NAPRA coalition formed to accelerate plastics recycling in North America

A group of trade associations and nonprofits has formed the North American Plastics Recycling Alliance (NAPRA), a new coalition that is working to significantly grow plastics recycling in the US and Canada.

NAPRA represents the full plastics and recycling value chain from resin manufacturers and processors to brand owners and recyclers.

"Plastics recycling reduces waste and carbon emissions, saves energy, and conserves resources – all while providing jobs and benefitting the economy," said Steve Alexander, Executive Director of the Association of Plastics Recyclers. "The organizations that participate in NAPRA are committed to growing these benefits by accelerating progress in plastics recycling."

In recent years there has been dramatic growth in the types of plastics collected for recycling and consumer access to plastics recycling programs in North America. For example, the recycling of plastic film, a category that includes plastic wraps, bags and commercial packaging, has grown 74% since 2005 and reached a rate of 17% in 2013 with 1.15 billion lbs. recycled.

Additionally, US recycling of non-bottle rigid plastics has increased 300% since 2007 to over 1.0 billion lbs.

"Collaboration is the key to accelerating our progress towards a more sustainable society. The opportunity for effective improvement of plastics recycling can be greatly enhanced by the collaboration of NAPRA participants," said Nina Goodrich, Executive Director of Green Blue and the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, which founded the How 2 Recycle Package Label. "Collectively we can make a significant impact."

"Scrap plastic is a valuable resource, and represents a dynamic and growing segment of the recycling industry," said Robin Wiener, President of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries. "ISRI is excited to be part of NAPRA to work together to advance plastics recycling through improved communication and education."

NAPRA include the following organizations:

American Chemistry Council
American Institute for Packaging and the Environment
Association of Plastic Recyclers
Canadian Plastics Industry Association
Asociación Nacional de Industrias del Plástico AC
Carpet America Recovery Effort
Foodservice Packaging Institute
Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries
Keep America Beautiful
National Association for PET Container Resources
National Waste and Recycling Association
PAC, Packaging Consortium
Recycling Partnership
SPI – The Plastics Industry Trade Association
Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC)
Vinyl Institute (VI)