Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor -- Packaging Digest

The Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI) recently announced the founding of the "Plastics Recovery Group" (PRG), a collaboration of businesses and organizations dedicated to creating solutions to expand the recovery and processing of used plastic foodservice packaging.

Today, a limited recovery infrastructure and end use markets result in valuable resources ending up in landfills. The PRG will serve as the catalyst to propel recovery of used plastic foodservice packaging in North America through the: 
• Development of the necessary collection infrastructure; 
• Expansion of the end use markets for recovered materials; 
• Education and engagement of consumers to increase recovery; and 
• Collaboration with government officials.

"The group is currently reviewing collection and processing opportunities that will allow cross supply-chain allies and partners to pursue a multi-faceted approach to recovery, using all potential landfill diversion options," reported FPI Vice President Natha Freiburg. Ms. Freiburg also shared that the PRG intends to pilot new projects throughout the value chain, test the economic viability of existing and future initiatives and work closely together with other organizations focused on plastics and packaging recovery.

The PRG is a separate member-funded project within FPI. Current PRG members include: 
• Absolute Plastics, LLC 
• Americas Styrenics, LLC 
• BASF 
• Cascades, Inc. 
• CKF, Inc. 
• Command Packaging 
• Convermex 
• D&W Fine Pack 
• Dart Container Corporation 
• Dyne-A-Pak Inc. 
• Eco-Products Inc. 
• Fabri- Kal 
• Genpak, LLC 
• HAVI Global Solutions 
• NatureWorks, LLC 
• Pactiv Foodservice/Food Packaging 
• Solo Cup Company 
• TOTAL Petrochemicals 
• WNA/Polar Plastic

Additional members are sought from all parts of the value chain including: raw material suppliers, converters, retailers/operators, waste haulers, recyclers, composters, waste-to-energy facilities, material recovery facilities and processors.

"Many of our members have already taken steps to launch company-specific recovery initiatives, but now is the time to develop sustainable, industry-led solutions across the entire value chain," said Ms. Freiburg. FPI is a key facilitator for the industry, bringing together its members to actively engage in proactive solutions. "The power of this organization lies in its member-directed dedication to the increased recovery of foodservice packaging through the PRG and its counterpart for used paper foodservice packaging, the Paper Recovery Alliance."