Another online resource is launching to help consumers find flexible plastic film recycling locations around the United States.
The Flexible Film Recycling Alliance, part of the Plastics Industry Association trade group, said the new Plastic Film Recycling Directory "aims to increase plastic film recycling rates across the United States by improving consumer access to recycling collection points, and providing clear educational resources on how to responsibly recycle plastic film."
FFRA seeks to improve flexible film recycling rates through improving access to recycling as well as education.
"FFRA's priorities include ensuring consumers know where to recycle plastic film and feel confident that their materials are being properly recycled. We believe this directory will play a critical role in increasing plastic film recycling rates across America," Patrick Krieger, vice president of sustainability for the Plastics Industry Association, said in a news release.
Plastics recycling has come under heavier scrutiny in recent years as opponents of using the material point to the relatively low recovery rates compared with other materials. Post-consumer plastic film, in particular, is a target for detractors because of an extremely low recycling rate in the low single digits. That compares with rates around 30 percent for both rigid PET and high density polyethylene.
The new directory, the FFRA said, is part of a "commitment to fostering greater transparency, collaboration, and progress in plastic film recycling.
To help improve recycling, FFRA said the group is pledging responsible collaboration, stakeholder engagement and candid transparency. Part of this work will include developing what the group calls a verification program for recycling efforts. The group also pledged to "address all constructive inquiries, share its responses publicly, and encourage stakeholders to submit requests to evaluate the alliance's impact."
"Within two years of the directory's launch, FFRA will publicly share verified data on its impact and progress towards increasing recycling rates," the group continued.
Post-consumer flexible films are easily noticed in the environment as grocery store bags and flexible packaging can blow in the wind, end up in trees and waterways. Their light weight can make them difficult to capture. And most municipalities do not accept flexible plastics in their curbside collection programs.
FFRA becomes the second effort to provide recycling information for flexible plastics in recent months.
Trex Co. Inc. launched its own online directory in the fall of 2024 called NexTrex. Trex is a major user of recycled plastic in the manufacture of its composite decking products. Trex created its directory after a former national directory was discontinued.
A previous online directory operated by Stina Inc., a well-known consultancy and technology company within the plastics recycling sector, closed in 2023 after losing funding. Even without outside support, Stina self-funded the previous directory for nearly a year before shuttering the service.