New Partnership Seeks to Improve Polypropylene Recycling

The Recycling Partnership has launched the Polypropylene Recycling Coalition, an industry collaboration to improve polypropylene recovery and recycling in the U.S. and further develop the end-market of high-quality recycled polypropylene.

The coalition is opening a Request For Proposals (RFP) for Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) to apply for financial grants to enable improved sortation of polypropylene and widen acceptance through consumer education programs in communities.

The Polypropylene Recycling Coalition, as part of The Recycling Partnership’s Pathway to Circularity Initiative, is supported by funders representing all segments of the material’s value chain, including founding members Keurig Dr Pepper, Braskem, and the Walmart Foundation. Additional inaugural members include American Chemistry Council, Danone North America, EFS Plastics, KW Plastics, LyondellBasell, Procter & Gamble, St. Joseph Plastics, and Winpak. The coalition set an initial funding target of $35 million over five years and is seeking additional supporters.

This industry-wide collaborative will address key opportunities in recycling PP, which has a relatively low recycling rate compared to other materials. According to The Recycling Partnership’s 2020 State of Curbside Recycling report, there may be as much as 1.6 billion lbs of PP available per year from single-family homes that could be recycled into new products ranging from automotive parts to personal care and food packaging.

The Polypropylene Recycling Coalition’s RFP will reportedly improve polypropylene recycling by awarding grant dollars to be applied to purchasing polypropylene sorting equipment and supporting consumer education programs in communities. Through funding like these grants, research, and consumer education programs, the coalition aims to make it easier for people to recycle polypropylene in curbside recycling and ensure that more recyclers can effectively sort the material in their facilities.

The Polypropylene Recycling Coalition will be aided by an advisory committee including, Association of Plastic Recyclers, Closed Loop Partners, Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners, Sustainable Packaging Coalition, and World Wildlife Fund. Former EPA Administrator Carol Browner will serve as an independent advisor to the coalition.