News Release

ACC Releases First Report on Recycling of Non-Bottle Rigid Plastics in the United States

ARLINGTON, VA (February 24, 2009) – The American Chemistry Council today released the first report on the collection and recycling of post-consumer non-bottle rigid plastics across the United States. The report, prepared by Moore Recycling Associates, Inc., found that in 2007, over 325 million pounds of post-consumer rigid plastics were collected for recycling nationwide.

The report also found that in North American markets, much of the recycled material was used to manufacture new products, such as pallets, crates, composite lumber, and gardening items.

The category “non-bottle rigid plastics” includes nondurable items (or packaging), such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) tubs, polypropylene (PP) cups and similar food containers, and durable items, such as pallets, crates, carts, 5-gallon buckets and electronic housings.

According to the report, the use of non-bottle rigid plastic containers and packaging has increased over the last decade, and the number of communities collecting mixed rigid plastics also has grown in response to demand from domestic and export buyers. 

In 2008, twenty-eight of the one-hundred largest U.S. cities collected non-bottle rigid plastics through curbside programs, and a growing number of communities throughout the United States are recovering and recycling this material.

“Plastics are too valuable to waste. They should be recycled. We are delighted to see that communities, recyclers and consumers are recognizing the value of post-consumer non-bottle rigid plastics,” said Steve Russell, managing director for ACC’s Plastics Division. 

“ACC continues to promote recycling by providing technical support, increasing access to collection programs, and promoting greater consumer awareness,” Russell said. “This inaugural report on the recycling of non-bottle rigid plastics provides an important baseline from which we can track future progress.”

The report is based on data supplied by 31 post-consumer plastic processors, end-users and exporters as well as a significant number of municipal recycling facilities (MRFs) across the United States. 

The full report, “2007 United States National Post-Consumer Report on Non-Bottle Rigid Plastics Recycling,” is available on www.americanchemistry.com/plastics.