Dive Brief:
- The Flexible Film Recycling Alliance has launched two commercial recycling pilot programs in California to better collect and recycle materials like film and wraps found in warehouses and distribution centers.
- In Sacramento, organizers will partner with 1-800-Got-Junk to target small and medium commercial film generators along its existing commercial service routes. Another pilot in the Ontario and Inland Empire region will focus on warehouse collection for large generators and will evaluate the logistics network of packaging distributor Shorr Packaging, which serves warehouse and distribution center customers.
- The pilots, which will run through Nov. 30, aim to track the two different approaches to collecting and recycling the material. FFRA plans to use the data it generates to build and scale future programs.
Dive Insight:
The pilots come as the recycling industry works through longtime challenges with collection, recycling and end markets for flexible and film plastic.
These materials are recycled at much lower rates than other types of plastic, and plastic film recyclers themselves are facing operational and economic hurdles. WM last year closed its Natura PCR plant in Texas, and Myplas in 2024 closed a major Minnesota plant just months after it opened. Film reclaimer GDB Circular has since bought the facility and restarted operations.
FFRA, an initiative founded by the Plastics Industry Association, has been working on boosting collection, recycling and end market development efforts since it launched in 2024. California is a notable focal point for FFRA, in part because of the state’s layered state laws governing recycled content mandates, extended producer responsibility and recycling labeling…