RECYCLING USA
US Plastics Pact oversight group creates PET reclaim scheme / Initial funding target set at USD 25 mn
 Coloured PET products are one target of the project (Photo: Fotolia) |
A US non-profit, the Recycling Partnership (Washington, D.C.; https://recyclingpartnership.org), says it has launched its PET Recycling Coalition, an initiative to improve PET circularity. The partnership administers US activities for the global Plastics Pact Network created by the UK-based Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF, Cowes; www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org).
The US group said the goals of the coalition are to increase the collection of PET bottles, unlock new supplies of rPET for packaging manufacturers, strengthen reclaim systems for pigmented and opaque PET, and broaden the acceptance of PET trays, cups, and clamshells in community recycling collection programmes. Members of the Recycling Partnership include resin makers Eastman and Indorama Ventures, Coca-Cola, Proctor & Gamble, and Walmart.
“The PET Recycling Coalition will make grants to recycling facilities for sorting equipment and related capital needs,” the partnership said. “These upgrades will improve PET bottle capture, deliver more rPET for use back into bottles and thermoforms, increase the acceptance of non-bottle rigid items in community recycling programmes, and strengthen recycling opportunities for pigmented and opaque PET.”
Related: US bans SUPs from national parks
The grants, technical assistance, and knowledge sharing are to be used to create “a thriving PET recycling system that captures significantly more material, enabling more circular PET packaging with increased amounts of recycled content”, according to the partnership, which said the coalition has set an initial funding target of USD 25 mn (EUR 24.5 mn) over five years and is seeking additional supporters.
“Eastman is deploying technology that transforms plastic ‘waste’ into valuable feedstock,” said Scott Ballard, president of Eastman’s plastics division. “And while making waste valuable improves the economics of recycling, we know technology alone cannot solve this crisis. Our country needs substantial innovation and investment in its recycling ecosystem.”
Related: US Plastics Pact calls for end of PS, EPS, and PVC packaging
The US group said the goals of the coalition are to increase the collection of PET bottles, unlock new supplies of rPET for packaging manufacturers, strengthen reclaim systems for pigmented and opaque PET, and broaden the acceptance of PET trays, cups, and clamshells in community recycling collection programmes. Members of the Recycling Partnership include resin makers Eastman and Indorama Ventures, Coca-Cola, Proctor & Gamble, and Walmart.
“The PET Recycling Coalition will make grants to recycling facilities for sorting equipment and related capital needs,” the partnership said. “These upgrades will improve PET bottle capture, deliver more rPET for use back into bottles and thermoforms, increase the acceptance of non-bottle rigid items in community recycling programmes, and strengthen recycling opportunities for pigmented and opaque PET.”
Related: US bans SUPs from national parks
The grants, technical assistance, and knowledge sharing are to be used to create “a thriving PET recycling system that captures significantly more material, enabling more circular PET packaging with increased amounts of recycled content”, according to the partnership, which said the coalition has set an initial funding target of USD 25 mn (EUR 24.5 mn) over five years and is seeking additional supporters.
“Eastman is deploying technology that transforms plastic ‘waste’ into valuable feedstock,” said Scott Ballard, president of Eastman’s plastics division. “And while making waste valuable improves the economics of recycling, we know technology alone cannot solve this crisis. Our country needs substantial innovation and investment in its recycling ecosystem.”
Related: US Plastics Pact calls for end of PS, EPS, and PVC packaging
08.07.2022 Plasteurope.com [250707-0]
Published on 08.07.2022