The Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers has announced the publication of a model bale specification for polypropylene containers. “Historically, bale specifications have focused on PET and HDPE containers,” comments Scott Saunders, Chairman of APR and General Manager of KW Plastics. “The efforts of APR’s rigids program over the past four years have helped create a supply of polypropylene recycled content material available for the marketplace. This bale specification is recognition that the market has matured to the level where a specification is needed.”
“This is a big step forward in plastics recycling,” says Steve Alexander, APR’s Executive Director. “The effort to expand the recycling of containers beyond PET and HDPE has evolved to the point where polypropylene PCR is rapidly approaching critical mass. As the industry that recycles plastic, it is important we help the marketplace understand what constitutes the most optimal bale composition for the material.”
APR has developed a number of model bale specifications designed to guide the industry in creating bales of material for the recycling marketplace. The specifications are designed to reduce contamination of material, which is one of the biggest issues facing recyclers, and provide MRF operators with a guideline as what bale composition provides the highest value in the marketplace.
“The specifications are designed to inform MRF operators that bales adhering to these specifications are the most valuable to reclaimers,” says Steve Sikra, Section Head at The Procter & Gamble Company and Chairman of the APR Rigids Committee, which developed the specifications. “MRFs, reclaimers, as well as end users will benefit when contamination is reduced.”
