyder of Rumpke, which operates 14 recycling facilities, and Mark Agerton from Procter & Gamble (P&G) shared insights into the current state of packaging recyclability and the challenges faced by material recovery facilities (MRFs) and consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies at the Packaging Recycling Summit, Nov. 6-8 in Atlanta.
One of the most pressing issues is the need for packaging that can be effectively integrated into existing collection systems and separated into a marketable form. Rumpke has expanded its acceptance to include paper, plastic, and aluminum cups, recognizing the abundance of recyclable materials in landfills. The company emphasizes the importance of having multiple end users for recycled materials to ensure a stable market.
The Hefty EnergyBag program is one initiative aimed at addressing the problem of film recycling. Consumers within the MRF area can purchase orange bags at grocery stores, fill them with film plastics, and place them in their recycling bins for pickup. This program helps segregate plastic films, which are challenging for MRFs to process and directs them to suitable end markets.
