1. Cycled Plastics Plastic Recycling Markets and Trends

2. “Plastic’s 101” Most Common Misconception: All plastics with the same recycling symbol are recycled together. Examples: #1PET microwave dish cannot be recycled with #1 PET soda bottle. #4 LDPE butter tub cannot be recycled with #4 dry cleaning bags

3. Plastic Grades Blow Molding Grade: Water and sports drink bottles Extrusion Grade: Plastic lumber, vacuum formed trays, clam shell packaging Film Grade: Trash/grocery bags, pallet stretch wrap Injection Grade: Milk crates, battery cases High Melt: Clothing, carpet

4. Plastic Origins Post Industrial Manufacturing waste create during a process or obsolete / overstock inventory

5. Plastic Origins Post Consumer Has been utilized for its intended use. Can be generated by corporations

6. Plastic Type: #1 PET Blow grade (sports drink bottles) Extrusion Grade (food service trays) Injection grade (engineered moldings) High Melt (clothing and carpet fiber)

7. Plastic Type: #2 HDPE Blow grade (milk, household detergent bottles) Extrusion Grade (plastic lumber, drainage pipe) Film Grade (trash/grocery bags) Injection Grade (milk crates, shipping containers) High Melt (stadium cups)

8. Plastic Type: #3 PVC Blow grade (household detergent bottles) Extrusion Grade (home siding, clam shell packaging, pipe, fence, decking) Film Grade (medical i.v. bags) Injection Grade (shoe soles, automotive parts)

9. Plastic Type: #4 LDPE Blow grade (squeezable condiment bottles) Extrusion Grade (plastic lumber) Film Grade (packaging foam, dry cleaning bags, food storage bags, garbage bags, stretch film) Injection Grade (food container lids)

10. Plastic Type: #5 PP Blow grade (medicine and food condiment bottles) Film Grade (shrink film, potato chip bags) Injection Grade (packaging foam, bottle caps and closures, auto bumpers, battery cases) High Melt (brooms, brushes)

11. Plastic Type: #6 PS Extrusion Grade (foam packaging products) Film Grade (protective film and labels) Injection Grade (office products, durable goods components, cd jewel cases)

12. Recent Trends Post-consumer plastics recycled has increased every year since at least 1990. In 2005, a record 2,102,000,000 pounds 1. 1,170 million pounds of PET bottles were recycled in 2005. 1 HDPE bottle recycling increased in 2005 to 922 million pounds. 1 All plastic bottles were recycled at a rate of 24 percent in 2005. 1 1 American Chemistry Council, “2005 National Post-Consumer Plastic Bottle Recycling Report”. 2006

13. Rural Obstacles Lack of Community Support Limited funds allocated to recycling efforts Limited facilities and/or capacity

14. Rural Solutions Collecting / Recycling now: Get community leaders involved Get kids involved

15. Rural Solutions Collecting / Recycling now: Get community leaders involved Get kids involved Not Collecting / Recycling now: Central Collection: Stage collection bins / containers at local retail sites Unsorted Curbside Collection Public / Private partnership for remainder of the process Regional or consolidated processing facility / CO-OP

16. Definition: Recycling 1. Product manufactured with a recyclable plastic?

17. Definition: Recycling 1. Product manufactured with a recyclable plastic? 2. Collection efficiency / cost (i.e. curbside, muni drop-off, retail collection point, etc)

18. Definition: Recycling 1. Product manufactured with a recyclable plastic? 2. Collection efficiency / cost (i.e. curbside, muni drop-off, retail collection point, etc) 3. Established resale market

19. Definition: Recycling 1. Product manufactured with a recyclable plastic? 2. Collection efficiency / cost (i.e. curbside, muni drop-off, retail collection point, etc) 3. Established resale market 4. Self sustaining program

20. Less Energy The recycling process must NOT be financially or environmentally prohibitive in that: Less DIRECT energy consumed Less INDIRECT energy expended

21. Markets Public / Private partnership Put it out for bid: Brokers Intermediate Processors Manufacturers

22. Markets Brokers Buy & Sell Typically do not “touch” the product Minimum of 35,000 lbs. per truckload

23. Markets Intermediate Processors Grind, Wash, Dry, Pelletize Mixed truckloads common, lighter weight Catered programs / Waste Audits

24. Markets Manufacturers Purchase from collectors, brokers, processors Minimum of 35,0000 lbs. per truckload More difficult to setup catered collection

25. Pricing Trends Relationship of oil / natural gas prices to virgin resin

26. Pricing Trends Relationship of oil / natural gas prices to virgin resin Extreme Weather Hurricanes Katrina / Rita

27. Pricing Trends Relationship of oil / natural gas prices to virgin resin Extreme Weather Hurricanes Katrina / Rita Seasonal / Construction

28. Summary Inform your community Get civic leaders involved Create a “buzz” Be creative Reduce, Reuse, Recycle