Association of Plastic Recyclers Launches New Call to Action

American trade body the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) is to make a renewed push to encourage retail grocery chains to aggregate and market their behind-the-counter rigid plastics.

Recyclable items common to retail grocery stores include bakery and deli pails and buckets, seafood trays and lids, and bulk pharmaceutical containers, all manufactured from valuable high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) plastic resins. 

“The APR estimates that US supermarkets have the potential to generate over 300 million pounds of rigid plastics over the course of a year in behind-the-counter applications, including pharmacy stock bottles, which can double a store’s volumes. This is easily recoverable, stackable material, and is typically up to 450% more valuable per ton than old corrugated containers (OCC). We encourage grocery retailers to take a look at what this program can offer them,” said Kate Eagles, APR program director. 

“As a processor and seller of recycled HDPE and PP, we are always looking for new sources of recycled plastic supply, and I can attest to the domestic value of these retail grocery plastic materials,” added Brandon Shaw of Indianapolis-based Plastics Recycling Incorporated. 

The Association is “the voice of plastics recycling” and it represents the plastics recycling industry; membership includes independent recycling companies of all sizes, processing numerous resins, as well as consumer product companies, equipment manufacturers, testing laboratories, organizations, and others committed to the success of plastics recycling.