1. March 22, 2012
Bag & Film Recycling

2. Polyethylene Film & Recycling
ACC and CPIA have limited information on multi-layer films and therefore will focus this presentation on PE films
Plastic film is typically defined as any plastic less than 10 mm thick. The majority of plastic films are made from polyethylene resin and are readily recyclable if the material is clean and dry.
Mixing Plastic Film Types: Many buyers, or end users, accept a mixture of LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, and MDPE.
Check out for more information about plastics recycling, resin codes, and other types of plastic.

3. Determining the type of recyclable plastic film
Contaminated film such as agricultural films or film with residue such as glue or paint may not have a market even though the film is polyethylene.
LDPE#4 - Low Density Polyethylene (unpigmented films have high clarity, moderate stretch & strength characteristics) Bags (e.g., thicker newspaper bags, bread bags)
Bubble wrap (may also contain nylon)
Note: Bubble wrap recycling can be difficult without local markets due to shipping constraints.
LLDPE#4 - Linear Low Density Polyethylene (unpigmented films have moderate clarity, slightly tacky feel to the touch, stretchy) Stretch wrap
Bags (e.g. clear, thin newspaper bags)
Dry cleaning film
Agricultural films (silage bags, greenhouse films, wraps for hay bales)
Note: Because agricultural films often come in contact with the ground or most farm products, many recyclers currently reject this material due to contamination. Residue and paint used for UV protection are other contaminants often found on agricultural films.

4. Determining the type of recyclable plastic film
MDPE#4 - Medium Density Polyethylene (unpigmented films have moderate clarity, poor stretch and strength characteristics) Consumer paper packaging (i.e. toilet paper, paper towel)
Note: MDPE is a variation on the production of LDPE and is often labeled #4. It’s generally used as an alternative to other resins in film applications where strength is not required.
HDPE#2 - High Density Polyethylene (unpigmented films have some opacity, crinkle to the touch, low stretch, can tear easily, high strength) Most grocery bags
T-shirt bags
Bags with sealed air for packaging (e.g., air cushion)
Note: Release air from air cushions before including with bags

5. Agriculture Film Market
Categories of PE Film
Agriculture Film Market
Canada
Agriculture film market has just started.
Agriculture film to agriculture film.
EPR discussion for agriculture plastics (including film) has begun in western province lead by Clean Farms.
United States
Film and sheet market increased significantly in 2010, primarily due to recycled film resin used to manufacture agricultural film.

6. Categories of PE Film Consumer Uses Plastic grocery bags
Plastic retail bags
Newspaper bags
Dry cleaning bags
Toilet paper, napkin, diapers and paper towel wraps
Case wrap (e.g., snacks, water bottles)
Bread bags
Produce bags
Plastic food storage bags (clean and dry) – (e.g. Ziploc® Bags)
All clean, dry bags labeled #2 or #4

7. Categories of PE Film Commercial Uses Furniture wrap Electronics wrap
Plastic shipping wrap for clothing
Plastic shipping wrap for bulk food items
Plastic shipping envelopes
Tyvek house wrap (no glue, labels, other material)

8. US Film Recovery Data Overview
According to recent research:
More than 972 million pounds of bags and wraps were recycled in the US during 2010–up 50 percent since 2005.
Over a single year more than 117 million pounds of this material—a 14 percent increase—was recycled since 2009.

9. US Grades of Film Collected in 2010

10. More material is staying domestic

11. US Reclaimed End Uses

12. Collection Snapshot Variation between US and Canada Collection
US and Canada bag and film (consumer) collection differ
US collection - primarily at retail drop-offs/depots
Canada collection – primarily at curbside
Both mechanisms for collections can/should exist for collection models - Both have challenges
The industry encourages a multi-pronged collection approach
Collection plays a role in quality of material being received
Clean versus Dirty Material

14. Reach/Access Data United States Canada
56% of residents have access to curbside recycling of plastic bags and film.
United States
91-93% of consumers have access* to collection programs for recycling plastic bags.
72-74% of consumers have access* to collection programs for recycling plastic film and wraps.
Access includes collection via curbside (10 percent) and within 10 miles of a retail drop-off location—Source: Moore Recycling Associates, Sonoma California.

15. Market Players Exporters (41 participated in the US Study)
~15,000 drop-off locations according to Moore Recycling
Recyclers/Haulers (284 listed in PlasticBagRecycling.org)
Processors/Vertically Integrated End Users (20 participated in the US study)
Distributors/Wholesalers that backhaul scrap film (TBD)
Processors that can produce PCR FOR film (TBD)
Potential End Users of PCR FROM film (TBD)

16. North American Plastics Alliance
Pellet Containment
Recycling
Energy Recovery
Consumer Outreach
Advocacy

17. Flexible Film Recycling Group
Newly formed group of American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division launched February 2012).
Members represent full plastic film value chain: resin suppliers, film manufacturers, brand owners and recyclers.
FFRG’s major objective is to double the recycling rate of all PE film within the next five years by implementing programs to:
Raise consumer awareness and provide easy access to film recycling locations.
Identifying and removing barriers to film recovery.
Growing the infrastructure for commercial film recovery.

18. ACC Film Recycling Resources:

19. CPIA Film Diversion Work Group
Establish steering committee: CPIA members and industry stakeholders.
Terms of reference to possibly include:
Investments into R&D
Technologies – collection, MRF processing, recycling, PCR use and recovery
Establish associated projects.
Report on results: successes and future work
Iterative Process with a goal of continuous improvement.

20. Future Data Needs
APR’s potential design recyclability guidelines for PE film – looking specifically at additives
What data is missing?
Does this data fit the needs of the value chain?