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plastics recycling


State of Plastic Recycling
Plastics’ recycling is an established national industry. The number of companies handling and reclaiming post-consumer plastics (over 1,790) is nearly six times greater than in the early days, 1986 (310). The industry faces continuing challenges. However, over time, the recycling of plastics will continue to grow and become a more efficient and conventional segment of the national economy.

Plastic Recycling Statistics:

  • New Report Shows "Dramatic Increase" in Curbside Recycling of Plastic Bags and Film in Los Angeles
    This study commissioned by Los Angeles County Public Works reveals a 39 percent growth in the recycling of plastic bags and film in Los Angeles County between 2007 and 2009.
  • AFPR's 2008 EPS Recycling Rate Report
    The 2008 Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Packaging Recycling Rate Study (the “Rate Study”) was conducted by R.W. Beck on behalf of the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers (AFPR). To better track EPS recycling trends AFPR gathers data to reflect both post-commercial and post-residential collection streams. The results reflect an increase in the number of post-consumer pounds recycled in 2008 based on data received from fifty-one EPS manufacturers and independent recyclers in twenty states.
  • 2008 National Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic Bag and Film Report
    The 2008 National Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic Bag and Film Report is the fourth annual U.S. report on pounds of plastic bags and film recovered for recycling. (Generally in this report plastic bags and film will be referred to as “film.”). Research for this report was conducted by Moore Recycling Associates, Inc. of Sonoma, CA for the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) of Arlington, VA.
  • 2008 National Post-Consumer Plastics Bottle Recycling Report
    The 2008 edition of the United States National Post-Consumer Plastics Bottle Recycling Report is the 19th annual report on plastic bottle recycling. This study is a cooperative effort between the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and the Association of Postconsumer Plastics Recyclers (APR), the goal of which is to quantify the amount of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) bottles recycled, as well as the rate of recycling.
  • 2008 United States National Post-Consumer Report on Non-Bottle Rigid Plastics Recycling
    The 2008 National Post-Consumer Recycling Report on Non-Bottle Rigid Plastics is the second annual report on U.S. pounds of post consumer non-bottle rigid plastics (including packaging and non-packaging) recovered for recycling. Research for this report was conducted by Moore Recycling Associates, Inc. of Sonoma, CA for the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) of Arlington, VA.
  • 2007 National Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic Bag and Film Report
    The 2007 National Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic Bag and Film Report is the third annual U.S. report on pounds of plastic bags and film recovered for recycling. (Generally in this report plastic bags and film will be referred to as “film.”). Research for this report was conducted by Moore Recycling Associates, Inc. of Sonoma, CA for the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) of Arlington, VA.
  • 2007 National Post-Consumer Report on Non-Bottle Rigid Plastics Recycling
    The 2007 National Post-Consumer Recycling Report on Non-Bottle Rigid Plastics is the first annual report on U.S. pounds of post consumer non-bottle rigid plastics (including packaging and non-packaging) recovered for recycling. Research for this report was conducted by Moore Recycling Associates, Inc. of Sonoma, CA for the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) of Arlington, VA.
  • 2006 National Post-Consumer Plastics Bottle Recycling Report
    The 2006 edition of the United States National Post-Consumer Plastics Bottle Recycling Report is the 17th annual report on plastic bottle recycling. This study is a cooperative effort between the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and the Association of Postconsumer Plastics Recyclers (APR), the goal of which is to quantify the amount of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) bottles recycled, as well as the rate of recycling.  
  • 2006 National Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic Bag and Film Report
    The 2006 National Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic Bag and Film Report is the second annual U.S. report on pounds of plastic bags and film recovered for recycling. The report includes data gathered from both domestic and export post-consumer plastic film markets.   Research for this report was conducted by Moore Recycling Associates, Inc. of Sonoma, CA for the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council (ACC).
  • 2005 National Post-Consumer Plastics Bottle Recycling Report
    The 2005 National Post-Consumer Plastics Recycling Report is the 16th annual plastics recycling study. This study represents a cooperative effort between the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council and the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers. Designed to quantify the amount of and the rate at which post-consumer HDPE and PP plastic bottles were recycled in calendar year 2005, the reclaimer survey portion of the study was conducted by the engineering consulting firm of R. W. Beck, Inc.  
  • Plastic Recycling Facts
    Learn plastic recycling facts from the recycling infrastructure and recycling in communities to recycling quantities and rates and plastics in municipal solid waste.

Resources and Links:

*Recycling does not exist in all areas. Check to see if there is a recycling facility in your community.