Materials Recovery for the Future (MRFF) is a research project working to solve one of the biggest challenges in recycling today: recycle flexible plastic packaging curbside. Currently only polyethylene flexible film is collected for recycling, mostly at drop-off locations. Very few places in the U.S. collect this material curbside. Simultaneously, we see a move towards flexible, multi-material packaging as the preferred packaging format for a wide array of goods. Our research involves collecting this material curbside, sorting it at a material recovery facility (MRF) using existing, optimized sortation equipment, baling it, and identifying end markets for these bales. More than twenty companies, including brands, manufacturers, retailers, resin producers, and trade associations have come together to work together on this project. Our vision is simple yet important: flexible packaging is recycled and the recovery community captures value from it. We are currently in the last research phase, a pilot at a MRF outside of Philadelphia, Penn. For the first time, we are asking residents serviced by this MRF to put their flexible packaging in their recycling carts instead of their trash. This presentation will cover our research and the results of our final report, which will be released right around the time of the symposium.

Recycling flexible plastic packaging curbside: Materials recovery for the future

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.