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Waste & Recycling March 09, 2017 11:30:21 AM

Plastic Film recovered for recycling increased 3% in 2015

Paul Ploumis
ScrapMonster Author
According to the report, the recovery of post-consumer film has increased by nearly 34 million pounds in 2015 over the previous year.

Plastic Film recovered for recycling increased 3% in 2015

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The ‘2015 National Post-consumer Plastic Bag & Film Recycling Report’ released yesterday at Plastics Recycling Conference 2017 held at New Orleans indicates that a minimum of 1.2 billion pounds of post-consumer film including plastic bags and wraps was recovered for recycling in 2015. The report is prepared by Moore Recycling Associates Inc. for the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council (ACC).

According to the report, the recovery of post-consumer film has increased by nearly 34 million pounds in 2015 over the previous year. Also, 48% of recovered volumes were recycled by the US and Canadian processors, whereas the balance 52% was exported. The domestic purchases of post-consumer film surged higher by 11% in 2015. On the other hand, the export purchases have declined by 4%.

The survey classified plastic films into six categories-PR Clear Film, PE Mixed Color Film, PE Retail Bag and Film, MRF Curbside Film, PE Agricultural Film and Other Film. Out of these, PE Clear Film continued to remain as the largest category of plastic film recovered for recycling. With estimated 610 million pounds, it accounted for 51% of total films recovered for recycled. In second place was PE Mixed Color Film with 235 million pounds, accounting for 20% of total recovery. The recovery of PE Retail Bags and Film that includes post-consumer bags and wrap totaled 194 million pounds. PE Agricultural Films accounted for 12% of recovered films. The recovered quantity of MRF Curbside Films and Other Films were negligible.

The recovered volumes of PE Clear Film, PE Mixed Color Film and MRF Curbside Film increased in 2015. The largest increase of 43% was reported by MRF Curbside Film. PE Mixed Color Film registered 2% increase over 2014. The domestic processing volumes of the above categories witnessed rise during the year, whereas the other three categories reported decline. For instance, PE Retail Bags and Films recovery volume dropped for the second year in a row. A total of 221 million pounds of material belonging to that category were recovered in 2014. Other Films reported 76% plunge in recovered volume.

There was approximately 870 million pounds per year of plastic film reclamation capacity in the US in 2015. The year reported capacity addition of nearly 36 million pounds in 2015. Also, the capacity utilization rate of US capacities increased from 62% in 2014 to 66% in 2015. The rise in utilization rate was mainly on account of increases reported by several domestic reclaimers. Most of the US film processing capacity was represented by clean LDPE and HDPE film. Also, most of the facilities lack wash capacity, which is relatively costly.

Most domestic reclaimers noted that the environment has become more challenging in 2015 than the previous year. The market volatility has increased, mainly on account of struggles with crude oil and virgin resin. The value-gap between post-consumer and virgin resin has diminished further in 2015, the report noted. The end-use demand declined in 2015 due to competition from virgin resin.

The American Chemistry Council is an industry trade association for American companies, based in Washington, D.C. The Council’s mission is to promote the interests of companies engaged in the business of chemistry. It represents US chemical companies as well as the plastics and chlorine industries.

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