State of Plastics Recycling

Abstract

The number of plastics recycling businesses has tripled since 1990, with more than 1,700 businesses handling and reclaiming post-consumer plastics. Through their support of economically and environmentally responsible and sustainable plastics recycling, the plastics industry and organizations such as the American Plastics Council have played a role in that growth. During the period between 1990 and 1998, the plastics industry invested more than $1 billion to support increased recycling within the United Sates. This talk will highlight the state of plastics recycling and the challenges facing the industry. Lessons learned in plastics recycling may help guide carpet recycling to a greater level of success.