APC launches film recovery resource

Recycling Today, Sept, 2004

As part of its ongoing plastics recycling and market development activities, the American Plastics Council (APC)--a part of the American Chemistry Council--has launched www.Plastic BagRecycling.org, the most comprehensive online resource for plastic bag and film recovery in California.

The site is designed to further increase the recycling of plastic shopping and retail bags and clean plastic film, such as commercial stretch wrap and shrink-wrap.

Developed in conjunction with Moore Recycling Associates of Sonoma, Calif., the interactive Web site educates consumers, businesses and public agency employees about local film recycling opportunities.

Consumers can access the Web site to generate a list of grocery stores, recycling centers and transfer stations locally that are willing to accept plastic materials from the public. The Web site also includes a film identification section to help users determine acceptable material for their local drop-off locations.

Commercial users are able to access a number of sections of the Web site designed to assist them in developing a film recovery program. The various sections include information on markets, film identification, equipment, a calculator tool for determining the economics of recovery, clip art, sample market specifications and general handling and loading guidelines.

In addition, APC and Moore Recycling Associates will work to facilitate the development of new recovery programs within the commercial sector.

"This Web site is a very positive step towards sustaining and developing plastic recycling programs," Mike Vatuna, director of bulk materials with Trex Co. Inc., says.

Trex is based in Winchester, Va., and uses recycled plastic film to make composite decking material.

"As we see it, two of the biggest impediments to effective plastic recycling are understanding what needs to be done, and having effective communications to allow recycling to move forward. This Web site communicates both," Vatuna says.