Association of Plastic Recyclers

The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) is “The Voice of Plastics Recycling.” As the international trade association representing the plastics recycling industry, membership includes independent recycling companies of all sizes, processing numerous resins, as well as consumer product companies, equipment manufacturers, testing laboratories, organizations, and others committed to the success of plastics recycling. APR works to enhance quality and increase supply through technical resources, testing programs, design solutions, corporate training, regulatory leadership and education programs.

PE & PP Resin Specifications

The APR strives to expand the recycling of plastic material through the development of resources to support state and local solid waste management and recycling officials to enhance their collection programs, increase the amount of material collected by those programs, and add value to the bottom line. According to an APR Survey on Residential Plastic Collection Programs, almost twice as many of each state’s largest cities now accept non-bottle containers than did five years ago. This rapidly growing collection has resulted in the need for market definition of bottle bales, non-bottle bales, and film.

To facilitate communications between bale producers (MRFs) and purchasers (PRFs and plastic reclaimers) APR, in collaboration with ISRI, has developed model bale specifications.

Although plastic film is not typically collected curbside, today, there are more than 18,000 locations across the United States where consumers can drop off used plastic wraps, bags and other flexible film for recycling. Most of these locations are at large grocery stores and retail chains.  Buyers of used plastic film generally prefer material that has been collected via stores (over curbside collection) because the material is typically much cleaner and easier to use.  Consumers can recycle plastic case wrap, shipping envelopes, zip-close food storage bags, plastic cereal liners, furniture and electronic wrap and more at these locations.