SPI Leadership Considers New Recycling/Recovery Initiatives; Your Participation Needed

October 26, 2012

Recycling and recovery is a growing issue for the plastics industry and of increasing interest to SPI members of all Councils. Companies are interested in improving recovery efforts and learning techniques used by others to build recovery into their operations.  SPI would like to gather information on the increasing quantities recovered and establish industry best standards for operations.

During September's SPI National Board meeting, the Material Suppliers Council, Processor Council and OEM Council held a joint session concerning SPI’s Recycling/Recovery Initiative.  Two survey vehicles were reviewed: the Post Commercial Materials Recovery Survey and the Benchmarking Tool for the Plastics Industry. 

• Post Commercial Materials Recovery Survey – How much of our post industrial waste is recovered, reused or diverted? How do we know if we are improving performance?   A draft survey vehicle was developed by member companies and presented for consideration. The goal is to provide companies an annual comparison of the industry's recovery/conversion efforts.   If you would like to see the draft, or participate on a Task Group to review and finalize it, email SPI's Terry Peters. The survey is scheduled to be released February 2013 in order to obtain 2011 and 2012 data.
• Benchmarking Tool – What do member companies do internally to address sustainability?  What are the standard practices?  How can a company assess itself? This second tool will outline best practices for a company's internal assessment of its recycling/recovery operation and provide aggregate industry indicators. The cumulative information provided by companies would be used to establish benchmark points.  Each company could compare itself to industry norms.  Based on comments received, a revised draft will be circulated in November. Once approved, this tool will be released in January 2013.

Each survey will provide valuable information to member companies.  They will also enable SPI to show that the industry is responding and improving green practices. Your participation is welcomed. For more information, materials suppliers email Terry Peters, processors email Patty Long and OEM/brand owners email Jackie Dalzell. 

Founded in 1937, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association promotes growth in the $380 billion U.S. plastics industry. Representing nearly 900,000 American workers in the third largest U.S. manufacturing industry, SPI delivers advocacy, market research, industry promotion, and the fostering of business relationships and zero waste strategies. SPI also owns and produces the international NPE trade show. All profits from NPE are reinvested into SPI’s industry services. Find SPI online at www.plasticsindustry.org and www.inthehopper.org.

"From resin suppliers and equipment makers to processors and brand owners, SPI is proud to represent all facets of the U.S. plastics industry," said William R. Carteaux, president and CEO, SPI. Our most recent economic reports show that the plastics industry as a whole is resilient, and has come through the recession significantly better than other U.S. manufacturing sectors."