Ideas for easing recycled content woes through policy, packaging

At the Plastics Recycling Conference, industry leaders discussed the challenges and progress in integrating recycled content into packaging. APR’s Kate Bailey highlighted the importance of aligning recycling policies with market demand and the U.S. economy.

Recycled content goals are ambitious, but business realities, such as costs and supply chain issues, complicate the process. Extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws are expected to help, but their impact will take years.

Innovations in plastic recycling, especially for film and flexible packaging, are crucial for meeting future goals. Companies are investing in technologies to address these challenges, with AI and improved sorting technologies aiding progress.

APR emphasizes collaboration across industries to ensure that recycling systems are effective and support long-term sustainability.

Read the full article from Waste Dive.