This article originally appeared in Plastics Machinery and Manufacturing on November 20, 2024.
As featured in Plastics Machinery and Manufacturing magazine on November 20, 2024, Ghislaine writes, “With the rise of recycled content mandates and extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs, the market for recycled plastics is growing rapidly. Research from Fortune Business Insights projects the global recycled plastics market to nearly double from $55 billion in 2024 to $107 billion by 2032. Although more companies are exploring the use of recycled materials in their products, post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic for food packaging requires the passing of several necessary milestones.
Polyethylene (PE) is commonly used in many types of food
packaging because of its versatility and barrier properties, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has strict regulations for food-contact PE. To produce food-contact mechanically recycled PE (rPE), all materials entering the recycling stream must meet the same standards as virgin food-contact PE.
Collecting film scrap intended for food-contact purposes requires recyclers to track the chain of custody for all incoming bales so the composition, manufacturer and use of the plastic can be validated.
This is a big ask for generators and recyclers; it requires coordination, diligence and innovative thinking to simplify plastic film collection for companies and retailers while asking them to pay close attention to PE packaging they view as waste.
Designing the necessary networks and protocols to produce food-contact rPE through mechanical recycling is a lot of work, but the lasting effects are worth the effort. Expanding the production of food-contact rPE will help bring about meaningful progress toward a circular economy for plastics and support a stronger supply chain for recycled plastic, leading to more use over time.”
Read the full article here on Plastics Machinery and Manufacturing.
Ghislaine Bailey is a senior product regulations advisor at NOVA Chemicals. In this role, Ghislaine tracks PFAS regulations and handles international food contact and chemical control compliance in NOVA’s product safety group.